LWFChurchblog

Nehemiah 8:13-18 Feast of Tabernacles

2012-01-26T21:26:00.002-05:00

The Feast of Tabernacles

^{The people began reading the Word and realized that they should be celebrating one of the feast days. The Feast of Tabernacles was a time of remembrance. Tents or huts were made to remind the people of their time in the desert with just a tent or hut. The reenactment was to remind them of God's love and protection during the wilderness wanderings. They had rediscovered the God's command to remember and they wanted to start fresh in obeying God's Word. The feast days have always intrigued me with the food and object lessons. Can you imagine what it would be like as a child to build a hut and have it be your temporary home. The stories of God's provision and deliverance from slavery would be recounted. Even adults would be touched as they told of how Israel's needs were provided for in the midst of the hard ache they went through. Maybe you don't want to camp out for a week or so in a hut but there may well be some ways you can walk down memory lane and recall just how often God has met your need and helped you. Take some time today to examine God's goodness to you.}

¹³Now on the second day the heads of the fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law. ¹⁴And they found written in the Law, which the Lord had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, ¹⁵and that they should announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” ¹⁶Then the people went out and brought them and made themselves booths, each one on the roof of his house, or in their courtyards or the courts of the house of God, and in the open square of the Water Gate and in the open square of the Gate of Ephraim. ¹⁷So the whole assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and sat under the booths; for since the days of Joshua the son of Nun until that day the children of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness. ¹⁸Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day there was a sacred assembly, according to the prescribed manner.

Nehemiah 8:1-11 "Learning the Word'

2012-01-25T20:51:00.002-05:00

The Word

The people were unified desiring to have the Word of God read and explained to them. There had been a time when the word of God had been laid aside, but this people had a passion to seek the Lord with all of their heart and obey His commands. Reading chapter eight was encouraging to me in light of all the things that happened in earlier chapters with enemies from without and within. It the midst of such circumstances one could get cynical about everyone around them. Nehemiah understood that there were many good people who desired the things of God.

Ezra and the scribes read the Word

Ezra and the scribes read the Word
The people both men and women came to listen to Ezra read the Word of God. The scribes broke down the word and explained in such a way the people would understand. Everyone was willing to spend time listening and learning. They wept perhaps because they realized all they had missed with a lack of knowledge about the Lord and His Word. Ezra and Nehemiah had a different take on the situation. They advised the people to rejoice with rich foods and gifts because it was a day when the people gathered to hear and understand the Word and their heart was after the Lord.

We can have the same passion
I get so blessed when I go to the studies and see people hungering after the Word and after the presence of the Lord. Don't let the Word and His presence be put on a shelf...God desires to ignite a fire within us that will bring joy and peace to our lives. This revival of spirit is more than a head knowledge it is a passion to know God with the heart. Some days it may seem like a sacrifice to come into His presence and read His Word....yet we can come with joy because God honors those who diligently seek him.

Nehemiah 7 "Guard what you've built"

2012-01-24T21:35:00.002-05:00

Guard what you've built.

When God first puts something on our heart and gives us a dream to go forward we often don't realize the sacrifice and struggle that is involved in doing the work and trusting God to make it happen. It takes grit to complete the task. Today I pondered all the obstacles Nehemiah faced as he rallied the people to complete this huge task. He had to overcome the discouragement that had settled over Jerusalem, the removal of great amounts of rubble from the old wall, the fierce threat of enemies, and finally the unholy actions of the nobles who should have been in sync with God's plan but instead were "in bed" with God's enemies. Finally the task was complete, but that didn't mean it was the end of the work. Nehemiah knew that the wall had to be guarded and the people had to remain diligent. He assigned his brother Hanani along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress to govern the city of Jerusalem. He also arranged for the people to guard the wall both from century post and from their homes. He had the people register their heritage so that they would be properly placed.

What are you guarding?
God gives us some pretty understandable things to guard and keep tract of in our life. Just because a task is completed doesn't mean all is completed.

Nehemiah 6:15-19 "Disloyal leaders"

2012-01-23T20:24:00.005-05:00

^{Nehemiah 6:15-19
15} So on October 2^[d] the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. ¹⁶ When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.¹⁷ During those fifty-two days, many letters went back and forth between Tobiah and the nobles of Judah. ¹⁸ For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him because his father-in-law was Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. ¹⁹ They kept telling me about Tobiah’s good deeds, and then they told him everything I said. And Tobiah kept sending threatening letters to intimidate me.

Wrong Allegiances
This portion of Scripture is so sad to read. Yet that same thing happens today. Some of the leaders of the people had connections to a person who did not want God's people to succeed in building the wall. Marriage connections to powerful families had caused some Jews to be willing to align with a man who really had no love for their people. He endeared himself enough to make some extol his supposed good deeds to Nehemiah. Not everyone who appears to do good things has the best interest of God's people in mind. His actions against the wall should have shown these powerful men his true character. The wall represented protection against enemies. It would protect the city from attacks. They sent letters back and forth and telling him what Nehemiah said. These people were blinded by this man and his sideline "good deeds" that they could not see his disdain for the wall confirmed his true character and thoughts about God's people. These people actually hurt the cause of God for their own people because of their connections and because they allowed themselves to believe a lie.

Connections
We need to be careful about our connections too. While I'm not advocating we go about accusing people or looking for trouble, we must be careful and know the plan of God being aware of those who do not promote it. Even if we have connections because of marriage, friendships, or the recommendations of someone we respect it is so important to look at character and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Disloyal Leaders
The sad part of this reading is that these leaders seemed duped by those they allowed to have power in their lives. They didn't seem the kind that would out of the blue reject the blessing of God upon their own people. Instead they were fooled by supposed good deeds and connections to important people.

Nehemiah 6: 1-14 But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

2012-01-21T12:40:00.004-05:00

In today's world we need Nehemiah's to rise up and pray in the midst of plots, lies, and attacks against the gospel as he did. "Now Strengthen my hands" (vs 9)

More Threats
We find Nehemiah and the people steadily working on the wall. The enemies of God, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem were still getting angry about it. They sent message after message asking for a meeting. An unsealed letter was also sent (so others could read it and become afraid) accusing the Jews of desiring to make Nehemiah king so they could revolt against the king. They threatened to get word back the king of this plot.

They just want to scare us into backing down.
Nehemiah's assessment was that these enemies were doing their best to scare both he and the people from finishing God's project. So he sent them a reply by messenger. Kind of reminds me of email. ^"8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” ⁹ They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” I want you to think about a few things here. First, Nehemiah had to rely upon his character that he had built with the king during his time of service. Our everyday life of hard work and loyalty really do matter and will effect our mission. Second, Nehemiah wasn't fooled. He knew their plan and he prayed against it. They wanted him to become weak...his prayer was that his hands be strengthened. We need to pray and declare the opposite of what the enemy is trying to proclaim over us.

Prophets of Doom hired by enemies
Folks who called themselves prophets called Nehemiah and tried to get him to go to the temple for sanctuary because that was the only way he could protect himself against those who wanted to kill him. It was not God but a trick. It is a sad state when sometimes even those who use a cloak of spiritually really are hirelings. Nehemiah's prayer life caused him to see this for what it was. We hadn't heard about it throughout the book, but apparently these prophets had been trying to intimidate him all along.

Prayer.
Father, we ask in Jesus Name that we would discern the plots of the enemy like Nehemiah did. We pray along with him, "Strengthen our hand".

Remember me O God: Nehemiah 5

2012-01-19T19:15:00.004-05:00

Some rabbi's and commentators get a little upset with Nehemiah's closing remarks in chapter 5. They think he was presumptuous about God's blessing and his works.

He says,
Nehemiah 5:19Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.

I'm taken with Nehemiah's life of prayer, his treatment of others and his desire to see righteousness in his people. Nehemiah was willing to speak for those who were being mistreated and didn't have the power to change things on their own behalf. He saw things in society that were wrong and addressed them. While some folks may not like his words to me they confidence in God's blessing upon righteousness.

Mistreatment: Nehemiah 5
Smack in the middle of all of the problems with enemies fighting against the building of the wall and the discouragement among the ranks we find some disturbing facts about the officials and nobles of the people. The rich were charging high interest to other Israelite's who needed help to pay taxes. Some of their children had been sold into slavery. They cried out to Nehemiah and declared that their children were just as important as the children of the rich. Homes and lands were lost to the profiteering of the nobles. Nehemiah rose up and decried this injustice....and demanded that they stop mistreating the poor and give back the money and lands that they wrongfully had taken.

Nehemiah 5:9-11
⁹ Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations? ¹⁰ I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest. ¹¹ You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. And repay the interest you charged when you lent them money, grain, new wine, and olive oil.”

Nehemiah was a man that would not let go whether against foreign enemies or Jewish nobles who took advantage of their countrymen. When we are trying to do God's will and there are ungodly issues in our lives that we have not dealt with God brings those things to the surface. The wall which would bring protection was God's plan...but sin against others would hinder what God was doing. When something comes to the surface in your life it may well be that God is helping you to repent and walk uprightly both to safeguard you and to bring about greater blessing. The officials and nobles repented. What areas to do you see in your life....What areas are you willing to address in your circle.

Nehemiah talked to God and others about about how he did not exploit the people as other governors had. He ends with this statement.
Nehemiah 5:19Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.

Nehemiah 4:10-21: Remember the Lord

2012-01-18T17:36:00.006-05:00

Nehemiah 4:10-13
Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” 11 Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.” 12 The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”[e] 13 So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

The enemy wants to swoop in and the local news is broadcasting "Attack is imminent". I don't know about you, but sounds like a scary problem. The enemy must have surely thought he had them just where he wanted them. Nehemiah set guards according to families. Let's take a look at his reaction.

It must have been disappointing to Nehemiah to have come so far only to come to this place. He'd done all the right things. He had prayed for favor to come and received it, he accessed the situation and cast the vision to the people and gained approval and cooperation and unity, and the wall was half done with the gaps being filled. He'd spoken directly to the enemy and informed them that they had no part in Jerusalem and its inheritance. Yet now it could all be lost and the people were becoming discouraged and afraid. It was a turning point. He could have given up...after all there were very real threats for the safety of the people. Instead of throwing in the towel...he called the people together. Here are the inspirational words he spoke.

Nehemiah 4:14

14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

He looked the situation in the eye and declared. God is with us...Don't let this throw you...fight for your families. God brought us this far so he will take care of us. The road to God's will often has obstacles placed by the enemy of our soul...but those w ho complete the course please Him.

Strategic Plan
Nehemiah 4:15-23 and hard work

¹⁵ When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. ¹⁶ But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah ¹⁷ who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. ¹⁸ All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.¹⁹ Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. ²⁰ When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!” ²¹ We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. ²² I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. ²³ During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.^[f]

Nehemiah: What to do when things get heavy.

2012-01-17T20:51:00.000-05:00

Nehemiah: 4:7-8 Intensified Attacks

7 [d]But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

The Jews had been working together in a spirit of unity repairing the wall of Jerusalem. They believed God was doing a work and put their heart into doing their part. They had endured the ridicule of enemies who spoke against them and God's plan. Steadily these enemies put more pressure on the workers in order to keep them from completing the wall. Completion would cause these enemies to lose power and show God's hand toward His people. When intimidation didn’t stop the work the ante was raised to threats of physical confrontation that could result in deaths and confusion. The Jews prayed and began to guard the city day and night.

Wow. Things sure heated up in Jerusalem. Sometimes that happens in our lives too. We start a the path that God has set before us trusting Him to help us do our best to honor Him. When obstacles come it can grow harder to remain steady to the course. The Jews prayed and set a guard.

Nehemiah 4:10

10 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

Sometimes feelings can lead us astray. The workers became tired and overwhelmed with the tricks of the enemy. There was a choice to be made. The task seemed way too big for them and discouragement and disappointment threatened to derail progress. What would they do? Sometimes we just want things to go smoothly without a hitch, but the real test is what we will do when the pressure comes. Nehemiah wisely prayed and remained steady and gave the workers a good example. Whether we are the lead or a worker on the line we can learn from this. Maybe we’ve fallen prey to the enemies tricks in the past but when we know the plan of God we can remain steady despite attacks. Brush off feelings of failure and lack of confidence and listen for the voice of the Lord. It may seem like a battle at present, but Jesus always has a plan for success when we listen to Him.

Intensified Attack.

2012-01-16T20:54:00.001-05:00

Intensified
Is the enemy getting angry because his attacks are not keeping you from moving forward? Sometimes the attack will intensifiy with greater attacks. It is important. Nehemiah and the Jews faced the same thing when the wall was at half height. Intimidation didn’t stop the work and that made their enemies furious. You will sometimes see and intensification of the battle in such cases.

Nehemiah 4:6-9
6 At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm. 7 [d]But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8 They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

Sanballat increased his assault as well as influencing more groups of people in the surrounding area to join with him in his attack and hatred towards the Jews. They were incensed that their intimidation didn’t stop the wall from going forward. So they plotted together to physically attack the city and bring great confusion. Today was like this for me and it took me awhile to see what was happening. I’d overcome attacks and the devil’s whispers….so he launched an all out attack . I missed the truth of it for awhile and fell prey most of the day, but God in His Great Mercy kept speaking to my heart. The Jews had to guard the city….we need to guard our heart.

Nehemiah 4:1-6:Tactics of the enemy Part 1

2012-01-15T19:17:00.004-05:00

Nehemiah 4:1-6
Tactics of the enemy and ways to overcome

Nehemiah's book reminds me of real life and the spiritual battles we face. Throughout the book we will see core enemies again and again. It will become apparent that these enemies have intertwined themselves in such a way that one would never imagine. Yet God gives wisdom to Nehemiah and those who will work toward God’s plan for Jerusalem. The enemy has many weapons that we need to be aware of in our walk with God.

Intimidation
Nehemiah 4:1-3

1 [a]When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” 3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”

Sanballat and his team were human beings, but they give us information about how the enemy of our soul works to bring destruction. The first thing we see here is intimidation and the casting of doubt. He calls the Jews feeble and mocks their ability to accomplish the task. He intensifies weakness instead of what unity under God can do. Think about this a moment. Are there things that God has placed in your heart that have been set aside because of the enemies tactic of ridicule and doubt casting? Don’t brush over this question. You may well find yourself realizing that you laid down the dream because of the enemies voice of intimidation. He may use people or simply plant a thought of inability in your mind. The question is what are we going to do with those voices the enemy yells in our ear?

Nehemiah 1:4-6

4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of[b] the builders. 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.

The people worked with all of their heart despite the insults and mockery thrown their way because they trusted God and Nehemiah’s leadership of steadfastness. Nehemiah’s response was so important because it would determine what those under his leadership would do. If he gave up and accepted the seeds of doubt and inability it would funnel down to the workers. He had to stand firm in what God told him and in God’s ability. You see it wasn’t just what he thought he could do…it was about what God could do through yielded vessels who understood the need to reject the tactics of the enemy and believe what God said to be true. Notice the prayer of Nehemiah. Basically, “Lord, I trust you to deal with these enemies.”

Nehemiah 3: Putting Your Shoulder to the Work.

2012-01-12T19:48:00.009-05:00

Unity
Chapter 3 is an amazing chapter that relates to any project God asks you to undertake. It gives the names of groups of people who worked on the wall. People of differing social standings began to work together on the wall that was near their dwelling. Priest, perfumers, sons, goldsmiths and even a father and his daughters worked on the wall. When we get in line with God's vision, God's leader, and work together God will bless the work of our hand.

Unfortunately we also read in this chapter about some nobles (leaders) that refused to put their shoulders to the work. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.[a] We don't know why these leaders didn't take part. Perhaps they didn't want to be under Nehemiah's direction.>>> Whatever their reason they lost the blessing of God and surely were not a good example.

Whether our current God project involves church, home or community it is important to follow His lead, His leaders, and put our shoulders to work in a spirit of unity. All those who willingly do this are surely leaders to be admired.

Take a minute to read Nehemiah chapter three and ponder how God can use unity and the hard work of individuals to fulfill His purposes.

Nehemiah: Sharing the Vision

2012-01-11T21:24:00.004-05:00

^{Yesterday we talked about being careful about sharing the vision the moment God gives it to us or the even when we are in the midst of the people God has called us to. There is a correct time and sometimes we are called to survey the situation and seek God's timing. After Nehemiah accessed the situation and had a better appreciation for what needed to be done he knew it was time to cast the vision to the leaders of his people.}

^{Nehemiah 2:17}-18

<<<<18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. >>>>

In ancient days a wall around a city was protection against enemies who would invade and plunder at will. Nehemiah told the leaders what they already knew and encouraged them to rebuild the wall so that they would no longer be sitting ducks for their enemies and publicly disgraced. Sometimes we know the problem but don't know how to solve it...God brought Nehemiah to show God's plan. Nehemiah shared with them the story about how God had given him favor with the king and provision for the job. The plan was accepted and the work was to be started.

