Friday, January 22, 2010
Sin Has No Limits
I have been thinking a lot lately about how sin really is. It is called "dung" Philippians 3:8 KJV. And something God HATES! Matter of fact if a sin where to be in His presece God would destroy it! But also this thought accured to me that sin always leads downward, and when you say that I'll do this sin and go no farther the more you practice it the more you have to set aside the standards that you set. Take for example alcohal. You first start out trying it because of your friends "peer presure" and you stop after 1 or 2 drinks and you tell yourself that you will stop at 2 drinks and that you'll never be a alcohalic because you can stop when ever you want. But then your friend asks if you've ever gotta buzz and so you end up telling yourself that you can have a few more drinks than 2 maybe 4 or 5 what will it hurt? It's not like your a drunk you only drink around your friends. The buzz felt pretty good last time so it's the middle of the week and Saturday is too far away, so you tell yourself just this once that you can drink a few to relax and gett a buzz but next week you'll wait tell Saturday with your friends. On and on the cycle goes adding 1 more day telling yourself that you'll go no farther and that you can stop whenever you want. Fist it was just with friends and for diferent events like Birthday partys now your drinking every day and any event will do, you start to make up events like today is your Aunts Birthday so you need to drink to celebrate her life even though you don't like her very much and haven't seen her for 20 years. Pretty soon your drinking so much that you loose your job and a lot of your friends and family don't want to be around you because you get out of control when your drunk. So you can see by just this one example the downward spiral of sin it always leads you farther than you wanna go, and takes you farther than you wanna go. On a possitive note Jesus is the answer to this problem as Romans 7:25a says Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord and Romans 8:1-2 says So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. Let Jesus set you free friend and you'll be free indeed John 8:36
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Long time no see! (Christmas is almost here!)
As a children's Pastor I teach Launch Pad (Preschool age)on Sunday and I lead several chapels during the week for the children based on age. This month I'm teaching them about Our wonderful Saviors birth And the verse for this week is Isaiah 9:6a And This Sunday It's the rest of this verse part b.
Isaiah 9:6a For to us a child is born to us a son is given
Isaiah 9:6b His name shall be called Wonderful, The mighty God, The Prince of Peace.
Christmas has always been my favorite season of the year since both my bithday and my brothers birthday are this month. I love setting up the tree, drinking egg nog, eating all those Christmas goodies, singing Christmas carols, and giving and recieving gifts. But I've noticed if we're not careful we can let this wonderful season pass us by with all the hustle and bustle that surrounds it. Let's look at the verses above and think about what they mean. That a Child was born a Son was given He was born into this world to take our sins and give us a relationship with Him. With out Jesus we'd go to hell literally! His name is Wonderful, He's sooo wonderful isn't He? The Mighty God, Nothing is impossible for Him He is able to handle ALL of life problems! The Prince of Peace, He gives us peace not like the world talks about and hopes for but peace the surpasses understanding we can be calm in the midst of chaos! So I chalenge all who read this to look upon the one who was a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, the King of Kings Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ "The reason for the season!"
Isaiah 9:6a For to us a child is born to us a son is given
Isaiah 9:6b His name shall be called Wonderful, The mighty God, The Prince of Peace.
Christmas has always been my favorite season of the year since both my bithday and my brothers birthday are this month. I love setting up the tree, drinking egg nog, eating all those Christmas goodies, singing Christmas carols, and giving and recieving gifts. But I've noticed if we're not careful we can let this wonderful season pass us by with all the hustle and bustle that surrounds it. Let's look at the verses above and think about what they mean. That a Child was born a Son was given He was born into this world to take our sins and give us a relationship with Him. With out Jesus we'd go to hell literally! His name is Wonderful, He's sooo wonderful isn't He? The Mighty God, Nothing is impossible for Him He is able to handle ALL of life problems! The Prince of Peace, He gives us peace not like the world talks about and hopes for but peace the surpasses understanding we can be calm in the midst of chaos! So I chalenge all who read this to look upon the one who was a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, the King of Kings Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ "The reason for the season!"
