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Saturday, August 18, 2012

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS MESSAGE

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART - PART ONE

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART - PART TWO

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART - PART THREE

Good Treasure of The Heart

Sermon by Pastor Mark Taylor

“A good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; and an evil person out the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:35)

Our Lord Jesus is giving us a life principle in these scriptures which is recorded also in Luke 6:45. It is very important for us to guard our minds, our mouths, and our hearts, because what ever goes into our hearts and minds will come out of our mouths and out in our actions. This applies to our spiritual life, our professional life, and our relationships with others. This is not just a principle of “positive thinking”, but of “positive living”. For the purpose of this message this principle is specific to those who love the Lord and are serving Him. It does apply to everyone in a general sense, Christian and Non-Christian, but the blessings promised are to God’s children.

First, let me say that I do not think everything that bad happens to us is a result of bad thinking or bad living. There are times when we have unexpected health problems like cancer, diabetes, or heart problems that can be related to heredity or just general environmental reasons. There are also times when we are Attacked by Satan using others or even nature itself. A storm could come through your area and destroy your home, an accident could occur leaving you disabled, and many other things could happen to you that are not related to bad thinking or bad choices. You and I do not have control over outside forces that act upon our lives. Paul was often beaten and put into prison just for preaching God's Word and living a Godly life. This was not the result of bad thinking on Paul's part, but God gave Him the strength to get through those difficult days.

This message is not to bring guilt or condemnation upon you. The Bible says: "There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus". (Romans 8:1)

The purpose of this message is to help you change your thinking and living to prevent unnecessary heartache and defeat as you live your daily lives. One thing we do have control over is our thought live and our responses to others and choices we make.

Good thoughts and actions do not produce bad results. Bad thoughts and actions do not produce good results. Nothing can come from a seed that is planted except the fruit it was designed to produce. If you plant corn, you will get corn. If you plant weeds, you will get weeds. People understand this law in the natural world and use it to produce good things they can use and eat. But few understand this as a spiritual law that works in our lives.

Every thought-seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own results, good or bad. These seeds will blossom sooner or later into an act. Your thoughts will bear a fruit of opportunity or a circumstance of failure. Good thoughts produce good fruit, and bad thoughts produce bad fruit.

A person is literally what they think. Your character is the complete sum of all your thoughts. Your mind is like a garden which may be spiritually and intelligently cultivated to bring success and happiness or allowed to run wild and produce failure and unhappiness. Intellectual and professional achievements are the result of thought dedicated to the search of knowledge and developing skills. Spiritual achievement is the result of holy aspirations and goals empowered by he Holy Spirit to aid you in self-control, resolution, purity, righteousness, and well-directed thoughts.

Success and happiness do not just randomly happen. It is something that God wants us to have and He has a plan for us to achieve it. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a good future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Your thoughts not only produce the kind of fruit you think, but also the quantity. “He which sows sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (2 Corinthians 9:6). If your thoughts are always negative, you will reap a lot of negative results in your life. If your thoughts are good, a lot of good things will happen in your life.

Our Lord wants us to be optimistic in difficult times and even be happy when the world around us is not a happy place. “In this world, you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Optimistic people become successes in school, at work, on the playing field and in relationships. They are successful because of what they do when they feel they have run up against a brick wall. What one does is the difference between helplessness and success, They learn how to keep going and do not quit. The child of God says and believes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

The way we think about life can actually diminish or enlarge the control we have over it. The pessimist can become paralyzed by fear and the very thought “Nothing I do matters”, prevents them from acting. Pessimistic prophecies are self-fulfilling.. One of the most significant findings in psychology in the last twenty years is that individuals can choose the way they think. Isn’t it amazing that the Bible told us about this 4000 years ago: “For as a person thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

The Lord is saying to us all today, to think about how you treat yourself and in turn others. “You have planted much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough, you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you put clothes on yourself, but there in no warmth;; and he that earns wages, earns wages to put into bags with holes. Thus says the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:6-7). This is what happens to people who live a life of pessimism. Will you “Consider your ways”?