Enemies Mock: Nehemiah responds

Nehemiah 2:¹⁹-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?”²⁰ I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”

Get used to seeing these enemies throughout the story of Nehemiah. They hate the people of God and anything that would help give courage and peace to Israel. Nehemiah's reactions keep everything going according to God's plan. Remember your reaction to the devil and his assaults can make or break a situation. First of all, remember God's plan is to prosper His people and to see their good come about. Remember also that even things that seem impossible are possible with God. Nehemiah's enemies try to claim they have a right to the land...Nehemiah lets them know that in reality they hgve no historic right to the land. The enemy of our soul tries to destroy God's plan....I'm convinced we can like Nehemiah stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord.

Nehemiah: When not to broadcast your vision.

2012-01-10T18:27:00.005-05:00

Have you ever had a time where God spoke to you and you couldn't wait to tell folks about it. It is truly amazing when God places vision in the heart of a person. It might be vision for your future or some needed information and wisdom about a situation in your life. The Word tells us that, "His sheep know His voice." Nehemiah knew what it takes awhile for many of us to learn. We are not necessarily suppose to blab the vision the minute the Lord reveals it too us. So far in Nehemiah's journey he had only told the governors of the Trans-Euphrates by giving them a copy of the kings letter on his way home. His enemies had learned of his plan this way and began scheming. One would think as long as he had given the governors the letters he should just tell all the home folks as well. Nehemiah didn't do that. He wanted to get a first hand look at the problems himself rather than rely on second hand information. So he went throughout the route of the wall and accessed the damage himself. When Nehemiah did speak with the elders it would be with knowledge.

Has God shared something with you? Ask him what if anything you should share with others at this moment. Perhaps there is a waiting period. You can use that time wisely by allowing the Holy Spirit to help you be prepared for the task and how best to present it.

Nehemiah 2:11-16
¹¹ So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. ¹² Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. ¹³ And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. ¹⁴ Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass. ¹⁵ So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. ¹⁶ And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work.

Nehemiah 2 : Enemies Revealed

2012-01-09T20:51:00.007-05:00

^{Nehemiah had been given the favor of the Lord. The king had given him favor and help for his mission. This of course became known to others.}^{Nehemiah 2:10
10} When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

Doesn't it baffle the mind that when God gives favor there is often an enemy that emerges? Sanballat name means the god of sin (moon god) . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_(mythology) We will see these enemies as the story continues. They have no desire to see God's people succeed. Nehemiah fights the enemy with God's power and so can we. When ever we do some thing great for God we will see resistance from God's enemies.

Whenever we have a God given dream in our heart the devil fights. He uses people, intimidation and a whole arsenal of weapons. The Word tells in Ephesians 6:12, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

As we read we further we will see how Nehemiah fought this and how he avoided getting entangled with the enemies plans. Sometimes our own flesh can bring hurt to God's plan. Remember too that not everyone who doesn't understand the vision is not the enemy (such a person can bring discouragement if allowed but by givng vision or by simply going about the cause can bring victory)....the enemies introduced understood clearly....they didn't want Isreal to be blessed of God or succeed in anyway. We will learn the difference between enemies and the uninformed as we read this amazing book of the Bible.

God is still able and is greater than any enemy.

Nehemiah: The Favor of the Lord

2012-01-08T22:16:00.001-05:00

Last week we completed chapter one of Nehemiah. We find Nehemiah accepting God’s call to help his people and praying for the favor of the Lord upon him. It is revealed that Nehemiah was the kings cup-bearer.

1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

Favor can come in the midst of our daily life. Nehemiah didn’t barge in to the king and demand anything. God brought prepared the kings heart. You may not be in a palace, or work for a politician like Nehemiah but God can still bring the right person into your life. It is not always quite what we expect. Nehemiah was afraid when the king noticed his sadness because a cup-bearer or advisor of the king was not to show his own cares….he was to concentrate on the needs of the king. Yet God prepared the kings heart to care about Nehemiah and Israel. Nehemiah…spoke up when asked and began to share his heart about why he was sad and what God had put on his heart. We have to be careful not to let fear keep us from favor.

4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” 6 Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. 7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. 9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

Have you ever thrown up a quick prayer in the midst an important situation? He hears. When we have prayed and believed He is in the midst and can help us say and do the right things. The queen sat by the king that day (a practice that was employed to bring mercy) Nehemiah was asked what he wanted. He could have just asked for permission to take time off to go to Jerusalem and access the situation. Instead he went beyond the obvious and asked for more. His request was granted.

Nehemiah: Bold in Prayer

2012-01-05T20:30:00.002-05:00

Bold Prayer
Sometimes we are afraid to pray bold prayers. Maybe we've been disappointed. Perhaps we are not confident we can succeed in the en-devour the Lord has put before us. We cannot do it on our own. This week as we've studied Nehemiah we've seen God place a burden upon his heart, we've seen him pray day and night and fast before the Lord, We've seen him humble himself before the Lord and admit his sin, the sin of his family and the sin of his nation. He positioned himself for favor. Nehemiah's boldness involved a prayer to bring favor before the king of Persia. He was the kings cup-bearer.

Nehemiah 1:10-11

¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cup-bearer to the king.

Influence
Nehemiah was in an influential position. His job was to keep the king safe from poisoning by tasting the food first. Cup-bearers also became confidants and advisers to the king...no doubt due to the access they had and their willingness to risk their lives. However, that didn't mean that the kings heart would honor God and Nehemiah's heart's desire to help his country. Thus the bold prayer in the natural was a risk. Nehemiah bold prayer may be called presumption by some...but to me it spells faith.

Nehemiah: If you confess your sin.

2012-01-04T20:56:00.003-05:00

Nehemiah 1:5-11

⁷We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. ⁸Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: ⁹But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. ¹⁰Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

Nehemiah knew the history of his people and that they had not kept God's commands. He realized that their present situation was based upon their past behavior of disobedience. The New Testament tells us, James: 4:⁷ ; When we yield to God in obedience the devil must run in Jesus Name when we resist him. Sometimes we are waiting for a huge revelation about how to have the power of God in our lives and we miss the obvious promise to those who obey. Nehemiah reminded God that when the disobedient turn from their way and obey God he will gather them to Himself. He promised the Jewish nation that He would gather them back to Jerusalem. I mentioned yesterday that Nehemiah prayed for the nation and admitted both personal sin and national sin. God has an assignment for you...He is in the process of revealing it to you. Take an inventory and ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything that needs repentance in your life. Obedience from the heart and out of love for God brings power and victory. It doesn't mean there will be no problems to overcome...but it does mean God will be with you.

Here is a promise that gives great comfort.

I John 1:9
⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

⁹

Nehemiah: God Keeps Covenant and is Merciful

2012-01-03T21:42:00.002-05:00

Nehemiah 1:5-11

Nehemiah’s prayer takes up the rest of chapter one. Go ahead and read the whole prayer and we will discuss portions of it the rest of the week.

God Keeps Covenant and is Merciful

5And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
6Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

A covenant is an agreement. God doesn’t break His word. He keeps covenant…take a minute and ponder that. He remembers what He has said and promised. He works this divine trait in us as well. Psalms 15:4 talks about how we are to keep our word even when it hurts. Perhaps the Israelites wondered if God was still willing to remember them. Things were not looking good for them at the moment. Nehemiah’s prayer reminds us that we serve a merciful God. When we love Him and are obedient His mercy overflows towards us. Verse 6 starts a very important part of the prayer. Nehemiah asked God to listen to his prayer and then he confesses that he and his people have sinned. Nehemiah is placing himself and the nation in a position of receiving God’s mercy. Tomorrow we’ll see Nehemiah getting more specific about what went wrong…but today we will simply ponder the fact that sometimes our situation has to do with disobedience….and that God hears a repentant heart. Notice also that God can use one of His people to begin repentance for a group.

Nehemiah: Allowing God to make His heart's desire our heart's desire

2012-01-02T20:47:00.004-05:00

God's Heart desire.

Yesterday we found Nehemiah in the palace in Persia. We will see as time goes on in our study that the Lord had Nehemiah placed where he could make a difference concerning the problems in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1:3-4 says,

³And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.⁴And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

Nehemiah's brother tells him that things are not good in Jerusalem. This passage reminds me that "the steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord". Here is a man that as we will soon see had an important job in a large kingdom. He was in the palace , a place of luxury, and a place of influence. He grew up knowing that the God of Israel had plans to restore what was lost to them. Knowing all of this didn't mean he had to act. He could have excused himself of caring too much about the condition of his people's home land...after all he was a busy man and could have even reasoned within himself that his current position was too important to give up not just for himself, but for his people.

Think about this for a moment. We all have times when we have to discern if something we've learned about is meant to be our passion. Nehemiah knew within his heart that God wanted him to do something, but he wasn't sure what his role would be yet. He started at a place many skip altogether. Prayer and fasting. Some people would get stuck with the weeping and the mourning and go nowhere, some would shake off the weeping and mourning and go on about their business. Nehemiah determined to seek the wisdom and revelation of the Lord. He cast this great care upon the Lord and asked God to make clear what he was to do. I'm convinced we can do the same thing. We can cast the burden on Jesus and seek His council about what to do about what is presented to us in our everyday life. He can help us find our passion and make a positive difference in our world. Take time to pray and fast this week if even only a meal seeking His goals and passion for your life.

Nehemiah: News From Home

2012-01-01T23:00:00.005-05:00

The last several days the Holy Spirit has prompted me to read the book of Nehemiah and let it speak to my heart. I’d like to share some of the wonders of the King of Kings with you. Nehemiah was originally included with the book of Ezra. So after you read Nehemiah you might be interested to read Ezra which actually is chronologically before Nehemiah. Let’s not be in a hurry to get through the book. This week we will concentrate on chapter one. Feel free to read the chapter everyday as we go through it step by step. Write down your own insights as the Holy Spirit speaks to you.

Nehemiah’s family line had been taken to Persia in the dispersion when disobedience towards God had caused the Israelites to be taken captive. Daniel was one of the captives who was used of God at the beginning of the captivity and is still an example of trust in God. Jeremiah had prophesied about it and declared it’s length would be seventy years. In Ezra’s time God gave favor to the Israelites and many were allowed to go back to the Holy Land and repair the temple. Nehemiah opens with Nehemiah in the palace (citadel) in Persia when he receives a visit from a brother with news of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s name means Yahweh comforts (comforted of the Lord).

News From Home: Nehemiah 1:1-3

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.
It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan[a] the citadel, 2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

The splendor of the palace could not hold his heart when his brother Hanani (God is gracious) explains that city of Jerusalem is in great distress with the walls which are meant to be a protection broken allowing enemies to have a foothold to bring destruction. So many times when we are shown a need that grips our heart it is God giving us opportunity to make a difference in this world and fulfill His plan for our life. Chapter one reveals how God places in Nehemiah’s heart a burning desire to bring help to his country as well as giving His servant great favor. As we read we will see that we all need the wisdom and revelation of the Lord. Perhaps there area’s in your life where the walls are broken down, where the enemy wants to get a foothold and cause destruction and reproach. Rising to the call of the Lord is not always an easy road, but God brings joy in the fulfillment of His plan. He sees and He always has a wise plan. Keep reading to see how Nehemiah walked out the plan of God and helped his nation.

Come Boldly To the Throne of Grace

2011-09-25T20:06:00.003-04:00

We live in a world of uncertainty and wonderment. Things can happen in a moment that can change the course of our lives. The choices of others can seem to crash our life pulling all hope and peace out from under us like a rug. Have you ever been in a situation like that? One that makes you question your faith in God, your spouse, your children, or the perfect will of God for your life. It is times like these when the enemy of our soul seeks to crush us and cause us to give in to disappointment and a spirit of giving up. These times produce overwhelming feelings and emotions that leave us finding it hard to function properly.

There are so many verses that could be used to express help, but the first one that comes to mind for me is,

Hebrews 4:16

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Come Boldly

First the Lord wants us to realize that we have access to walk into His presence. What an awesome thought! With all of our problems the God of the universe is still willing to give us an audience right in the very throne room. We walk in...throw ourselves in His arms and He holds us close. He has time for us...and He cares about our situation. Boldness means confidence that we are allowed in...confidence that He cares....confidence that He has a solution. God knows our state of mind and what it will take to build faith within us. This is why it is so important for us to be willing to come to the throne room even when every instinct is telling us to run for cover.

The Choice when the Crisis hits the lowest spot

Remember Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, whose daughter was dying. He went to ask Jesus to come heal her...and Jesus was on his way to his house. Things were looking up, until a little woman with a sickness reached through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus' garment. She was instantly healed and any other day Jairus would have rejoiced but this day was different. He didn't have time for a delay. Hurry he thought ...just hurry! "Don't bother the teacher anymore messengers came and told Jairus...the girl has died" Imagine the hopelessness that those words brought to Jairus, the disappointment and the questions. Yet Jesus spoke afterward... “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” Luke 8:50 What would Jairus do? Would he continue to lead Jesus to his home even with the message of woe or would he retreat alone to face his sorrow?

The Throne Room holds His presence and our answer

Jesus cleared Jairus' house of everyone except Jairus , his wife and a few disciples. "Little girl...rise" The life of this family was changed as they allowed Jesus into their house. His presence is still the same today. He changes things. His plan is not always what we would think..but His presence will leave us changed for the better. He really does have our answer.

Ponderings of the Resurrection

2011-04-13T21:40:00.002-04:00

Mary and Joseph obeyed God by bringing Jesus to the temple to be consecrated as the firstborn. God had arranged to have a prophet and prophetess speak over Him.

Mary hid these things in her heart.

Simeon Blesses Mary and Joseph and Says many things about Jesus

Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and proclaimed many things about Jesus. My eyes have seen your salvation. Simeon declared that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and would bring Salvation. He would bring a light to the Gentile nations and be the glory of Israel. The prophets of the Old Testament confirm that God would show his love to the Gentiles, but that seemed like a far off thing. He would bring glory to Israel....the people of his time couldn't see this happening. Many could not see Him as sent of God at all. The Jews of Jesus time were waiting for a deliver who would free them from the oppression of Rome and restore the nation to the glory of David. They were not aware that God's Salvation would start with individual hearts and changed lives. Genesis 12 reminds us that God told Abram that the nations would be blessed through the Jewish nation.

A Hard Path

Simon spoke further, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, ³⁵ so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Imagine if you will these parents. Mary the mother and Joseph the willing step-father hearing these words and having to process them. I have to adult boys and remember fondly their babyhood. The hopes and dreams for blessing in their lives. The promise their little lives held amazed me. Mary and Joseph had agreed to allow God to work in their life...to allow the Son of God to be born to them. Perhaps they like those of their time dreamed of Messiah as freeing them from oppression. They'd held him in their arms...they willingly sacrifice their reputation and future to obey God. Now these words shed light upon the purpose and plan of God for their son. I would do anything to help my boys have a good life and to fulfill the plan of God. I hate to think of the hard parts of their lives and really wish they could all be eliminated. Mary and Joseph were willing to sacrifice much, but they did not realize how much Jesus would sacrifice and what he would do to bring salvation to the world.

Not my will but thine
Certainly as God in the flesh Jesus wanted to do the will of the Father. As a human being that grit and determination towards obedience to God was shown to him by parents who said..."Let it be unto me as you have said." and followed obedience.

What steps of obedience has God asked of you? Do you have the fortitude to obey God even when things are not easy? Take some time to ponder what the Lord has spoken into your life.

Reflections of the Ressurection season

2011-03-25T07:21:00.008-04:00

Resurrection Sunday is April 24th this year. During the weeks leading up to this special day of celebration we ponder the work of the cross and His resurrection.

The first reflection I'll share is about Mary and Joseph and their devotion to the things of God despite the obstacles they faced and how that godly character impacted Jesus.

Mary and the promise
The Messiah was promised in the book of Genesis. Every Jewish child heard about it and waited for His coming. We don’t know all the details of what Mary was doing when the angel came to visit her and gave the news that she had been chosen to bring the Messiah into the world, but we do know that it was very dramatic. Many overlook the treasure of things to be learned from her life because others wrongly ascribe worship to her. One of my favorite things about her is the statement…”Mary pondered all of these things”. The ponder statement is right after the description of the shepherds visit to the manger where they surely shared the story of the angels that came to their field and told them the Savior had been born.

She had a lot to ponder.
Mary encourages me because in everyday life there is a lot to ponder. To ponder means to intensely consider something or events. Walking out our life in God’s will can be like that…we can be right smack dab in the center of God’s will and yet have a lot to think about.