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Seeing Jesus in the midst of your storm
I recently spoke at our Church's Men's Breakfast and was praying about what to share and God impressed this message on my heart. With our broken economy, and people struggling all around us, may this message breathe LIFE and HOPE in to you as you SEE JESUS IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM.
Seeing Jesus in the midst of your storm
Introduction- A seagoing captain commanded a passenger ship that was sailing from Liverpool, England, to New York. His family was on board with him. One night when everyone was asleep, a squall unexpectedly swept over the waters and tossed the ship violently, awakening the passengers. They were all terribly afraid because of the storm. The captain's little 8-year-old girl was also awakened. 'What's the matter?" cried the frightened child. Her mother told her that a sudden storm had struck the ship. 'Is Father on deck?" she asked. 'Yes, Father's on deck," came the encouraging answer. Hearing this, the little girl snuggled back into her bed and in a few moments was sound asleep. The winds still blew and the waves still rolled, but her fears were calmed because her father was at the helm.
We all go through storms in life in fact like Pastor Jeff has said your either going through a storm, coming out of a storm or going into a storm.
Mark 4:35-41
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
1. Jesus knows where you’re at
a. God has not forgot you
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Hebrews 13:5
"I will never leave you; I will never forget you." never walk off and leave you,"
b. He’s there in the midst of the storm
2. Jesus meets you where you are
a. Don’t freak out or worry!
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NKJV)But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
b. Rest in His peace
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
3. We need to see Jesus for who He is!
a. Jesus is bigger than your storm
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
b. Ask Jesus to increase your faith
-Faith speaks to the storm and says peace be still
-Faith speaks to the mountain and says go throw your self into the sea
-Faith speaks to the giant
1 Samuel 17:41-47
41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
Conclusion- Jesus is here this morning and He wants you to see Him in the midst of your storm no matter how big it is He will see you through. Jesus knows where you’re at, Jesus meets you where you are, and we need to see Jesus for who He is. Cry out to Him this morning!
Seeing Jesus in the midst of your storm
Introduction- A seagoing captain commanded a passenger ship that was sailing from Liverpool, England, to New York. His family was on board with him. One night when everyone was asleep, a squall unexpectedly swept over the waters and tossed the ship violently, awakening the passengers. They were all terribly afraid because of the storm. The captain's little 8-year-old girl was also awakened. 'What's the matter?" cried the frightened child. Her mother told her that a sudden storm had struck the ship. 'Is Father on deck?" she asked. 'Yes, Father's on deck," came the encouraging answer. Hearing this, the little girl snuggled back into her bed and in a few moments was sound asleep. The winds still blew and the waves still rolled, but her fears were calmed because her father was at the helm.
We all go through storms in life in fact like Pastor Jeff has said your either going through a storm, coming out of a storm or going into a storm.
Mark 4:35-41
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
1. Jesus knows where you’re at
a. God has not forgot you
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Hebrews 13:5
"I will never leave you; I will never forget you." never walk off and leave you,"
b. He’s there in the midst of the storm
2. Jesus meets you where you are
a. Don’t freak out or worry!
Matthew 6:25-34
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NKJV)But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
b. Rest in His peace
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
3. We need to see Jesus for who He is!
a. Jesus is bigger than your storm
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
b. Ask Jesus to increase your faith
-Faith speaks to the storm and says peace be still
-Faith speaks to the mountain and says go throw your self into the sea
-Faith speaks to the giant
1 Samuel 17:41-47
41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!”
Conclusion- Jesus is here this morning and He wants you to see Him in the midst of your storm no matter how big it is He will see you through. Jesus knows where you’re at, Jesus meets you where you are, and we need to see Jesus for who He is. Cry out to Him this morning!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Count Your Blessings
1. For my wonderful wife Ruth whose as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside!
2. For my kids they are a gift from above
3. For my friends at church who have become my family
4. For 10 years here!
5. For a house filled with love
6. For Jesus' love and grace I am nothing without Him
7. For an awesome job! Where I have sooo many oportunitys to share God's word
8. For the Source bookstore God's given me a big vision for it!
9. For facebook, no really I'm not playing I have been able to connect with people from my past that I probably never would have heard from again.