Being chosen and willing
Mary and Joseph were chosen of God to raise Jesus because of their godly character. It was a matter of the right time, the right place, and the right people. Sometimes serving God faithfully in our everyday life may not seem like an earth shattering thing, but God takes note of our love and devotion towards Him. While we know that Mary and Joseph weren’t perfect think a moment about the trust Father God put in them. Mary’s response at the end of her conversation with Gabriel was, “Be it unto me as you have said.” Every time I read those words of hers my mind goes to the garden where Jesus said to the Father, “Not my will but thine” Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He took on human flesh when Mary said, “Be it unto me as you have said.” and that human being needed parents who would whole heartedly obey God at every turn. He needed parents that would give Him that example in their daily lives. Mary and Joseph surely must have pondered, “why us?” but they rose to the task. We like Mary and Joseph may wonder at those things that God has placed in our spear of influence and responsibility. Sometimes we may wonder if we are up to the task. Their life shows us that God can take a person of character who is willing to obey Him and trust them with a great task. Remember others wouldn’t see the greatness of their task. Being parents seemed ordinary to those around them who didn’t understand who Jesus was and the circumstances for those unwilling to believe the truth would seem scandalous. The angel told Joseph, “Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife” and explained who Jesus was and that He would bring Salvation. “Not my will but thine”, Jesus said…that last night in the garden…Can you see Mary and Joseph’s love and upbringing in that statement of total commitment!

Take a minute today and insert yourself in this story. First their story causes us to stop and ask ourselves if we have built godly character into our lives through obedience to the principles of God's Word and our relationship with Him that would give the Father trust to assign us an important task? Also do we realize that the seemingly everyday mundane responsibilities can add up to great godly importance and reward? Take a while to pause and think about the total commitment they made once they realized the hand of God in their assignment. "Be it to me as you have said"...."He took her as his wife"....The commitment would require a lot out of them. Are you willing to commitment to God in ways that require sacrifice ? Next time we will examine some of those sacrifices and how they impacted the life of Jesus.

Mark 8 through Mark 12

2011-02-20T21:05:00.002-05:00

Mark Chapter 8

Mark Chapter 9

Mark Chapter 10

Mark Chapter 11

Mark Chapter 12

Mark 3 through 7

2011-02-14T17:04:00.007-05:00

Mark 3

Mark 4

Mark 5

Mark 6

Mark 7

Some good Questions as we Read through the New Testament

2011-02-09T17:32:00.010-05:00

We are done reading the book of Matthew and some folks have asked me some great questions in regard to our readings. So in the next few days I'll talk about some of them here on the blog.

When I was in Bible College I started my quest of reading through the entire Bible for the first time. God is always faithful to show us wonderful things and to speak to us about issues that are just what we need for our everyday life. Sometimes we have questions...some questions may seem silly and some may seem profound...but the searching and asking God for answers draws us closer to Him and helps us in our everyday life .

1. Matthew 15. Didn't Jesus understand about germs? I know people in those days didn't know about germs...but Jesus is God the Son .
This was the first question I had at seventeen years old as I tackled reading through the entire Bible for the first time. I look back now and laugh at myself, but the truth is we all have these moments of not quite understanding. I studied the answer to it all those years ago, but a few days ago...I found a few more things that shed some new light. I've read through the Bible many times since then and every time there is something new to search out, to ponder and to allow Holy Spirit to speak to our heart about.

The Pharisees asked,

² “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

Jesus answers first by calling into question their hand washing tradition and neglect of the law of God. I remember as a seventeen year old my mind immediately went to what could You possibly have against washing your hands...get rid of the germs. What I was missing was it was not simply washing hands as we would today but it was a ceremonial washing. I was reading this week that there was a special way to do it and one was suppose to wash all the way up to the elbows. That satisfied me at that time...realizing that Jesus was not against washing hands but that a special ceremonial washing was not necessary. The phrase the "tradition of the elders" says a lot here. This washing was not about God's law or even hygiene it was more about tradition.

Matthew 15:10
¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

There it was again. A few verses down I was back on the germ issue. Germs after all can hurt a person if they eat without washing there hands and it seemed like Jesus was saying that it didn't matter. I was totally wrong about what Jesus was really saying. I didn't have any idea why he was saying what he was to the Pharisees or the multitude. I decided to leave it to the answer above...this was just about tradition...Jesus wasn't against the washing of hands. A few days ago I decided to look at it again and I found something I'd missed before. I found out that Jesus was denouncing a belief that the tradition of the elders was espousing. They actually believed that if you didn't wash in the ceremonial way that the devil could gain entrance to your soul while you ate. Wow! That explains a lot. Jesus was dealing with an issue that was putting people into awful bondage. Imagine the normal person washing their hands up to their elbow everyday at meal time afraid of giving entrance to the devil if they didn't. Jesus was setting that straight among the people.

Others had some great questions that I'll discuss in the next few days. Did you have questions as you read Matthew? It is not to late to ask....it is fun to study it out.

Hope you are enjoying the book of Mark which is another look at the life of Jesus. More later on that.

Matthew 28-Mark 2

2011-02-09T02:04:00.002-05:00

Matthew 26....Monday's Reading

Matthew 27....Tuesday's Reading

Matthew 28 Wednesday's Reading

Mark 1 Thursdays's Reading
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Mark 2 Friday's Reading

2011-02-08T15:10:00.004-05:00

Matthew 26....Monday's Reading

Matthew 27....Tuesday's Reading

Matthew 28 Wednesday's Reading

Mark 1 Thursday's Reading

Mark 2 Friday's Reading

Matthew Chapter 21 through 25

2011-01-30T23:34:00.002-05:00

Matthew 21

Matthew 22

Matthew 23

Matthew Chapter 16 through 20

2011-01-23T23:43:00.004-05:00

Matthew Chapter 16

Matthew Chapter 17

Matthew Chapter 18

Matthew Chapter 19

Matthew Chapter 20

LWF Reads Through the NT Matthew 11 through 15

2011-01-16T21:49:00.001-05:00

Matthew Chapter 11

Matthew Chapter 12

Matthew Chapter 13

Matthew Chapter 14

Matthew Chapter 15

Sermon and Sunday School

2011-01-10T03:16:00.001-05:00

Casting Your Cares Upon Him

Sunday School

Reading through the New Testament Chapters 6 through 10

2011-01-10T03:13:00.001-05:00

Monday January 10, 2011 Chapter 6http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Tuesday January 11, 2011 Chapter 7

Wednesday January 12, 2011 Chapter 8

Thursday January 13, 2011 Chapter 9

Friday January 14, 2011

Christmas: What does it really mean to you?

2010-12-25T22:04:00.008-05:00

Sermon: Sealed God's Promise. This year my son and his finance helped us get our tree up and light up the house. I've really enjoyed it. My Mom loved the season and was a great decorator. Christmas morning when we woke up Joshua had the lights all on..and things were shining. My brother and his family came with us to celebrate with our father....little Josiah understands so much more now than he did last year. My eldest called from Afganistan and I spoke with his wife on Christmas Eve...a niece called from Ohio and a niece wrote a message on facebook. I miss the gathering we always had at at my husbands parents house with all the nieces and nephews. The Christmas party at church is always fun....I miss those that couldn't attend this year. The promise of my Mom in law coming a few days after Christmas warms my heart. I wonder if Pastor has told her that in a few weeks we are getting another Dachshund to add to our pack? Maybe that will be our little surprise.

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family and watched a few Christmas shows. If you asked me what gifts I got...I'd have to stop and think...and contrary to the smart remarks that may come from my friends and family it is not my age. Simply put.... the joy of Christmas doesn't come wrapped in a gift wrapped box or pretty bag. It comes in our heart as we sit at our tables with those we love....as we remember together the one who came...the one who is God With Us.

Isn't the Snow Pretty

2010-12-05T20:48:00.011-05:00

Click here Bro. Shane's Testimony and Sunday School
There are some wonderful things about living in the North Country. Some years I can't wait for the snow. This year (and for the benefit of my children it is not because I'm getting old) however, it is seems all to cold. One thing that has been truly fun this year is that we have decorations up. Joshie and Katie helped put up our tree and make the house look festive. They also helped Papa. It was so sweet to visit him today and see him rolling along on his scooter looking at his decorations. He shut off the lights to get a better effect and had me help him get some of the things turned on. Dad is less able to get out and about in the winter but there are still nice things to be expectant about in his life. Each season has good things about it.

Overcoming obstacles of Winter

1. The cold
Cold winter breezes can go right through you and chill you to the bone, yet sometimes the brisk winter air is refreshing. Cold weather can make a person want to hold up in their warm house under a blanket or it can be a part of winter fun that involves outdoor activities.
The trick to getting along outside in the winter is to be properly covered up. Yesterday when I shoveled I had a scarf that I used to cover my ears....heavier socks, gloves, my famous long-johns and of course my winter coat. One of the things we need to do in our Christian walk is to have the right equipment. Sometimes our life can seem as cold as the long North Country winters. We wonder when it is gonna end. Most of know not to be caught without what we need to get along. We have a survival checklist so to speak. In our part of the country we have to make a choice to embrace our environment and prepare for it. The same is true of our life and our journey here on the earth. God gives us a survival kit in his Word. One of the greatest survival tools of the Bible is the helmet of Salvation which guides our mindset. The Word tells us to renew our mind. We are to line our mind up with what God says instead of allowing our culture to dictate how we think. You might not be a winter sport enthusiast, but you can find things to enjoy about wintertime. Like the beauty of snow. Pastor says he wishes the snow (pretty as it is ) would only fall in the yard and miss the sidewalk, road, and driveway.

2. The tendency to hibernate
The cold winters often temp folks to stay inside. The heat of the house feels good compared to the frigid temperatures. While I'm not one to play winter sports...I do like to get out of the house. Some folks hibernate in the cold season...because they are either unable physically to get outside in the winter or they chose to not get outside because they are willing to put their life on hold until spring. My Dad cannot get out as much in the winter. We take him to the Dr. and try to get him out to eat on the transit bus (it has a lift for his Scooter chair) but he is not able to ride his scooter outside with the same freedom he enjoys in the other seasons. It sure would be lonely if he had to spend all winter alone in his trailer. He was just saying how he enjoys the Bible studies and family and friends who come to visit and make those months go by quicker. Even though he is in his trailer more than he'd like he has chosen to continue to enjoy life and make a difference in the lives of others. Life at times can seem like a cold winter and at certain junctures we can be tempted to curl up in our own little cocoon by ourselves. We have to remember in those times to use our survival kit from the Word to overcome. One of the great truths of the Word is we don't walk alone. God made us to need him and to need the love and support of others...He also made us to need to give love and support to others.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-27T10:02:00.003-05:00

I hope your Thanksgiving day was a time of joy as you celebrated with your family. As I've read the reactions of friends on facebook and talked to my family and friends....I've heard some great reports.

We followed my Mothers tradition of going around the table and saying what we are thankful to God for this year. My brother grumbled at the prospect of the "public display" but my nieces revealed it was all an act because when they were in Ohio he used to maintain the same tradition. My heart always melts when we hear everyone's heart.

I've heard of the joy of making pies and dinners for family and guest, the joy of children enjoying the new event (Little Josiah was so cute this year because he understood the joy of being all together for a big feast).

I've also heard of folks whose feast wasn't all they wanted it to be because of hard times. My prayer is their feast became about what we all should remember...it is not about the food...or perfect circumstances....but our trust and thanks to God whether in hard times or good times...and our love for family and friends. I watched last night as the President and his wife pasted out food in a local food bank and thought....we ought to do something more next year to reach out to families in need.

I heard of a young couple who invited some single folks who were not near their family to have Thanksgiving with them.

I've heard of a young dating couple who prepared a bed and blanket for a cat they saw shivering in the cold earlier in the day.

I'm thankful for the fun of getting Christmas decorations up with sweet kids.

I'm thankful for the safety of my eldest and his wife

As I look back at Thursday our official Turkey Day I desire two things. One to make concrete plans to do so much more for others next year to make the day a day that other families can come together with Thanksgiving to God....And to remember everyday can be a day of thankfulness to our Great God.

What did you learn and see this year? What are you thankful to God about this year? What plans to you have on your heart to help others this season?

Sermon and Sunday School

2010-10-12T23:54:00.002-04:00

Sunday School 10-10-2010

Certificates of Appreciation from the Devil

Blessing Others

2010-09-28T07:10:00.008-04:00

PTL....I was finally able to get sermonplayer to work again. Click here to listen to Faith Soup

Last week Pastor and I used the Ephesian chapter 1 prayers as a basis to pray blessing over the church family as well as our boys, nieces and nephews ect. I love these passages.

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 1:15-19, New King James Version)

The Patriarch's Blessing

The Patriarchs spoke blessing over their children knowing the power of the spoken word passed down through generations. Even today Jewish families say a blessing at the Sabbath meal over their spouses and children. The practice of speaking blessing is more than just form or history. I remember when my boys were born I pledged not to call them stupid or dumb and to uplift them. I wanted them to know they were special. Many of you remember the story of our youngest getting a little mouthy when he turned 13. I was determined to get him to be more respectful and I was advocating that Pastor John put his foot down and restore order. As I prayed and pondered it...the Holy Spirit gave me a solution that I thought couldn't be right. He instructed me to thank Joshua everytime he did something good. I rebelled against that thinking he needed a good swift kick in the behind instead. Yet, I knew both our boys did a lot to help both us and their grandparents. So I began my adventure of thankfulness and blessing which puzzled Joshua at first. Maybe he wondered who kidnapped his mother and left this other person behind to take her place. Within a few weeks his attitude changed completely and I learned a valuable lesson. My son did respect us....he wanted to be appreciated back and blessing changed our outlook. The blessing of the Patriarchs was to last a lifetime and it proclaimed God's promise over their life. The Word is filled with promises for us and our children as well. Even when things look bad it is important to concentrate on God's promise and proclaim it over our loved ones.

Aaron's Blessing over the Congregation

God gave Moses a verbal blessing for Aaron and his sons to give the congregation of Israel . Pastors sometimes speak this over the church. Reading this shows what God desires for the church to know about how God wants His blessing to be upon us.

²² And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ²³ “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

²⁴ “The LORD bless you and keep you;

²⁵ The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;

²⁶ The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’
²⁷ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27, New King James Version)

This week ask the Lord how you can be involved in blessing people with your words and your prayers.

The Blessing of the Lord

2010-09-21T21:39:00.007-04:00

God's Blessing upon humanity
The Bible tells us that God spoke the world into existence. His words are powerful enough to cause those things which were not into existence to come into existence. Soon after creation God spoke some more powerful words.

²⁸And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28, King James Version)

God spoke powerful words of blessing to Adam and Eve. Humanity was made in His image with the purpose of ruling and reigning with Him. His plan was that we fellowship with Him and that we share His heart for creation. Sin came into the world and marred that picture yet God's plan is still in tact. When we come to Him and allow Him to restore our heart to His we become a new creation ready to walk in His plan.

God shows His continuing plan as He blessed the patriarchs

The Blessing of One Man Changes Everything
After the flood God blessed Noah and his family. Noah had been found faithful in a world where everyone had turned from following God.

¹And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1, King James Version) The enemy had sown seeds of rebellion and discord within humanity against God in order to keep man from fulfilling the call of God. One man held to the love of God and that changed everything for mankind. God protected him from destruction and from the plan of the enemy. The Father's blessing of Noah shows that one person can cooperate with the plan of God and make a huge difference in this world.

God Blesses Abraham: God can call us out of any circumstances and bless us when we commit to follow Him.
¹Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: ²And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

³And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3, King James Version)

God revealed Himself to a man from a family who worshiped idols and did not serve or have respect for the things of God. Abram was a man with hang-ups but God knew that he was also a man who would be willing to have faith for the impossible. We serve a God who is still in the business of revealing Himself to imperfect humanity. When we read about Abram we see a man who had great faith in God even as he struggled with character flaws. We may not be perfect but if we will yield to God trusting Him to fulfill his promise He will change us and give us His heart. One man's obedience and trust brought God's plan for blessing upon a nation and all of humanity into fruition.

We can certainly see that God blessing has been important to mankind. Next time we'll examine how God can use our words of blessing to others for His good plan.

Here is a special blessing from God that is my prayer for all of you.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace."'
So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I
shall bless them."

Numbers 6:22-27

Create A Clean Spirit Within Me

2010-09-14T15:21:00.008-04:00

I've had some trouble getting the videos up but I think I'm getting closer to figuring out the problem. The last video I have up is Bro. Todd Murphy of Micaiah Ministries: The Rock: Knowing What to do in the Storm

Psalm 51
We sang Psalm 51 in church Sunday. These words have spoken truth for generations. Sunday service was heavily anointed as our praises ascended heavenward. This song was especially beautiful and impressed upon my mind.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12, New King James Version

I believe God desires to speak to us as He moves in our midst here in the North Country. Last week we talked about things that grieve the Holy Spirit. This week we’ll talk about how the Holy Spirit moves us to repentance

Nathan Confronts David
David was a man after God’s own heart. He loved God and the people of God. He trusted God when he was a shepherd boy no one paid attention too…he trusted God when King Saul became enraged and jealous enough to kill him. He honored the king and refused to touch God’s anointed. He trusted God as God was helping him to establish his throne and conquer land from the enemies of his people. He was a psalmist who worshiped God with his whole heart. Yet there came a time when King David hid something that could have destroyed him if left unchecked. He had an inappropriate relationship with a woman and in order to hide the pregnancy that resulted and he had the woman's husband killed in the heat of battle. Left unrepented of this sin would destroy his relationship with the Lord and hurt others. There were already consequences that could not be changed. Nathan the Prophet told David a story about a man who had many sheep but killed his poor neighbors little sheep for a supper. The little sheep was like a pet and very special to the neighbor. David became upset at the telling of the story and wanted to punish the man. Nathan proclaimed, "Thou art the man!" The truth was out and it was time for David to face it head on.

David’s cry of repentance in Psalm 51 is an example to us of what we can do when we find ourselves in need of admitting our wrong actions and our willingness to yield to God. It shows us that even people who love God with all of their heart have to guard their relationship with Jesus. The story of David, Bathsheba (the woman involved), and the prophet Nathan brings up some questions for us to ponder.

How did a man after God’s heart get into this predicament?
The obvious answer for the avid church goer and Bible reader is that he wasn’t where he was suppose to be. He was suppose to be with his soldiers on the battle field. He had lost his focus. Dig a little deeper and let it make you think. David did lose his focus and that was the start of trouble. He also had issues that he had not dealt with in his life. He was married to many women yet the lure of beauty outweighed the fact that God didn’t approve of longing for another man’s wife. (the fact that OT men married more than one wife doesn't mean that is God's plan...Paul tells about being the husband of one wife) His power and ability to cover up his sin kept him from seeking help from the Lord. Are there areas that we have covered up? How are we treating people? Are we trying to hide something from God? Have we lost our focus? Are there issues we haven’t dealt with in our lives? Do we justify things that our society says is okay but the Word of God tells us are wrong?

Why does God use others to Bring Correction?
The saga of David let’s us know that sometimes God will bring someone to correct us when we have covered up and refused to judge or examine ourselves. His love for us won’t allow Him to watch as we go toward destruction. David was in such a state that he could see the sins of others and even be critical and judgmental while not seeing his own sin. Prophet Nathan was prepared with the famous, “Thou art the man”. You see often when we are in such a state we get critical of others and it becomes easy to focus on that instead of “judging ourselves“.

David's Choice
David had a choice to make. He had the power to have Nathan imprisoned or killed. He could have silence the person whom God had sent to him. It is never easy to hear words of correction but when they are from a heart of love and not a critical spirit they are words that can bring healing and restoration. David’s choice to receive Nathan’s words and to repent and to be willing to deal with core issues forever changed what the enemy meant for evil to destroy him. It restored him to fellowship with God. David penned the words, “take not your Holy Spirit from me”….he never wanted to be without the presence of God in his life.

What am I to do with this story of David, Bathsheba, and the Prophet Nathan?

Stories in the Bible are there for our example. When we see how David fell prey to a sin that separates from God it lets us know that we must protect and guard our heart. (Proverbs 4) We must be willing to examine ourselves and not cover up things that need to be dealt with in our lives. We must examine how we are treating people, if our relationships glorify God, if things that are attracting our attention are in line with God's Word, and we must be willing to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and those that God has placed in our lives.

God has a good plan for our life. We must not allow ourselves to have unrepented sin in our lives. Agreeing with God and changing our actions is not about being "controlled" ....it is about being free.

Things that Grieve the Holy Spirit

2010-08-31T17:10:00.020-04:00

Micaiah Ministries will be at Living Waters Fellowship Friday @ 7p.m. and Sunday @ 11:15 a.m and 7p.m.

I've been thinking about what causes the Holy Spirit to be grieved....which means to have sorrow or to be distressed. Pastor John's message Got Mud: Take the Presence of God with You speaks of desiring to seek God's presence for your life. That is certainly the will of God for his people. What are things that would hinder that from happening in our lives?

Here are some things that grieve the Holy Spirit.

Not Believing and trusting Him. (Psalms 95:9-11, Psalm 78:39-41, Isaiah 63:9-11, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, the book of Exodus)

This one is a hard one. All of these verses say the Holy Spirit was grieved. When I read the book of Exodus I ask myself if I would be any different than the children of Israel . What would I do if an army was closing in on me, if the food supply was non-existent, or I was dealing with a parched throat because of lack of water? Would I be among those who saw the miracles of God and doubted God when each new crisis arose? Reading Exodus lets us know that God's heart was always to provide....He longed for His people to trust Him and to believe that provision was His will. He wanted them to seek Him not run turn tail. I don't have to go far to see what I would do. All I have to do is examine my reactions to my own circumstances. Do I remember the works of the Lord in my life and others or do I panic at every turn. Don't get me wrong...I know sometimes things happen that can rattle us....but what do we do when that occurs? Do I run to God or do I run from Him. God wants us to seek Him and to trust Him remembering His mighty hand. The Psalm 78 passage says , "again and again they tempted God and limited the Holy One of Israel." Imagine that, when we don't believe God can help us we are putting limits on God. The Holy Spirit is blessed when we trust even in hard situations, when we don't give up on our faith in the face of difficulty, when we seek Him even when our emotions are in an uproar...when He is our solution not our complaint.

Not knowing His Ways ( Psalm 95: 9-11)

God said that generation did not know His ways. That is a sad commentary. Every Father wants his children to know him...to trust his love for them and to understand and pass on the integrity they learned from him to their children. God was basically saying...this generation just didn't get it. They didn't know Him...they knew of him but didn't grasp His heart. It is not that they didn't have opportunity. The Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 that everyone in the wilderness had the same opportunity to see God's mighty hand and let faith rise in their heart. Most of that generation ended up dying in the wilderness leaving their offspring to see the fulfillment of God's promise by faith. God said, "they didn't know my ways".

God talks a lot about the Moses generation...they are called examples to us. They are examples of how not to act and how not to relate to God. There were some fine exceptions Caleb and Joshua. God is desiring us to know His heart, to know his ways, and to know Him.

Rebelling and turning from Him (Isaiah 63:8-11)

In this passage God shares His heart. His love for Israel...His heart for them as His people. When they were in distress He was distressed for them and had a solution. Verse 10 tells us they rebelled against the God who had shared his tender mercies and it grieved His Holy Spirit. A read of the entire chapter shows a spirit of repentance which God accepts. Yet here we see that God has experienced the sting of being rejected by His people. Just as parents or grandparents desire good for their loved ones God loves and desires our good. He invest His love in us and it hurts His heart when someone walks away or rejects His loving correction.

Corrupt Speech, Anger, Strife....unkindness (Ephesians 4:29-32)
In between exhortations to not allow corrupt speech, anger and strife in your life and another passage stating that we need to be kind and tender hearted and forgiving...are the words , "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" The way we use our mouth and the way we treat other people matters to God. Is it not incidental that these areas are found together because often our mouth gets us into trouble with other people and causes hurt and divison. Some folks think that it is just "them and God"....but this passage lets us know our mouth and our relationships with others matter to Him. They matter so much that when we mess them up we can actually grieve the Holy Spirit. Thank God for His mercy in these areas. He is faithful to help us overcome habits that hurt others and can wreck havic upon our life. He is willing to take Spiritual soap to our tongue and help us to have right attitudes. Our treatment of others matters.

Stand

2010-08-25T23:50:00.009-04:00

Click here for Sermon: Who are you Partnered With Part 2 and Sunday School.

This week...I've come upon many people that are in situations that require standing firm.

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. "Ephesians 6:11

1. Standing firm means that we bear up against the things that are trying to come our way to bring destruction to us and those we love in someway. Standing firm, just like accepting Jesus as Savior or living right, requires first and foremost that we recognize that by ourselves we are powerless to succeed. It is only through Jesus shed blood and the ransom paid that we can ever hope to succeed in any spiritual endeavor. " Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" Ephesians 6:10

2. Standing can be lonely and grueling. We find in the famous Ephesians six passage that our enemy is seeking outright destruction. The hard truth that our real enemy is not a person or group of people but Satan and the demonic reminds us even more that we must totally rely upon our Savior for victory. It is not always easy to stand. Sometimes it would be easier to give up and not hold to our faith. To give up would be to let the enemy win and to not allow God's glory to be seen. It is God who gains the victory...but it is we who stand. Standing involves believing God to work in our life even when it looks like all is lost. It means doing the right thing, treating people well, and standing on the promises of God even when doing so is the hardest thing in the world for us. Standing requires a refusal to give in attitude.

3. Standing in faith is active. Sometimes we want to fix our situation ourselves. Believing God requires that we be willing to listen to His voice through the Word, or through the Holy Spirit speaking to our heart. Sometimes He will give us an action to take and sometimes He will tell us to stand down and see the salvation of the Lord. Either method is active because it requires our faith to be stretched.

4. Standing in faith brings rewards. Having faith in God and His ability will never fail us. Each circumstance that requires standing feels as if it will never end and that our failure is certain. Putting our life in God's hand and being willing to obey Him and the Word of God can be scary in the natural....but when we ask God with a grateful heart to intervene He gives us His peace. It is not that we are blind to the situation...we simply know He is in control and well able to meet our need . Looking back over our life I can see many such situations that were resolved in ways we'd never dreamed possible for our good.

Maybe some of you have testimonies of standing firm in faith that you'd like to share with us here on the blog. Feel free to send a comment. Even if you don't comment take a minute to remember what God has done...when you stood firm refusing to give in to the devil.

God in times of trouble

2010-08-17T14:56:00.008-04:00

Sermon: Who are you partnered With? Part 1 and Sunday School with Bro. Larry

Psalm 46

¹ God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. ³ Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! NLT

Easy to read
The verse may be quick and easy to read but when you are actually looking at a picture of a mountain crumbling around people ....and the fear and mayhem a sudden disaster can bring it puts the significance of this verse in perspective. Take a look at the clip from Youtube my cousin Mark posted to facebook showing a recent (Feb 2010) landslide in Italy.

When I watched this clip Psalm 46 immediately came to my mind. You don't need to speak Italian to hear the panic in the hearts of the people. The little town had to be evacuated and it is certainly evident that there was great loss. The Psalmist uses graphic illustrations to make his point about God's faithfulness in times of trouble.

Don't Deny the Reality of what you or others are going through.

Storms are never denied to be real in the Bible. The Bible describes both physical disasters and crushing circumstances. Even in the midst of the storms of life God's blessings can be seen. Faith in God can move mountains. We've seen financial miracles, physical healings, hearts mended and restored to health and a host of other blessings in our faith walk. The faith walk clings to the promises of God and speaks them despite stinging circumstances...one thing it doesn't do is pretend they don't exist. Our Father helps us navigate through them. Best of all He is willing to speak to our heart about nagging questions that trouble our mind. (see Luke 13:1-5)

The News
News is filled with things that should bring us more and more to a point of fear and dread. Yet the Word tells us that God wants us to see Him as a refuge and strength even when things around us may be crumbling. Whether the news is a natural disaster or bad circumstances we serve a God who says to us that He is more than enough and that He has made a way for us. The causes of bad circumstances can be anywhere from our own doing, the wrong doing of someone else in our path, the work of the enemy, to the groaning of the earth.

Peace Be Still
When ever I read or hear the story of Jesus calming the sea....I wonder at His statement, "Ye of little faith". Picture the disciples in the midst of the storm with Peter barking orders, water overtaking the boat and the wind whipping at their back, adrenaline high as they struggle for survival. Meanwhile Jesus is asleep. When he is awakened He calms the sea with a word. Notice he doesn't say..."Guys what are you talking about there is no storm" We too can speak to the storm with the Word of God.

There is peace in knowing God is with us in the storm and that we can trust Him to answer us even when we are trying to keep it together and speaking in faith to still the storm.

The Protection of God

2010-08-03T13:41:00.008-04:00

^{Sunday School and Sermon: Just Do it
Video: Coffee with Jesus How do you pray}
Usually I write a blog entry...but this week I'm just going to share a chapter of the Bible that is precious to me.

¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

³ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
¹² In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.” (Psalm 91, New King James Version)

The Snare of the Fowler by REV. C. H. Spurgeon

The Voice of God

2010-07-26T15:48:00.004-04:00

Sunday School /Sermon /Cindy Jacobs Call for intercession for the nation.

A few Sundays ago my Dad and I settled in to watch Yankee Baseball. It was then we heard that Bob Shepherd who had been the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium for years had passed away. The players remembered him with fondness. A commentator made a comment that bothered me at first until I listened to the explanation. He said something like , "Many players and fans have said Bob Shepherd's voice was like the voice of God"

The players reasoning.

He knew their name

The players recalled that if he was unsure of how to properly pronounce their name that he would seek them out to make sure he would say it right. He enjoyed getting to know the players of the game. He did this without partiality. It didn't matter if you were a Yankee or Visiting team member, a famous player or a rookie...your name mattered.

God knows our name too The Bible tells us that God knows our comings and our goings, He has even the hairs on our head numbered and holds us in the palm of His hand. There is no partiality with God. He cares about men and women, rich and poor, famous or average joes....our life matters to Him.

His Voice was Majestic

When players came to Yankee Stadium they looked forward to hearing him say their name. He didn't yell it, he didn't say it quickly or with slothfulness to get through the line up, He said each name with dignity.

God calls us to Himself

God calls us by name to Himself. The Word says He calls whosoever will. Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd whose sheep will not go to another because they recognize His voice. David describes God as the Shepherd who attends to His flock.

Bob Shepherd's voice announced who was up to bat and what position each player played. God's voice...His true voice leads us when we are up to bat on the field of life...and leads us to the right position or gifts and callings to employ.

We know as Christians that Mr. Shepherd really wasn't the voice of God...but if we will listen to why people said it of him we can surely see some wonderful characteristics of our Father God and how he speaks to us today.

To Listen to a tribute to Bob Shepherd click here

The Heart of God

2010-07-19T09:41:00.016-04:00

Sunday School and Sermon (Cornerstone)

The Heart of God

A few weeks ago we talked about David being a man after God's own heart in Sunday School with Br. Larry and it got me thinking about God's heart and what pleases Him. What made David a man after God's own heart? Those of us that know his story know that it certainly wasn't that he did everything right without breaking any of the laws of God. His sin is recorded for all to see throughout the generations of man....thankfully his heart toward God is also recorded so we can follow his example in both good times and bad and in our successes and our failures.

David like Saul was brought from small beginnings but in the end their hearts were like night and day. They both sinned before the Lord yet God rejected one man and restored the other man. Both men spoke words of repentance at the time when their sin was exposed ,nevertheless, Saul was left in a position disgrace while David was restored to kingship and honor. We find that words spoken without heart toward God are meaningless while words of truth and intimancy move the heart of God.

What about looking the part?

Saul looked the part of a king and he was head and shoulders above everyone else. His small beginnings didn't keep God from calling him to the task. He didn't consider himself up for kingship at first and even tried to hide when Samuel was going to name him before the people. The Bible tells us that God did a work in his heart making him a new man and even gave him people who were determined to serve God by serving him. David was the youngest of his fathers sons. He was a shepherd who really didn't look the part of a king. When God told Samuel that someone in David's family was going to replace Saul, David wasn't even called in from the field to be considered until Samuel asked if there was another brother somewhere. Neither man was looking for the job of king but found themselves commissioned by God through the prophet Samuel. Certainly once they were walking in kingship both men looked the part....but David wasn't afraid even when he was king to take off kingly robes and worship.

Heart of Worship

David was a musician who played the harp and wrote hundreds of songs to worship the Lord. A look at the Psalms will reveal that he wasn't afraid to express his emotions and questions before God. Some will argue that musical types are emotional anyway and so it is easy for them to express themselves. The good thing is you don't have to have a certain personality type to simply share your heart with your creator....it can be through song, through pen, through words, or a variety of ways that God may put within you. Ultimately a person of worship comes into such intimacy with God that not only do they willing share their heart with Him, but He shares His heart with them. David had such a relationship with God and so can we.

A trust that wouldn't go away

David had a trust in God that wouldn't go away. When David came before King Saul to get permission to fight Goliath he remembered God's help in the face of the lion and the bear who tried to get to the sheep of his fold. His trust didn't diminish in the face of many enemies over his life time....and that trust led him to obey God when it seemed odds where against him.

Obedience

David's love and trust toward God led to his desire to obey God's voice. Saul had the same opportunity given to him, but his heart got so puffed up with the gift of kingship that God gave him that he lost intimacy with his creator. Obeying God is not about a bunch of rules....it is about understanding the love of God for his creation....understanding the Father heart of God towards us, his sons and daughters, really getting that what He sets before his children is for the best. This kind of obedience is far superior to rule keeping....it is about obeying Father God out of a heart of trust and love. It reminds me of one of my favorite New Testament stories.....that starts with Jesus saying, "I must needs go to Samaria"

He Restores My Soul

2010-06-25T09:04:00.011-04:00

Sunday School and Sermon

Lately it seems like many people are going through storms in their lives.

Psalms 23 speaks to us in these times.

I won't want
When I was a child and looked at the first sentence of the Psalm in the King James Version I was a little confused. It says..."The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" I thought it was saying I shall not want the shepherd. Thankfully later I realized that it meant that God is my provider and He is like a shepherd who takes care of his flock caring for each individual sheep. I won't want for anything when I trust in Him.