10. For Ice Cream on a hot day like today. It's the simple things in life sometimes that bring us the most joy.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Hold on don't let go!
Hold on don’t let go!
Introduction- When I was a kid I loved wrestling I watched 2 hours of WCW every Saturday. Watching guys like Rick Flair, the Road Warriors, and Rockin’ Roll express. I also watched the WWF with all their guys like Hulk Hogan, and Jake the snake Roberts. I practiced and practiced until I could sound like one of my favorites “Oh ya brother!” Macho Man Randy Savage. What does any of this have to do with God you may be asking yourself? Good question! I’m glad you asked! Because I’m going to mention the very first wrestling match between Jesus and Jacob.
Genesis 32:24-31 24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” 29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.
Three things are constantly trying to pull us away from God, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Hold on don’t let go!
1. The World
John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
a. Money/greed *sin is never satisfied
b. Power/being at the top
c. Fame/Every one will know you some day. Your sooo important!
John 17:6 My followers do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.
Hold on don’t let go!
2. The Flesh
Romans 7:18 Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me - I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them.
a. The old life- Sex/pleasure, Drugs/Alcohol
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
b. The new life 2 corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
c. New plans new destiny! Jeremiah 29:11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity (hope) and not disaster (evil), plans to bring about the future you hope for.
Hold on don’t let go!
3. The devil
a. He is the Father of lies- John 8:44
b. He comes as an angel of light- 2 Corinthians 11:14
c. His Job is to kill, steal, and destroy
d. He is defeated!
1 John 3:8 The Son of God came for this purpose: to destroy the devil's work.
Hold on don’t let go!
Conclusion- The beautiful thing is Jesus didn’t leave us alone in this fight with the world, flesh, and the devil. He has given us weapons to fight with. The Armor of God which covers our whole body, the Belt of truth, breast plate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit. and in Isaiah 59:19 it says When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. The word standard in Hebrew means- to flee, escape, to put to flight, to cause to disappear, and hide. I’m not letting anything pull me away from Jesus I’m holding on and not letting go!
Introduction- When I was a kid I loved wrestling I watched 2 hours of WCW every Saturday. Watching guys like Rick Flair, the Road Warriors, and Rockin’ Roll express. I also watched the WWF with all their guys like Hulk Hogan, and Jake the snake Roberts. I practiced and practiced until I could sound like one of my favorites “Oh ya brother!” Macho Man Randy Savage. What does any of this have to do with God you may be asking yourself? Good question! I’m glad you asked! Because I’m going to mention the very first wrestling match between Jesus and Jacob.
Genesis 32:24-31 24 This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. 25 When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” 28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” 29 “Please tell me your name,” Jacob said. “Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip.
Three things are constantly trying to pull us away from God, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Hold on don’t let go!
1. The World
John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
a. Money/greed *sin is never satisfied
b. Power/being at the top
c. Fame/Every one will know you some day. Your sooo important!
John 17:6 My followers do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.
Hold on don’t let go!
2. The Flesh
Romans 7:18 Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me - I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them.
a. The old life- Sex/pleasure, Drugs/Alcohol
Hebrews 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
b. The new life 2 corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
c. New plans new destiny! Jeremiah 29:11 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity (hope) and not disaster (evil), plans to bring about the future you hope for.
Hold on don’t let go!
3. The devil
a. He is the Father of lies- John 8:44
b. He comes as an angel of light- 2 Corinthians 11:14
c. His Job is to kill, steal, and destroy
d. He is defeated!
1 John 3:8 The Son of God came for this purpose: to destroy the devil's work.
Hold on don’t let go!
Conclusion- The beautiful thing is Jesus didn’t leave us alone in this fight with the world, flesh, and the devil. He has given us weapons to fight with. The Armor of God which covers our whole body, the Belt of truth, breast plate of righteousness, shoes of the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit. and in Isaiah 59:19 it says When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. The word standard in Hebrew means- to flee, escape, to put to flight, to cause to disappear, and hide. I’m not letting anything pull me away from Jesus I’m holding on and not letting go!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
I'm Counting My Blessings Again and Again!
Count Your Blessings Hym
Count Your Blessings
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Refrain
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Refrain
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