He takes me to the peaceful place.
Shepherds know that in order for their sheep to feel comfortable enough to eat and drink they must be in a peaceful place. So they provide green pastures near still waters. A fast running stream would make them uneasy. Jesus knows that about us too so He gives us access to a place we can hear His voice away from the storm. A place where we can drink from His strength in a still peace. Sometimes we forget the Shepherd is with us, we fail to allow Him to take us to the safe place in His presence and as a result we can't receive the Word (food and drink) He supplies. Come away from the pressures you face....stop all your doing and rest in His presence. This coming away can be as you read the word, or as you simply draw away from your work and worries and do something restful allowing Him room to bring peace.

He restores my soul
Have you ever had your mind swirl with information about what you are going through or worries about decisions you must make. The word soul means your mind, will, and emotions. The Good Shepherd is very interested in your mindset. Come away with Him...rest and allow Him to change restore the hurts, worries and bring peace. When we allow Holy Spirit to renew our thought patterns...and we see ourselves through His love instead of our problems we can begin to walk in peace and righteousness.

I will fear no evil

"Yeah though I walk through the shadow of death....I will fear no evil for thou art with me" This famous phrase tells us that even our darkest fear can be conquered when we know that God is with us in the mix.

A Strong Wind Is Blowing

2010-06-15T13:34:00.006-04:00

Pastor's Sermon A Strong Wind is blowing encourages us to expect the supernatural in our lives. God makes Himself strong in our life. Sunday Sermon and Sunday School.

A Strong Wind of the Spirit Fills Your Cup

This week a dear friend sent an email with an important prayer request. I immediately wanted to respond. Yet I felt Holy Spirit say, "Fill your cup, write later" Lately I've felt drawn to come away with the Lord...and sometimes have been frustrated with the agenda of the day. I remembered that when we speak in heavenly languages that God edifies our spirit. So I went away for awhile and quieted myself in the midst of the noise of my life and took time to speak to God. There are different ways we can come away with him. My mother played the piano. I remember sometimes waking up as a child to the sound of her music drifting upstairs. I write my thoughts in a notebook....I cast my cares there...I cry out to Him there. We mustn't loose the connection when things are tough....it can be easy to come away when everything seems to be okay...it is in those times when we have noise and frustration that it is difficult. I needed to fill my cup...Holy Spirit reminded me that I can't give out if my cup becomes empty and dry. Yesterday's Manna is not sufficient for the new day.

Come away this week into the presence of the Lord...take some time away from the noise of the day.

First Ministry Experience

2010-06-07T18:35:00.002-04:00

Click to Watch Sunday School and Sermon online

Last December the kids from Children's Church went on their first ministry adventure. We are talking about planning another ministry endeavor with them and so I thought it might be interesting for you to read about their first experience. Perhaps it might entice you to think of something we adults can do together to reach out to the community. Let me know.

Lessons from children's first ministry experience

Hidden Things

2010-05-28T01:11:00.004-04:00

Did you wonder what happened to us? We had some technical problems with the sermon uploads...but got them straightened out...PTL.

Sunday School and Sermon: Pity Party

Memorial Day Video

Hidden Things
I wrote a post some time ago that keeps coming back to my mind this week. When I wrote it....it was as if the Holy Spirit downloaded to me from the heart of Jesus. I've been encouraged and reminded of things to watch for as I've re-read it. Maybe you'd like to give it a second glance too. God is doing a new thing...showing us new things...and protecting us and our relationships from the plans of the enemy.

Reposting of Hidden things:

Hidden Things

July 17, 2009
The Lord began to talk to me as I sat down to read the Word. I felt released to write it here.

Hidden Things of our heart
In this season of time the Lord will reveal the hidden things of the heart to His people. They will see in their own hearts. ..the hidden things that dwell there…things that need removal and that will be unsettling to see. This will happen to Generals on down to privates in His army. He will purify them with fire and even in everyday circumstances they will come to see what He sees that needs to be removed. This is in preparation for the move of the Spirit that is going forth in the world even today. It comes from His heart of love and because in this season we will need to go forth in power and victory with nothing holding us back. Reaction is the key to how believers will gain benefit from the unveiling of their heart being made plain to their eyes of understanding. It would be easy to desire to bury what one sees back up and go about life as usual. God told me, “In My Great love I can’t allow it to be buried, so when My children react that way I will unbury it again with a wind of my Spirit and present it before the eyes of understanding for My children to see in the light of day.” This exposure will show the hidden things and motives of the heart. Some will desperately try to fix themselves, but they must come to Him for strength and guidance to overcome. Hidden impurities of motive of the heart must be acknowledged and brought before the Lord and laid at His feet. He will powerfully crush them (the hidden things that offend) into powder and they (the hidden things that offend) will be blown away by the wind of the Spirit.” This will involve listening to the Spirit’s voice.

Hidden things of the Enemy
At the same time God will reveal the hidden things of the enemy and his agenda. The enemy is seeking destruction on every side. He seeks to confuse the Body of Christ bringing pride and condemnation. He (the enemy) seeks to stifle the move of God that is being carried out now and will be carried out in the near future through individual members of the body … he is seeking to keep the children of God from obeying the voice of the Lord . The Lord says, Guard your heart…Proverbs chapter 4...the enemy will try to regain what he has lost and open doors again from which you have be set free from bondages…he will try to set new doors before you to walk through that are formed for envy, strife and bitterness. Sing out loud because our Savoir is bigger…Stand up those that have stumbled and return to the Lord of Host who rescues us from all bondage. Wash off your failing in the blood and stand firm in guarding your heart. He (the enemy) will seek to disengage your relationship with God and relationships that bring strength to your spirit. Be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and tender to his wooing and prodding.

Hidden things of God
God in this season will show His Children the hidden things of the Kingdom. Things (the plans and purposes of God for given situations) that have been saved for such a time as this. Strategies that will overcome works of darkness and expose the lost to the Light of the Gospel, increase that will enable families and ministries to provide for themselves and reach out to others proclaiming the voice of the Kingdom with power and signs following wherever they go. Nothing in his plan is too small or too big.

Growing in Christ

2010-04-29T21:06:00.007-04:00

Sermon the Confidence Game.

Ladies Remember May 14th, 2010 @6:30 p.m. is the next Book Club Meeting.

Growing in Christ

¹ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

(Ephesians 5:1-2, New King James Version)
Make Yourself Friendly
Some years ago we went to a conference that really began a healing in my heart concerning friendships. My husband and I had made some changes that resulted in the loss of fellowship with some dear friends. The readjustment left me wondering if the work and possible hurtful side effects of friendships were worth putting forth any effort into establishing new friendships. Sis. Fox preached a wonderful sermon at the conference explaining that to have friends you must make yourself friendly. You had to take risk and put aside old baggage that would keep you from allowing God to place people in your life. Little did I know that God was preparing me for dear friendships that I might have missed or that I might have not put time and energy into if I hadn't taken in a right now message from Sis. Fox.

Friendships help us imitate Christ and inspire us to grow in our love walk.

It is interesting that Paul relates imitating Christ with the love walk. Whether it be friendships or those who are not your typical "lovely" people....the love walk is connected with your growth process. A person cannot really imitate or be like Jesus if they don't learn to walk in love towards people. How we treat others counts. Love is not always a gooey feeling...sometimes it takes work and the expressing of honest feelings. Those years ago because of past hurts I almost stalled my spiritual growth because I was trying to imitate Christ without really investing in the work of friendship. In an effort to protect my emotions I steered away from getting too close to anyone new. As I sat there listening to Sis.F Fox I began to realize that God had brought me to a divine appointment that would open my heart to God given friendships if I would allow Him to heal my heart and take the risk of making new friendships. I know now that this was vital to my spiritual health.

Two very sweet friends

No More Manna

2010-04-14T13:03:00.006-04:00

Sermon "No More Manna" and Sunday School "The Armor of God"

So You Want to Go Back to Egypt
The children of Israel left Egypt after having been slaves for many years. They came out with God's great hand...but had trouble trusting God when things seemed to get bad. Sometimes we are tempted to think we wouldn't have acted that way...but more and more I'm realizing that we all have moments when the latest crisis brings insecurities from our past that we must overcome in order to believe and see God's ability to work upon our behalf. Throughout their self imposed wilderness wanderings they had opportunity to see God's hand in their everyday life. One thing God did was provide daily Mana for them. It served as a reminder that God was their provision. They were to gather a certain amount and on the day before the Sabbath they could gather enough for two days. Sometimes they chafed against this provision wishing they had a wider variety of food to eat. Some even wanted to go back to Egypt where the provision seemed greater. They seemed to forget that while Egypt had extra food it had been a land of slavery for them...a land with no future for them....and certainly not God's will. Perhaps sometimes we've been the same way with God's provision in our life. Maybe we've even wavered wondering if God really cares or if His provision is going to be enough.

What did the Manna Accomplish?
The forty years of wondering are sometimes looked upon as a useless time. Certainly I can agree that it was a result of faithlessness toward God and His ability to provide. However...I realize that many of us have followed the same path. Everyone that was in that wilderness had a chance to learn about God. The daily bread or manna was meant to give a group of people with a slave mentality the gift of knowing that there was a God in heaven who loved them enough to daily provide for them. It was not meant to go on forever...it was to be a model of God's love and mercy for His people.

No More Manna

I believe that 2010 has brought with it a new season for the Body of Christ. It is a time of transition where the old securities will fade and God will have us branch out in faith that comes as a result of seeing His daily provision. Stepping out can be scary because we are used to the old way...but when we take with us the lessons of God's faithfulness we will see His great provision in the new season. When Israel came into the promise land there was a new provision afoot. They would gather it from the place God had enabled them to place their feet upon. There would be battles to fight...and victory would require overcoming enemies. (armor of God) It was a new level and a greater provision than they had experienced in their life...now they would gather from the land God had provided. The manna stopped but God's provision went on. There was variety...there was plenty...there was trust in God's hand. This new provision was for a generation that trusted God and was willing to overcome the works of the enemy. The provision was one of abundance. I believe we are starting to walk in that new season where abundance will flow. Make no mistake there will be obstacles to overcome and we will have to listen to God's voice and gather. When the Israeli's were ready to go into the land before Moses died...he told them in essence ....when you have houses and lands and provisions like you have not had before...don't forget the God of your provision.

Resurrection Day

2010-04-05T23:53:00.003-04:00

Sunday Sermon: "I'll be Back and Sunday School.

Sunday was a wonderful day of Celebration. The Bible tells us that Jesus made an open show of the devil when he died on the cross and rose again. He took our sins and gave us power over all the works of the enemy.

When we celebrate the Resurrection season we talk about Good Friday. That is the day that we remember that Jesus was place on the cross and suffered and died and paid for our sins. It is a day when the disciples felt like all was lost. Their hopes that He was Messiah seemed to be shattered and questions filled their mind. Sometimes we are in a season that seems like Good Friday. Things occur that make our heart sink and cause questions. Thankfully Sunday is coming. Sunday was Resurrection. In the same way are season will not always be a Friday of questions...if we are faithful we will see resurrection and purpose.

Be Alert

2010-03-26T23:31:00.009-04:00

^{Sermon: God is God and Sunday School Lesson

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8, New King James Version)

Be Alert....corny I know...I looked for a soldier standing at attention...couldn't find it so Pastor suggested a BEE

The last two weeks have been interesting. Pastor John had some trouble with his cell phone company. We've had a pay as you go company for many years, but in the last few months they've really messed him up several times. He ended up losing his longstanding phone number due to a mistake made by an overseas call in center. It was disturbing because all of our contacts have had that number for years and we have numerous business cards out in the community with that number. Funeral homes and hospitals also have the old number and use it in emergencies. Anyway for awhile it seemed hopeful that he could get his number back...we kept getting messages on our home phone that if he hurried all would be well. So he started the process. Hours later when much time and effort had been spent on the phone I had the sinking feeling that something more was up than the ineptness of call centers. No it was worse than that...it was the whittling away of precious time and energy. As I listened to Pastor John try to explain one more time what he wanted....I wondered what it was that the devil wanted to keep us away from obtaining or giving our attention to by keeping us wrapped up in this endless cycle...I won't mention here the number of hours spent on the phone trying to get the mistake fixed.

Hindsight being 20/20 we both realize it would have been better to leave the situation alone and simply go on with the new phone number. BTW...in the end that's exactly what we had to do anyway. If you'll admit it there are times when we all hold on to something like a dog with a bone....even when it is evident to others you should let it go. Pastor John was on a mission to save something that had been worthwhile to the ministry of the church. Something that might keep us from missed phone calls from someone who knew of the old number. Sometimes even things that may seem like a worthy cause can be time distractions. There are times to fight and times to realize that the fight is not the Lord's.

This week I was sick and Pastor John's attention was upon helping me...which is a right thing to do. I've not been sick to this extent in a long time. Some nasty bug. I'm feeling much better now. It got me pondering since I've been feeling better. What things did the enemy want to keep us from these last few weeks? What did he hope to accomplish? The Holy Spirit began to show me that the enemy hopes to blindside God's people. I also saw that all was not lost and fear doesn't have to reign. Thank God that He is well able to give revelation and wisdom when we seek Him. I felt Holy Spirit say...."seek Jesus...Be in His presence and don't let anything drag you from it this week." He will reveal Himself to us and bring His presence. There are a lot of issues and circumstances going on as I talk to people in church and on the net...but God is in control of them all and His presence brings peace. "Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: for he trusted in thee." Isaiah 26:3}

Your Own Song

2010-02-23T15:41:00.014-05:00

Sermon: When the Devil Roars;Roar Back Sunday School; Purity

Is it possible that each individual carries their unique song within them? Recently a friend encouraged me by reminding me that God created us to be a song that glorifies Him. She heard on KLOVE radio station that the each individuals dna holds a unique song. When dna is stretched it resembles the same wave lengths found in music. I looked this up on the internet and found some scientific articles that supported these statements. While the thought is new and certainly will continue to be tested the implication is that individuals were wired with a unique song within their dna.

We give God praise through the song of our life. My friends observation about dna reminded me that we have a built in song given to us by God no matter what is going on in our lives circumstance. It makes sense then that God's Word exhorts us to praise Him at all times...and sing to Him out of the abundance of our heart. Music moves the heart of man like nothing else can. When we draw near to God He draws near to us and from our innermost being comes a song that the creator of our soul put within us. It is exciting to discover that even our dna was meant to line up with God's Word and His love for us.

God's Best...Our Best

2010-02-16T13:49:00.005-05:00

Sermon: Fear Not and Sunday School: Sanctity of Life
I was thinking about love the other day and my thoughts went to the most famous verse in the Bible. John 3:16 is known by many people even those who do not profess to be Christians. It has a profoundly simply message. God is love. We are called to be imitators of that love which can only be obtained and expressed by accepting Jesus as Savor. At salvation this same love is deposited in us and must be cultivated in our life. In a world where hurts, betrayals and disappointments run rampant it is easy to lose sight of true love. I found three aspects of God’s love in the verse. We’ll talk about the first one today.

God’s love gives.
It’s not the kind of love that gives to manipulate the targets response. We’ve all come into contact with people whose giving always has a catch. Manipulative love says, “I’ll give you something but then your freedom to chose is a thing of the past.” The Bible tells us that God loved us while we were still sinners. He loved us before we loved Him. He loved us before we ever made the choice to serve Him or reject Him. He sets before us today as He did in Joshua’s day a choice between life or death, blessing or cursing. Every choice we makes leads us somewhere. Choosing Him and His ways bring life and purpose to our existence on this earth and beyond.

God’s love gives the best.
Another part of God’s giving nature is to give the very best. He so loved the world He gave His one and only son. Some of us have had times where our best was limited. Christmases when perhaps the gifts were few or where they were from a discount store or better yet homemade. Yet they were from our heart…they were our best. Maybe you’ve re-gifted at least once in your life because an occasion came up that caught you unaware or your heart wasn’t really touched by the event. It is at those times when we have to admit that our gift was in the pile…but it wasn’t our best effort and certainly didn’t attach any great value. God the Father gave Jesus as his best gift. The love and honor He placed upon Jesus shows us the value He places upon you and I. When I consider my sons and the love I have for them…I realize how hard it would be to give them as a gift to a world that in many respects doesn’t deserve such a treasured possession. They are a part of me and that doesn’t change with age or circumstance. God didn’t give us his second or third best…He gave the very best.

Because He gave His best we give our best.

Sometimes we all struggle with giving our best to others as an outpouring of our love for God. When we accept Jesus our spirit is renewed and His love is placed in our heart. So because we are God’s children we begin to desire to imitate Him in his giving. Yet somehow we still struggle. The value of a person that God’s placed in our path may not be readily apparent to us. We may struggle because the person that God’s put in our path has made so many mistakes it doesn’t seem like they deserve a “millionth” chance even if they have repented. The big and small things that we can do for someone in our life may take a little planning and our time is precious. Biblical love is a lot of things…it doesn’t always ooze with soft words…sometimes it is calling a spade a spade. Sometimes it requires us to let go of a perceived hurt and to give of ourselves anyway. Love isn’t always the easy way.

Encourage One Another

2010-02-08T15:54:00.007-05:00

Sunday Sermon with Pastor John...The Word and Sunday School with Bro. Larry.

My niece was on the Cheer Leading Squad this year at school. We went to one of her competitions and I was impressed with the amount of practice and teamwork that it takes to complete the routines.

Cheer Leaders Show Enthusiasm For Their Team

Cheer Leaders must have an enthusiasm for their team and that enthusiasm must transfer to the audience and the players on the field. The Body of Christ needs that as well. We are all called to be encouragers in some capacity. Cheerleaders must encourage and have a respect for the team no matter the score on the score board. A good Cheer Leader cares about the team and the audience.

They Cheer No Matter The Current Score on the Scoreboard

It is easier to cheer when the team is ahead and the momentum of the crowd is high, but a Cheer Leader doesn't give up when things are hard. Their demeanor affects the team and the audience that watches. I've been to games where the home team was down in points and mistakes had been made. You could almost feel the discouragement come into the atmosphere of the room. Yet the cheerleaders would rise throwing off their own discouragement as they began their cheer for the team. As they cheer something begins to change that the scoreboard can not measure...it is a sense of honor (value) towards the team. This type of action changes the atmosphere of both a team (church) and those in the audience (the world...those we have an influence with). It brings hope for the future and desire to focus on a solution.

Local churches need this as well. It is not always easy. Congregations go through different things....some good and some difficult. An encourager cares about their local Body of Christ. They care about solutions and realize that their spirit may well be what helps a discouraged player pick up the ball and play like they need to play to win the game.

Reactions

2010-01-20T22:30:00.016-05:00

Pastor John's sermon God's GPS and Bro. Larry's Sunday School Class.

Our Reactions to what happens around us.

Most of this week we've been at my in-laws house as my father in law is not doing well. Even in this stressful time God has been faithful to speak to me about different things as I pondered about His will for a persons life.

Many of us are familiar with Charles Swindoll's quote "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” If we believe this then it means that even with life's way of throwing curve balls at us we still have great responsibility for our outcomes based upon our reactions. The quote looks us square in the face with the reality that even with the hurts and brokeness that come as a part of life it is we who determine our ultimate victory or defeat.

I'm thankful that many times we have opportunity to compose ourselves and put on a better reaction.
Paul the apostle talked about putting things on and off. He was talking about attitudes and actions that please or displease the Lord. Thankfully he explained the Holy Spirit can renew and transform us day by day as we yield to him. Even though I came to the Lord as a child...I still find situations where my flesh rises up and my reaction is not what it should be to help a situation or a relationship. Thankfully many times my initial reaction is not in the presence of the person or persons who otherwise would get a piece of my unyielded mind. There are times when hard things need to be addressed and said...but it makes all the difference when your attitude has been cleansed of that self righteousness that only thinks of itself. Take heart that no matter how old you are in the Lord he is faithful to reign you in and to give you wisdom and calm to deal properly with any given situation.

Some of the things the Holy Spirit will talk to us about that will help us in our reactions.

Perspective: We see things from our own perspective based on our experience or knowledge concerning a situation in our life. The Spirit will often urge us to change perspective enough to see where someone's mindset is compared to ours. He will ask us to take note of what things have affected their words, actions and reactions. This doesn't mean we change our mind, but it does allow us to speak with a compassion and understanding that we wouldn't have otherwise. Sometimes I'm tempted to "fix things quick" and get things straight....but that can land a person in trouble if they bypass the Spirit's call to take a moment and ponder someones perspective. This can also come into play during a conversation....be willing to listen.

Forgiveness
Reactions can be totally different when we choose to forgive someone who has hurt us. Maybe someone has had a bad day, perhaps they are going through strain at work or at home or a myriad of other circumstances. When we choose to be aware that not every offense is caused by mean-spiritedness we are well on our way to redirecting our reaction to a situation. There are times when someone is purposely mean...maybe they are reacting to their own hurt and loss...and it is then that we must decide whether we will allow them to pull us down with them. While we don't have to be buddy buddy in such cases...letting go of anger and the desire to pay back looses us from the trap of walking in sour attitudes and reactions.

Remember how you react effects yourself and other people.
Have you ever been in a good mood singing a song as you work only to be stopped short by someone who clouds the room with anger and a sour expression. Maybe you've been the one with the cloud hanging over your head. No one is saying that life is all a bowl of cherries....or that your every waking moment should filled with the "sound of music"...but remember you affect those around you. Take some time to allow God to speak to you when you feel that cloud. He wants to shine some sonlight into your day if you will allow Him to.

Here are some Don'ts

Don't despair if you've blown it with your reaction...ask forgiveness and trust God to restore relationships.
Don't assume that you are the sole blame for every situation of offense or stress. Remember just as you must yield your reactions so must others.
Don't give up. The apostle Paul said, "I have not yet attained". I don't know about you but that sure gives me hope.

Maybe you have some experiences or some more Don'ts to add to my list. Feel free to go ahead and reply.

.Taking Inventory

2010-01-14T23:18:00.007-05:00

Pastor John's sermon The Truth About Forgiveness is a reminder that our life can be blocked if we don't forgive others when we have been forgiven of so much.

Please pray for missionaries to Haiti Randy and Anita Chabot and their daughter Amelia. They are okay but last I heard Amelia's fiance was not found. I sent an email from Amelia out a few nights ago with an update on how they were doing. At that point she knew her computer battery wouldn't last long and that it would be hard for her to get ahold of us at all.

Taking Inventory
I turned 45 years old in December. The passage of time causes one to take inventory of their life and what they've accomplished. This year I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with my niece. It spoke to my heart...because sometimes our inventory is not like God's inventory. We can have our outlook soured by circumstances that are not a finished work yet. You all know the story of "It's A Wonderful Life" George Bailey looks upon his life with all of its trials and wonders if anything was worth while...indeed he wonders if he is worth while. He is kind hearted and spends his life caring about the needs of others but is accused of being a poor business man by the scheming Mr. Potter who cares nothing for the welfare of anybody but himself.

Our worth in God's eyes
Sometimes we cannot see with our eyes the worth and value that God puts upon us as an individual human being. We examine ourselves and see only brokenness. We see circumstance that are in the now before they are truly finished and we cast a judgment about ourselves, others and even God. We must be careful not to let the "Mr. Potters" of the world set the criteria for our inventory. Paul the apostle said that he would let God judge his accomplishments not the whims of man.

A look at life without us
It might seem a little self important to say that without us things might not be as good for those around us...it is hard to get past the idea that we might be getting prideful to even go there. Yet God knows every hair upon our head and every coming and going we make. If we yield our lives to His purpose then whether or not we "see" our worth at the moment...we can be assured that we do matter. Maybe you are in the midst of a mess complete with upset emotions and depressed thought patterns. That still doesn't mean that you haven't had a godly impact. We are often the toughest critics of our own life. Your inventory of yourself might not have a high rating...but remember there are those who would rate your contribution higher. God can make something new from a broken life...His sense of value is far different than ours.

Sometimes others don't see the value in another human being until they no longer have what they once had in relationship.
Whether it is a young person going off to college, a husband or wife who are not getting along, or simply a kind next door neighbor we often don't see true value in someone until we are removed from situations or their presence. I remember longing to be on my own...out of the watchful eye of my parents. Yet when I went to college I found myself missing the very people who I wanted to distance myself from because I began to see their worth when they were no longer close by. Absence doesn't always have to be the way we realize the worth of others or our worth to them...we can take a moment in our busy lives to make a mental list of the things that we are thankful for about people around us and yes even things about ourselves.

Evil intents at work
In the movie It's a Wonderful Life Mr. Potter is the source of scheming with selfish intent. His trickery and mean spiritedness was the assault that caused the final blow in George Bailey's ability to go forward. George felt like he couldn't take one more step and that his whole life had been for nought. The Word tells us the we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We wrestle instead against the forces of the enemy of our soul. We are not blind to the fact that often the tool of the enemy is a human being caught in the devil's trap. George believed the lie of the enemy and it plummeted him into a cycle of self destructive thoughts and emotions that would have killed him without God's intervention. These feelings brought on by the master accuser caused him to give up on life. We must be diligent to not fall for a lie instead of God's truth.

God's view
There is a moment near the end of the movie where George finally gets it. The pharmacist saved from a deadly mistake caused by the grief of losing his son, his brother saved in childhood by George from a drowning accident lived and was able in turn to save many men in battle, and the families who looked to him for help in a time of trouble. He sees that his life matters. He sees that the world would be less with out his contribution to it. I hope as you ponder the well known movie you see that your life has value. Jesus is the source of that value. His love for people and his desire to serve came as a gift from heaven's throne.

The next time you take inventory of your life ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He'll show you areas that you can improve upon. He'll show you those things that please Him about you. Don't believe the lies the devil tries to cast.

The Journey Book Club January 8th

2009-12-29T16:05:00.011-05:00

The Journey Book Club will meet at the church Friday January 8th from 6:30- 8:30 for fun, fellowship and the discussion of One Holy Night by author J.M. Hochstetler. Sis. Lynne and Sis. Lisa always make the evening fun for everyone. This time the menu features "healthy foods" for a dessert or entry to share. I've been singing the Sesame Street Healthy foods song ever since the last meeting...but still haven't come up with a healthy idea...anyone with an idea can leave a comment on the blog.

Sneak peaks of the book we are just finishing and our new selection.

Current Book
One Holy Night by J.M Hochstetler

Book to be passed out on January 8th Lying on Sunday by Sharon K. Souza

Seasme Street Healthy food

2009-12-14T13:04:00.008-05:00

Sermon and Sunday school video

Pastor John's sermon Sunday was titled "This is War" What kind of message was that for the month of December one might ask? What has that to do with Christmas? Well, when we ponder Christmas we remember that down the road a little while the wise men came to give gifts to Jesus and were warned in a dream to go home a different way because Herod wanted to kill Jesus because he feared that his hold on power would be hindered if prophecy was fulfilled. Joseph also was warned in a dream to flee to Egypt until the danger was gone. You see even in the midst of the birth of our Savior the enemy of our soul sought to keep the promised messiah from fulfilling his destiny which promised to free mankind from the the grip of satan.

We have an enemy

It is important for us to understand that we do have an enemy. The Bible tells us that " For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

Our enemy seeks our ruin
⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8, King James Version)

We have victory
We know that in Christ we have victory over all the works of the enemy. Like Joseph and the wise men we need to listen to the voice of God and see our destiny fulfilled.

Christmas Miracles

2009-12-05T21:48:00.008-05:00

Click here to view Pastor John's Sermon God Answers Prayer and Bro. Larry's Sunday School

We visited some folks tonight who were watching the Christmas specials. They told us they enjoy watching them every year. We liked to hear that because we do too. When we went home we found a really sweet Christmas show on Hallmark and just sat back and enjoyed it. You know the plot...a miracle at Christmas time. The show we watched dealt with broken family relationships and dealing with the grief of loosing a spouse. All this with the help of an angel....with the angel played by the mother from Everybody loves Raymond.

Does Christmas really bring miracles? Well, we know that the first Christmas was a miracle. The miracle started with the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary and her conception of Jesus... Elizabeth and Zacharias had a miracle in their old age and were able to conceive....and finally there is a the matter of a great star announcing the birth of Jesus.

I believe God always wants to do miracles that will show forth His glory. Miracles that will restore relationships, heal bodies and the broken hearted, and draw people to Jesus. Perhaps people are more receptive to believe God during the Christmas season.

The Christmas shows come to a happy ending in 2 hours or less. I like that time frame. Real life doesn't work that way. The movies always have a part where it looks like things won't turn out...I hate that part because it mirrors life....except life usually doesn't resolve itself in the quick time frame the movie does. Mary's miracle might not have seemed like such a miracle when Joseph was upset and threatening to divorce her....Zacharias was mute for the whole time his wife was pregnant and the wisemen had to skirt around Herod to avoid danger both for them and baby Jesus.

Don't discount a Christmas miracle...and don't let the problem part of the "movie of your life" change your faith in God's ultimate victory.

God's Presence in a hectic life

2009-12-02T18:45:00.023-05:00

Click here for Pastor John's Sermon "Get Back Up" and Bro Larry's Sunday School Class

It is the time of year when magazines have articles about how to take the stress out of Christmas preparations. We can begin to feel like the stress of everyday life will not allow the entrance of one more responsibility. The past year has brought additional stresses due to the national recession. I'm reminded that the first Christmas had some stresses too. Joseph,traveling with Mary who was due any time, had to find a place to spend the night in a crowded city where finding a room seemed impossible. The God ordained generosity of a harried inn keeper provided the backdrop for the most wonderful birth the world had ever witnessed. In a simple barn surrounded by animals our Savior came into the world.

Are you stressed this Christmas season? Do you find it interesting that the first Christmas was surrounded by the opportunity to allow stressful situations to rule the day? Instead Joseph keep knocking and the inn-keeper opened the door (okay, yeah it was the door to the barn not the inn...but he was filled up to capacity and he did find space). Jesus came in the midst of all of this...He still wants to be the focus of Christmas and give us the beautiful gift of His presence.

Finding His Presence in Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T19:00:00.009-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Friends

Click her to take a second look at Pastor John's sermon Stirred Not Shaken and Bro.Larry's Sunday School Class Many of you know my brother Paul is the new General Manager of Denny's which just reopened Sunday night. Here is an interview with Paul....click the video on the right of the page.

My Dad (Bro. Howard) made a statement today in study that is still ringing in my ear. We were talking about praising God in all circumstances avoiding a critical spirit. Dad said, "Complaining is the opposite of thanksgiving" That can be reversed to say, "Thanksgiving is the opposite of complaining."

This year we have all experienced both good and bad things in our life. The chioce we must all make is whether or not we will practice a life of being thankful to God and others even when it is not easy. Israel complained over and over in the wilderness. Looking at the situation we can sympatize with them....wondering how they would have food and water for themselves and their children. So they complained to Moses forgetting the tangible grace and favor of God's miracles in thier midest. We don't have to be thankful for the bad things...we can instead be thankful for God's love towards us and His ability to bring good. Next time you are tempted to complain turn it in to praise.

God's Presence: Staying the Course in Hard Times

2009-11-10T23:52:00.009-05:00

Sunday Sermon: You Just Gotta Say it: What Does God want You to Speak over a Situation? and Sunday School with Bro. Larry

There are many things that effect the anointing and presence of God in our lives. Last week we talked about "coming close" by developing a habit of taking time with the Lord. There is a lot more to say on that subject and we'll continue to explore it in coming weeks. My sister- in -law and I were talking this week about the anointing and presence of God in the midst of hard times. That conversation got me thinking about how staying the course increases the presence of God in a persons life.

The Presence of God in hard times.
Believers do not escape hard times...we go through them with the help of our Savior. Attitude is important to our outcome. God desires good for His children and He is not the author of confusion or things that bring pain. Yet in this fallen world we do see and experience painful events. We have two choices when faced with a trial. We can blame God and run turncoat....or we can seek His wisdom through the pain and allow Him to lead us through to safety. Some would say that loving God is a crutch to the weak hearted....the Bibles description would be that such a person reveals strength of character and faithfulness.

Stay the course
Sometime ago my husband and I attended our niece Sarah's wedding. I'll never forget the time of invited prayer at the end. There was and older pastors wife who was praying near me. We were never introduced and I don't even know her name...but her spirit spoke volumes to me. Stay the course...things happen...both happy and sad...but remember God is by your side and He will never leave you or forsake you. It sounds trite I know. Yet if you find yourself near such a person...someone who has stayed the course through good times and bad...through trials that seem insurmountable....you feel something different in their presence. A power, a strength that you can't explain. What is it?

Hard times can take us to the throne room.
Hard times or trials drive us to the throne room for wisdom and direction. They chip away at wrong attitudes and reveal the master's handiwork upon our life. It reminds me of the potters wheel story in the Bible. The clay being hard in the master's hand and its need to be softened, the spinning and shaping of the clay upon the wheel, the painted design, and the firing and final touches. In the throne room we find the comfort of His right hand upon our life. The place of refuge is found in the "cleft of the rock" or the secret place where we meet the Lord…the place where we are protected from the storms that the enemy desires to use to destroy us...the place where we are protected by His faithful hand.

Hard times can bring our focus to a walk of Dependence upon God .
It is in the hard times that we remember that we cannot do "it" on our own. I don't know about you, but I'll freely admit that I've gone through seasons where my attitude was, "I've got this all figured out". Thing is although the Lord wants us to use the gifting He has placed within us... His plan is that in these seasons of life we come to the point where we say like Moses...."I don't want to make a step without your presence Lord".

His Presence
Yes, we "Come Close" through time spent with Jesus. Make time this week to soak in His presence (you don't have to copy anyone else’s method)....also take time to ponder what it means to stay the course in hard times...times of decision, times of wonderment, times of pain, times of economic trial, times of national uncertainty, and times of unsettledness of any sort. Staying the course because you love and trust Him brings His presence powerfully in your life.

The presence of God in a Christ Followers life

2009-11-05T23:02:00.006-05:00

Pastor John's sermon entitled "Faith Requires Follow Through" really made me think about true faith in God. Here is a link to both the sermon and Sunday School with Bro. Larry.

Lately I've been thinking about the presence of God in the life of Christ followers. The Word is filled with the concept of God's people coming into close relationship with Him. Here are a few basic ideas about devloping a relationship with the Lord.

Come Close
Long distant relationships can be fun and exciting but they can also end in failure if care isn't taken to fuel the flames. You may be thinking I'm simply talking about relationships that span miles and have to be supported by telephone calls and facebook encounters....but in truth some couples or families who live with or near each other can be like ships in the night passing each other once in awhile with no meaningful contact if they are not careful. In the Word it says, ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8, New King James Version) I know it might seem like "works" to some....yet the truth is if we are going to have a relationship that is meaningful we are going to have to invest time and energy into it. We don't have to copy cat someone elses way spending time with God...we can work that out ourselves with Him. My husband did something special on one of our dates this fall....he took me to a State park where we could watch and listen as the waves come toward the shore. He knows that I love that sort of thing. Our everyday life doesn't allow for walks on the beach ,listening to the sounds of waves and watching the beauty of the water scene...the effort of my husband made to find something that we enjoy doing together if only for a few hours is priceless. Simple things can be very meaningful. As you draw near to God...you'll learn His Character ...enjoy what He enjoys, and begin to scratch the surface of the concept that He enjoys spending time with you and desires to bring meaning to your everyday exisitence.

Setting aside time with God is well worth the effort...when you draw near to Him...He comes to you as well. What are some tangible ways you can make room for relationship building this week? Perhaps you'll be encouraged to reach out to others that you've not had relationship with recently as well.

What is in a Sign?

2009-10-10T22:50:00.006-04:00

Sunday Service and Sunday School: Faith To Pass On A Generational Blessing.
Many of you know that as a church we have started to save for a new sign which will be placed at the entrance of Purdy Ave. Our current sign is in disrepair. We will be building a temporary sign to be placed until we get our new one. The Bible tells us to ‘write the vision and make it plain on tablets, That he may run who hears it.” If we look at all the physical projects the church has to complete we could get discouraged…but if we take things one at a time as God directs we realize God is well able to help us.

The Sign out front will accomplish two things. First it will help our members to see the hand of God working for our good. When we drive up Purdy Ave. we will see that though we have a long way to go when we trust God and work together we can accomplish much. Each step we take builds our faith. Second the sign says to the passerby that though our building needs work we are working towards excellence. Each step is a testimony to others.

Everyone Needs some help once in awhile

2009-09-22T06:10:00.004-04:00

Last week Micaiah Ministries came to our church and blessed us with a Word of Faith and action. I challenge you to listen to these sermons more than once to get the word implanted in your heart. When a word has truly gotten into our heart there is an action that follows that word in our daily live. Click on the LWFvideoblog to hear them.

Scooter woke up at about 4 am...she was panting and afraid... so Pastor John gave her some water...it only worked for a little while so I ended up taking her in the living room and holding her. I gave her her heart pill early around 5 am and took her outside to go potty. She finally began to settle down on the couch. Scooter is usually a good little dog and she sleeps through the night. It could have seemed like an inconvenience to have to calm her and take time with her...but I knew she was just having a bad night and she was afraid. It reminded me that there are times when we humans can be going along our path with smooth sailing only to have a patch where we are unsettled and need that extra comfort. Staying up with Scootie was worth it... as I hear her breathing contently on the couch I'm glad I was patient with her. Maybe there will be someone in your path who usually seems in tact who will need a little extra comfort. .I praise God for people God's put in my path who have been willing to give that to me when I needed it. Well, it is a little past 6 a.m. and I don't usually get sub jobs on Tuesdays so I'm going to get my pillow and settle in near Scooter for a little while. Have a blessed Day.

God is on the Throne

2009-08-29T20:37:00.009-04:00

Click here to see This weeks Sermons and Sunday School

This week my emotions were like a roller coaster. The one constant for me was speaking the Word of God. Circumstances or emotions are not to rule your destiny or your actions. We have to be able to see what is happening in the natural to get to the supernatural God wants to show us. Just when I was tempted to wonder where in the world God was...He showed me His care for the little things and the big things. At one point I was riled and as I started to read the Word...I asked God what use it was to do so that day...my emotions after all were all over the place. Thankfully He reminded me that my faithfullness in placing His Word in my heart was why I had truth to draw from even on days that seem bleak. His prodding reminded me that I didn't have to stay upset...I could speak His Word...and sure enough his Word changed circumstances.

Keep Speaking God's Word over situations.
It is easy to get into a pity party about what folks say and do....why things are going so slow, or why distressing things happen. I don't for a minute deny the fact that there can be sorrow and hurt in our lives. However, much of what we end up living depends on our ability to believe God has a greater plan and our willingness to dare against all logic to speak His Word instead of voicing a current circumstances ..even when a discouraging word is on the tip of the tongue. God honors...us when we replace words of defeat with words of faith.

Look beyond the obvious.

God is always on the throne and in control, yet sometimes we don't see it. It is like the old saying that says, "you can't see the forest for the trees". What is blocking your view of Jesus? What is blocking your fellowship with Him. Take a minute and ask the Holy Spirit this question and He will be faithful to tell you. It is not about feeling condemnation for letting something block your view. The Holy Spirit reveals things so that you can have the results that the Father desires in your spiritual life. When blockages are removed..You see Him high and lifted up on the throne above all thrones. He is faithful to help you remove trees that block your view of the beautiful forest of God's love and plan for you.

God Stirs Hearts

2009-08-16T02:56:00.013-04:00

Sunday School and Sunday Sermon Video's

Some time ago my Dad began to share with me a few passages of Scripture that the Lord was speaking to him about. I've been pondering them for awhile now.

The first Scripture that Dad mentioned concerns King Saul and how when he first became King.. God caused men to be knit to him so that they were willing to follow him as King. ²⁶ And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. (1 Samuel 10:26, New King James Version)

We know that in the end King Saul didn't follow God and that Pride got in his way. However, reading the chapters about him we see God gave him every chance for a successful reign if he had chosen the right path.

I believe God can touch hearts to work along side just as he did for King Saul. The men who followed Saul were "valiant" men. I love the sound of that word...but truthfully I had to look up the meaning since it is not used much in our everyday language. It means courageous, brave and steadfast. I believe God is looking for courageous, brave and steadfast people to be knit or touched to follow specific ministries.

God desires to put Godly pastors in churches and valiant men and women who will be touched to help the work of the ministry in that church and community. He also desires to put Godly men and women into leadership positions in places of influence in political offices, business establishments, and places of employment and also place godly men and women who will be touched to follow and help them to make a difference in our society.

The church that you attend is more than a place where you simply receive and draw strength from....it is also ment to be a place where God sets you in motion to be a strength to your pastor and others who attend. It is to be a place where you have been "touched" by God to help and be a blessing. A place where you learn to do the work of the ministry and reach out to others.

A few years ago Pastor John and I attended the funeral of one of our childhood pastors. Pastor John and I didn’t know each other when we attended Elmira Christian Center (the name was Pentecostal Tabernacle when we were there)because the church was large. At the funeral, I realized that even though we had grown up and moved away we still carried the vision which the pastor, his wife and the church family had implanted in our heart. This was not a man made vision..it was the vision that the Lord had given them.

In what ways do you see God stirring your heart or knitting it to your church family.

Sermons and Sunday School

2009-08-09T09:00:00.005-04:00

I had a hard time uploading this week.
I will upload the evening service later.

Repair the Breach

Sunday School August 2nd Brother Larry

Sunday School and Sermon Video

2009-07-31T21:07:00.002-04:00

Pastor John video taped Bro. Larry this week during Sunday School. Bro. Larry has an annointing that makes God's wisdom for everyday life understandable. We hope that listening on line will encourage some of our LWF members that don't make it to Sunday School to come out and participate as well as bless friends from other areas of the country who listen. "Everybody ought to go to Sunday School"

The Psalms

Pastor's Sunday Sermon
Godly Repentance

Sunday Sermon

2009-07-25T23:03:00.004-04:00

You are Read

Larry Hosmer's Testimony

2009-07-21T23:54:00.002-04:00

We are blessed to be able to share a testimony from one of our church members Larry Hosmer. He shares how God restored his marraige and how God has helped he and his wife and family walk through the the emotions of the death of their daugher Tina. I believe this testimony will be a blessing to you all.

Sunday Sermons

2009-07-18T21:22:00.002-04:00

Call It What It Is

Your Prayer Can Be Powerful and Effective

Hidden Things

2009-07-18T21:16:00.003-04:00

July 17, 2009
The Lord began to talk to me as I sat down to read the Word. I felt released to write it here.

Sunday Sermon's

2009-07-12T07:08:00.003-04:00

Good Morning. Pastor John and I have been away this week helping his folks put in a new bathroom that will be easier to use along with a new upstairs washer/dryer. It was fun. Back on the homefront...we had trouble with last weeks sermon. He preached a messaged called ..."Now that Fits" It was about speaking words fitly spoken and I was looking forward to putting it online. Both our dvd and audio copies decided not to work so I will be putting up an eposiode of our Kingdom Principles and the Sunday Evening service.

Kingdom Principles: Fit your place:

Don't forget the Miracles

Priceless Things

2009-07-02T08:19:00.007-04:00

Pastor John's sermon this week was called "Priceless" It was word to encourage believers to live a "priceless" life for God. We've all seen the commercial where somethings are priceless because they are precious. Our life can be that way with God.

Priceless
The last few weeks I've been pondering a verse in Romans where Paul told the church he was looking forward to visiting them so that he could impart to them spiritual gifts and encouragement in the faith and so that they could encourage him back in the same way. Sometimes as Christians we can get lopsided in giving and receiving encouragement. It might not occur to a Christian who works a regular job, raises a family, and goes about daily activities that they have words or actions that can be an uplift to those who are considered spiritual leaders as Paul was or those leaders that attend their local church. Paul had a relationship with the church at Rome and friendships that he trusted would be able to speak into his life as well as him speaking into theirs. I've been thinking about the relationships God has brought to Pastor John and I over the years both within and outside our church that have been a blessing to us. My Bible College professors often advised pastoral majors and those that married ministry leaders to limit their close friendships to other pastoral families. While I've gleaned a lot from other ministry families and have enjoyed their friendship...I'm glad that I didn't heed that advice....I would have missed out on some beautiful friendships that have helped me receive from the Lord instruction and encouragement. Remember whatever your circle of influenc is ..part of your ministry to the Body of Christ is to give and receive spiritual blessings and encouragement.

Praise Him: Sermon with Song Service

2009-06-27T17:25:00.008-04:00

We had some technical difficulties with the Father's Day DVD..so I"m going to post another sermon. This dvd contains the song service. We usually don't get to show our song service because of copy right...however on the week Pastor John preached this sermon my sister was up to play the piano and so he used songs that are not copy righted or are songs that were written by him and copyrighted by him....Sis. Leesa also sings a song that she wrote and is copy righted and used by here by her permission. I hope you enjoy it.

Welcome Mikie and Joseph Family

2009-06-20T17:44:00.005-04:00

What a joy it is to know the Joseph family will be able to listen to church online. Lately I've been thinking about some of the families we started out with years ago who have moved on and have wondered how they are doing. It brings back sweet memories.

Here is last weeks sermon entitled Prayer

Seeing God's Presence as a Treasure

2009-06-10T11:37:00.009-04:00

My father loves to enjoy the presence of his family. This week he met his great grandson Josiah for the very first time. Josiah is 11 months and loved riding with Great Papa in his scooter chair. Dad treasures all three of his children and all of the grandchildren. Watching him interact and enjoy himself with others reminds me of how God loves His children. Loving God is a treasure. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a treasure that we are willing to give everything to obtain. It is like selling all you have to buy land with oil on it. You give your all to obtain the great treasure. When we treasure God and the Kingdom of heaven we do so because we realize His great worth and we desire to be in His presence above all other things. It is not a burden it is a yearning.

Pastor John's Sermon

Treasure God Sis. Ruth

The Way of the Prodigal

2009-05-31T22:27:00.007-04:00

Pastor John spoke about the Prodigal son in service this Sunday morning. The familar story is a right now word for those who have walked away from family or church, for local church bodies, and those who desire to see restoration in relationships.

The Way of the Prodigal.

Sunday Sermons

2009-05-19T09:28:00.003-04:00

Hi..I thought it would be nice to put the Sunday Sermons in their own post.

The Armor of God part 2 Pastor John

A Rhema Word part 1 Sister Ruth

The Plan Book

2009-05-19T08:33:00.010-04:00

We often struggle with finding God's plan for our life and wonder when He is going to finally tell us the next step. The irony is He already has shown us much of His plan in the Word. We may have notebooks full of sermon notes that clutter our shelves, sermons cd's and books on our bookshelves...and still no clue.

Here are a few ideas to get started to seeing and walking in God's plan.

Read the plan book. I know, I know, every sermon admonishes us to read the Bible and we do try...but how does that effect today is the question??? God can give us a right now word...based on what we see happening in the Bible. For instance, Got church problems....read some of the epistles of Paul....You'll find that you are in good company with the early church and you are likely to find an answer to your question. Got someone who grates you to no end...the pages of the Bible identify with that situation and you'll find some answers. When you are faithful to read the plan book even when it seems hard or tedious God will be faithful to give you wisdom and revelation into your everyday problems. Listen to those sermon cd's and read the books on your shelves (especially the Bible) with a new determination to hear God for your real everyday life.

Trust that God wants to speak to you and listen for his voice to speak to your spirit.
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be our teacher and guide. It's hard to imagine that God is interested in our everyday life...but that is what the Bible lets us know. The book of Genesis is one of my favorite books because it shows the interest of God in family life. Anyone who has read the book knows that the family story of the patriarchs shows the good bad and the ugly. The marvel is that in the midst of great messes God showed up and spoke a word to them. How much more can He speak to us because the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Don't be afraid to ask questions and listen...and receive of Him.

Seek Godly counsel
I know that some of you might have been thrown by the last suggestion. You want to listen to the voice of God but you worry you won't hear Him correctly. It is always wise to seek Godly counsel and confirm that what you've heard lines up with the Word....and timing of the Lord. Remember be careful to confide in folks who have been faithful and who are willing to seek the Lord with you. (those that don't have their mind made up before they hear you)

Take a step today
When you were a toddler you didn't understand all of life. You watched your parents and knew that there was more than crawling on the floor...so you made that first step...perhaps falling a few times and holding on to furniture at first. Your parents clapped and held on to your hands with encouragement. Make a step today. It may be small...but hey it is nonetheless a step in the right direction. Practice. This blog started out with setting up an account with blogger.com and reading the material. It has a long way to go...but now I can upload sermons and run my mouth so to speak. I'm farther now than I was at the start...and you can be too if you take some first steps in the direction you feel God leading you

Your Way or His Way

2009-05-05T08:52:00.010-04:00

This morning my husband was playing ball with our little Dashound Marcy. Marcy loves to play, but she often wants things on her terms. She doesn't like to quite bring the ball to you...she likes it when you have to get up and reach for it...maybe she feels we are more engaged that way. Many of you know we tend to "slightly" baby our dogs so we've let her get away with this in the past. Pastor John has been trying to break her of the habit and it has been interesting to watch. At first she totally rebelled and stalked off behind the couch mad. This morning as I watched her she obediently brought the ball to the spot where Pastor has been teaching her he wants it. She is not 100 percent trained, but she is improving. In our case the problem was as much our fault as it was Marcy's. We let her get away with bad behavior.

It makes me wonder how many times we want to do things on our own terms with God. We know God is the perfect Father. He doesn't let us get away with bad behavior and He is not overly harsh in His dealings with us. I wonder how many times we are like Marcy running behind the couch when things are not on her terms. Pastor John had to ignore that and refuse to do things Marcy's way. She was drawn back because she loves Pastor John and she loves to play ball. We love God and desire to do the ministry He's called us to...so all we have to do is come back and do it His way and on His terms.

Here is Pastor John's Sunday Sermon entitled the Armor of God

2009-04-28T19:20:00.003-04:00

Most of you know that I usually like to add a picture to each weeks blog entry . I spend some time looking on the free clipart sites and select just the right one. Well tonight I did that. It took longer than usual, but it was worth it...I really liked the picture. However, when I tried to upload it the blogspot program refused to work. I tried again and again and the frustration mounted. I spoke this week in church because Pastor John was recovering from a minor operation, and in the message I talked about things coming in our life that are hard and cause frustration. I was tempted to fall into a fit of frustration over the graphic until I remembered that We Win and I can let this irritation roll off my back.

Here is this weeks video sermon.

The Wisdom of God

2009-04-20T22:19:00.009-04:00

I've been pondering the wisdom of God this week. Sometimes it feels like it would be helpful to have a map of our future fall from the sky so we'd know each step to take and when. We'd also know just how God is going to take care of every situation. That sure would help take the kick out of stressful situations. Unfortunately it would also take away a principle ingredient in our relationship with the Lord. Faith. Faith that He hears us and that He cares. I didn't start this pondering on my own...I had some help from a friend. Thanks.

Biblically wisdom falls into two categories.

First we are encouraged to seek everyday wisdom or common sense. Proverbs 2:2 tells us, "...incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding." It becomes evident that we can grow in wisdom through life experience, reading the Word and receiving guidance from others who have learned and put into practice what we need to know to change our circumstances.

Second Ephesians 2:17 tells us about a wisdom that is given to us by God. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation n the knowledge of him." This is wisdom that is more than our natural common sense or street wise knowledge gut feeling type of wisdom. It comes from the throne of God into the midst of our present situations and gives us insight into what is right to do and brings us into a fuller knowledge of Jesus. We need both kinds. Thankfully we can develop common sense wisdom that lines up with God's word and we can trust Jesus to give us His supernatural wisdom when we ask in faith.

Pastors Sunday Sermon Ministering Reconciliation talked about coming into the presence of the Lord...which is a wonderful place to receive the widsom of God.

The Hope of the Resurrection

2009-04-13T23:11:00.007-04:00

We were blessed to have many people come to church and hear the good news of the the Resurrection of Jesus this Sunday. The Bible tells us that for some the cross is foolishness because they don't understand and see their need for a Savior. Those to who accept the finished work of Jesus on the cross repenting of their sin consider it a precious gift. Pastor John talked about that gift in his sermon. Just click the picture to view.

Expectations

2009-04-08T19:05:00.009-04:00

The news predicted snow...but I didn't want to believe it. Just a short while ago our neighborhood was filled with the usual spring activities. Raking leaves and cleaning yards, wearing lite coats, walking dogs, and breathing in that nice springtime air. Things don't always go as we might expect in life. I'm glad that in the midst of unexpected events there are something’s that never change.

His Mercy endures for ever: The psalmist declares this truth again and again. The kindness of our Lord towards His people and His creation. Sometimes we feel as if we've blown it to the point where no one could forgive ....yet the kindness of God and His goodness shows up in our circumstances. We serve a good God.
He will Never leave us: Hebrews 13:5 assures us that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. We are not alone. I love Hebrews it is filled with the truth that Jesus is our High Priest who understands our walk...and that He walks the path with us. We can count on Him and keep our confidence despite even trying circumstances.
His Word is Sure and settled in Heaven: God's faithfulness is sure and the words of His mouth do not fail. Psalms 119:89 reminds us we can trust his settled Word in our life. When life seems to be throwing the opposite of God's will at us...we can declare the Word of the Lord in confidence because we understand that its truth will always come to past.

Some of you may not have noticed the camera that sat atop of the sound system Sunday during church. Pastor John was able to video tape the sermon. So along with the video that we produce in the backroom we will now also be able to video the sermons.

God is Doing Great Things.

2009-03-29T23:57:00.005-04:00

This week the Lord has been speaking to me about His desire for the church to go forth in His power and might. There are always obstacles to overcome, but God is mighty in power and strength. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," Says the LORD of host. Zechariah 4:6

We are pleased to announce our first video segment with a military theme hosted by Bro. Charles and Sis. Leesa. If you are a Military family or know anyone who is this will help them in a season of deployment. (You may have to wait a few minutes for the mini player to load up....)

May 2nd LWF will be hosting a Women's Breakfast called Women of Influence at Ramada Inn for the churches of the Watertown Area. We are blessed by the ministry that God has given our area over the years through various churches who have been faithful to our community and we'd like to give back to them. The Breakfast will start at 8:30 and encourage us to be influencers in the Kingdom of God.

Going Forth

2009-03-15T20:19:00.007-04:00

This morning Church Service was a time of going forth in God. We did things a little backwards and ended up having song service last instead of first. The Lord is faithful to bring refreshing. Discouragement comes in many different forms, but God is able to deliver us and bring us focus and victory in Him. When we read the Psalms we see that David experienced relationship problems, staff problems, family problems, even problems in the House of God. I'm blessed as I read the Psalms as I can almost see him pouring his heart out to God. The challenge that David sets before us is to not allow discouragement to have a field day in our life. We see David encouraging himself in the Lord. He does this in a variety of ways in the Psalms.

He encourages himself on his bed. This is my all time favorite description of David's strategy. You know, there are just some days when you can't get outa bed without speaking the Word of the Lord to yourself and calling out to Jesus. Sometimes a person might even be tempted to take to their bed during the day because of discouragement....but David made his bed a place where God was invited to give him a victory perspective.

He spoke the Word of God over the situation. Some folks are afraid to admit there is a problem. David had no such reservations as he talked to God. He laid it all out on the table in his Psalms. Thing is he didn't stay on the problem. Don't you just love the end of some of the Psalms that started out with the problem and end with words of faith and victory about God's faithfulness and promise of victory? David knew a key to our release from discouragement. The presence of the Lord...brings God's perspective and hope to a situation that otherwise would seem insurmountable.

He sang a new song. We know that many of David's Psalms were set to Music. (some Psalms had different authors...those most are David's) David didn't loose that key to victory that he learned as a shepherd boy when he tackled the lion and the bear....when the harp and lyrics were used to sing of the glories and majesty of the Lord. There is something about singing about God's faithfulness that stirs and encourages even a broken heart.

He acknowledged his sin and repented. David came to realize that sin that is unacknowledged before God causes a person to be on the wrong path. It causes the peace of God to be missing. He discovered the love and grace of God is everlasting to those who come before Him with a humble heart. David found restoration and peace.

This week take a look at the Psalms and remember encourage yourself in the Lord and walk in the victory of the Lord.

The Presence of the Lord

2009-03-02T20:23:00.015-05:00

I've been listening to a song on soaking.net (a Christian music sight) called Passionate Pursuit. (it is on the first player..takes abit of skimming through the songs to get to it) The song is about seeking the presence of the Lord. The Lord desires His people to come into His presence. He loves us and now is a time in history when His people will do exploits as days of old in His name. It is a time of both pursuing His presence and listening to His voice through prayer. Sunday as we worshipped the Lord spoke to my heart that he loves it when we come together and are eager for Him. I felt it upon my heart to ask you to prepare for this coming Sunday through prayer. Here are some of the things we can pray for in our midst. If you attend another church these items are good for you too..just add your own info.

1. Pray for the atmosphere of our church to be filled with His presence. Pray during the week and when you arrive at church at some point after you've fellowshipped slip away and invite the Holy Spirit to have His way.

2. Pray for Pastor John and Pastor Ruth. It is a little awkward for me to ask this...but I'm reminded that Paul asked for prayer. Pray for wisdom, discernment, that we will seek the Lord during the week and that He will met us, pray against the attacks of the enemy and anything that would hinder, pray that our ministry gifts will flow effectively. I can't overstate the importance of the people of God standing behind their Pastors in prayer.

3. Pray for the Sunday School. Pray for Bro Larry this week as he prepares for the adult lesson. (though I'm with the kids....I've sensed an excitement about this class and what God is doing in it). Pray for his ministry gift to flow effectively. Pray for the Children as they learn the love of God and as they begin to minister in their own right. Special thanks and prayer for Sis Leesa as she teaches the nursery class. Remember Sis. Sally in Prayer that she has a speedy recovery.

4. Pray for the Praise Team. Pray for them as they prepare for this week. Ask God to bring His peace and to put a song in their heart. Ask for the wisdom of God to flow in their lives. Pray for their ministry gifts to flow effectively. Pray for the presence of the Lord to inhabit our praises.

5. Pray for the congregation. Pray that as we all go through this week that we pursue the Lord...not just Sunday but everyday. Pray that each one is comforted and encouraged of the Lord...and be open to the Lord as He invites you to be a blessing to each other. Pray that the ministry gifts of the congregation flow in order and effectively.

6. Pray for those who come into our church that they would feel God's presence, and have a desire to give all to Jesus, and that they would know the love of God's people. Pray that nothing hinders them as they seek Jesus. Pray for those in our midst who may not know Jesus or have strayed from His path that they will feel His presence, know His reality and desire to make Him Lord of their life.

Note for some reason the video's are not showing on the blog today...hopefully it will be fixed as they worked fine before. You can go to the listen to sermons page on livingingwaterschurch.com to see them.image c. jim sutton gospelgifts.com

Praying for the President...

2009-02-02T21:02:00.009-05:00

This month we have a celebration called Presidents day. When I was in school we had two seperate holidays...one for President Washington and one for President Lincoln. Those Holidays have been combined into one and it's aim is to honor all Presidents and their contributions to our nation. For quite some time our nation has been divided about very important issues. Christians are concerned about the direction our nation is taking in many areas and rightly so. So what are we to do in regard to prayer? When we pray for our current President there are some things to remember.

1. We are told to pray for our governmental leaders and kings. Romans 13:1-7, and I Timothy 2:2

2. Praying for our President is not based upon his preformance. Paul exhorted people of his day to pray for leaders that were anything but godly.

3. God holds the heart of the king. Proverbs 21:1 Your prayer aligned with the Word of God and joined with others can effect a godly change in his heart.

4. Praying for our President and desiring God to speak to his heart...does not mean that you have to agree with him on current policies.

Special video that Sis. Lynne sent me.

Brrrrr It's Cold.

2009-01-14T21:07:00.006-05:00

It's Wednesday night and the news says it is suppose to be even colder tomorrow. While walking into the house today I felt the cold air and looked at the white snow banks and thought I love it here. Yeah, sometimes I complain about the weather conditions, but its home. I realized that I love where God has placed me. The Lord began to speak to me about thriving here in the North Country. New Video below.

What can you do to thrive where you are even if you don't like something about it?

1. Look for the good things. You may be convinced that your city, job, family, school, or church doesn't have many good things. If you are going to thrive in the place you are then you'll have to begin looking at things from God's perspective. Determine to find things to appreciate in your circumstance. If your thoughts are negative towards a situation you will not be able to see what God may be showing you.

2. Pray for discernment. Praise the Lord, God doesn't want to leave us in the dark concerning where we should be in life. The fact that we have questions doesn't have to mean that we are in the wrong place to thrive. It could be we are right where God wants us, but we are centering on something that God wants us to let go of in our life.

3. Do something new. Take a new look at your situation. Is there something the Holy Spirit has been dealing with you about or something that someone in authoirty has spoken about that would give you some feeling of ownership in your circumstance. Volunteer in an area you haven't thought of before, do something special for someone....(write a note, buy a gift, spend time with someone) and ask the Lord to help you to see His plan.

Kingdom Principles

LWF---A time of Prayer and Action

2009-01-06T00:37:00.013-05:00

Christian Clipart

Kingdom Principles 4: Study to show yourselves approved unto God.

The Buzz every New Year in the media is how to keep your resolutions. In the coming days on my personal blog This Walk with Jesus I will be examing how to turn plans from the heart of God into a reality in our lives. I hope you will read along as we examine prayers part in promoting our actions this year. (I hope to have the first instalment up by Friday)

Prayer Target for the week: Increase in wisdom and revelation in both the pastors and the congregation as we listen to the voice of the Lord for the church direction and our families.

This Weeks video is Kingdom Principles 4: Study to show Yourselves Approved of God. Remember if at anytime the volume is low here on the blog you can go to the LWFchurch web-site and click listen to sermons and listen to the player directly and adjust the volume.

New Beginnings

2008-12-27T22:45:00.008-05:00

A fresh slate, a time to start afresh, new goals and promises. We can get quite cynical about the hoopla and about the prospects of real change in our life. Even Christians long for something real that will propel them forward. That something is more than will power, goals, or good ideas. It begins with sowing the Word in our hearts and taking steps of obedience. You know sometimes we want to do great things for God, but we have trouble doing the little acts of obedience that God asks of us. The other day...I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to speak to someone about an issue...I didn't want to do it because I thought it would be alright to let the matter slide...but the Holy Spirit made real to me the need to speak up. I had a choice to make. In truth the best goal we can have is not something that takes will power to accomplish...but rather to place ourselves in a position to hear God's voice and then to do what He asks us to do. It may be to submit to someone in authority even when you would rather do it your own way, it may be foregoing the midnight snack that you want, it may be speaking to someone at work about the gospel , it may seem small in scope. Remember that obedience to God in the small things and in the big things brings us into a place where God can trust us. It brings us to a new beginning. A launching pad for the future God has planned for us. God is not against planning In the planning listen to the voice of the Great planner and allow him to guide your path.

New Video next week after Christmas and New Year's . Micaiah Ministries now has a sermon player similar to ours with both song cd's and sermons. I'm going to be listening to the Sermon entiltled Becoming Less Vulnerable to Enemy Attacks . Click here to go to their sermon player Micaiah Ministries.

Christmas Party: Let's try again

2008-12-22T20:32:00.012-05:00

Living in the North Country can be an adventure. Sunday morning when we got to the church with Sis. Evie in the car with us, we realized that if it kept snowing that by the time church and the Christmas part were over we might have a situation where everyone was stuck. So with two cell phones we began going down the list calling those we could telling them that we'd have to cancel services. Br. Earl put a notice on WWNY for us. I hope you all had a nice restful day. We decided to leave the tables up. We'll get a cake and have a little party after church. Sis. Kay sent me this link and I think you will really enjoy it. The First Christmas Gift

We did not do another video or audio this week so here is an audio sermon from our archives called "I will build My church" Simply click on the button.

Getting ready for the Christmas Party

2008-12-15T20:20:00.014-05:00

It's time again for the Living Waters Christmas Party. This year we will hold it at the church after morning service...aprox. 12:15. Games and prizes and fellowship have made our celebration something to look forward to all year. Pastors sermon will be from the Cradle to the Cross will remind us of the great gift that God gave us through Jesus.

This weeks video teaching is Kingdom Principles 3. It deals with Unity in the body of Christ and avoiding divison. Click the triangle on the player to start the video.

Recent Video

2008-12-11T22:35:00.004-05:00

I'm testing to see if I can put a mini player here on the blog of the recent video teaching.

LWFChurchblog

Nehemiah 8:13-18 Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles

Nehemiah 8:1-11 "Learning the Word'

Nehemiah 7 "Guard what you've built"

Nehemiah 6:15-19 "Disloyal leaders"

Nehemiah 6: 1-14 But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

Remember me O God: Nehemiah 5

Nehemiah 4:10-21: Remember the Lord

Nehemiah: What to do when things get heavy.

Intensified Attack.

Nehemiah 4:1-6:Tactics of the enemy Part 1

Nehemiah 3: Putting Your Shoulder to the Work.

Nehemiah: Sharing the Vision

Nehemiah: When not to broadcast your vision.

Nehemiah 2 : Enemies Revealed

Nehemiah: The Favor of the Lord

Nehemiah: Bold in Prayer

Nehemiah: If you confess your sin.

Nehemiah: God Keeps Covenant and is Merciful

Nehemiah: Allowing God to make His heart's desire our heart's desire

Nehemiah: News From Home

Come Boldly To the Throne of Grace

Hebrews 4:16

Ponderings of the Resurrection

Reflections of the Ressurection season

Mark 8 through Mark 12

Mark 3 through 7

More NT Readng Questions. Did Jesus minister to the Gentiles?

Some good Questions as we Read through the New Testament

Matthew 28-Mark 2

Matthew Chapter 21 through 25

Matthew Chapter 16 through 20

LWF Reads Through the NT Matthew 11 through 15

Sermon and Sunday School

Reading through the New Testament Chapters 6 through 10

Christmas: What does it really mean to you?

Isn't the Snow Pretty

Giving Thanks

Sermon and Sunday School

Blessing Others

The Blessing of the Lord

Create A Clean Spirit Within Me

Things that Grieve the Holy Spirit

Stand

God in times of trouble

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! NLT

The Protection of God

The Voice of God

The Heart of God

He Restores My Soul

A Strong Wind Is Blowing

First Ministry Experience

Hidden Things

Hidden Things

Growing in Christ

No More Manna

Resurrection Day

Be Alert

Your Own Song

God's Best...Our Best

Encourage One Another

Reactions

.Taking Inventory

The Journey Book Club January 8th

Christmas Miracles

God's Presence in a hectic life

Finding His Presence in Thanksgiving

God's Presence: Staying the Course in Hard Times

The presence of God in a Christ Followers life

What is in a Sign?

Everyone Needs some help once in awhile

God is on the Throne

God Stirs Hearts

Sermons and Sunday School

Sunday School and Sermon Video

Sunday Sermon

Larry Hosmer's Testimony

Sunday Sermons

¹ God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. ³ Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! NLT