You may say that you cannot help the way you feel, but you can control what you think. And when you control what you think and what you say to yourself, your feelings will change.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

Think about what you think about!! Are you constantly thinking that you are a “victim” of life. “In every things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18). When bad things happen to you, and they will to all of us, take this attitude and things will change. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Every day we have the opportunity to do something good for someone without expecting something in return. Each of us has God-given talents and abilities we can use to make life better for others. You may feel and say that nothing good ever happens to me. It may be that you are not planting the right kind of seeds to get the harvest you desire. Service and love toward others is part of the “good treasure” our Lord was speaking about. You can’t out give God with your time, money or service to others. The more you give, the more treasure you will receive in this life time and in Heaven.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

EXCUSES

Excuses

Pastor Mark Taylor

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).

When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, He called him to the task of leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In response, Moses gave excuses as to why he did not think he was the man for the job. Today, I would like for us to look at those excuses and God’s response. Then let us examine what the Lord is asking us to do and apply God’s answers to Moses to our calling.

Moses first excuse was “Who am I?” Though he was once a member of the ruling house of Egypt, he was now a lowly shepherd. It had been 40 years since he had been in Egypt and now he was 80 years old. He believed he was insufficient for the task God was asking him to do. What about you and me? What has he called you to do? Maybe it is as simple as going living a Christian life and influencing others to come to the knowledge of the love of Christ. You may feel that you are too old, too young, or simply not good enough. It is true that without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all insufficient in strength and ability. But God’s answer to Moses was: “And He said, Certainly I will be with you;” (Exodus 3:12). God has also given us that promise. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20). Reach out to others today with the message of the love of Christ and don’t make excuses of what you cannot do. Instead, make this verse your life motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:13 ).

Moses second excuse for not going was “What shall I say?” (Exodus 3:13). We try to excuse ourselves by saying that our knowledge is inadequate. God told Moses what he needed to say in response to others questions. God has told us what to say. “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” (1 John 3:23-24). Talk about Jesus and His love.

A third excuse was “Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'" (Exodus 4:1). The fear of failure often keeps people from trying to follow the Lord. God gave Moses convincing proofs and He gives us the Word of God to produce faith in us. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). Today we have the evidences concerning the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, and His promises to be with us when we proclaim His Words and His Love. “"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6).

A fourth excuse Moses gave God: “Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." (Exodus 4:10). God already knows the inability and shortcomings of those He calls. But our God is a God of miracles and He can give you what you need to get His job done. “But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27).

Moses’ real excuse: "Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." (Exodus 4:12-13). He simply did not want to go. It may be true with us that we would really rather that God would use someone else. Send someone else to visit the sick. Send someone else to invite people to church.

Someone else can pray. Someone else can give their money and time.

With Moses we know that He did answer the call and was successful in delivering the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. What about us? Will we heed the call to use our gifts and abilities for the service of the Lord? Moses is with the Lord right now enjoying his salvation and rewards for making the right decision. It is an honor to be called by God and to serve Him. If you put aside your excuses you will hear Him say to you: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

Saturday, August 4, 2012

VISION + FAITH + ACTION = VICTORY

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS MESSAGE

VICTORY - PART ONE

VICTORY - PART TWO

VICTORY - PART THREE

Vision+Faith+Action=Victory

Joshua 6:1-20

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

In the life of an individual, a church, a family, or an organization, God has a purpose and plan. But Success does not “just happen”. There are many places in God’s Word where we are given formulas for success and victory in every area of our lives. The recorded event of the fall of Jericho is one of those victories that seemed “impossible” until God showed up. Vision+Faith+Action=Victory. This is the formula that God has used over and over again with His people.

Jericho was a fortified city. There were two walls that surrounded the entire city, and each wall was posted with armed guards. The outer wall was six feet thick, and the inner was twelve feet thick. As far as mere man was concerned the walls were impossible to break through. But, with God all things are possible! The walls fell flat before the children of God.

God told Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be confused: for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). There is probably a great wall separating you from something you want to accomplish in your life. If it is God’s will for you to succeed in your vision, these words are for you. The first step is to make sure we have prayed and asked if our vision is God’s vision for us. Our prayer should be: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). We need to pray as our Lord Jesus prayed: “...not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:29).

The children of God, under the leadership of Joshua, are about to enter the land of promise. By faith, they were to cross the swelling Jordan River by following the ark of God as it was carried by the priests. God had already told them that the land was theirs for the taking, and that their possession of the land was limited only by their vision to obtain it.

Jericho was a strong city which had closed its walls and gates to the people of Israel. Jericho must have looked to Joshua like an “impossible” enemy. God promised, however, “I have given into your hand, Jericho, its king, and the mighty men of valor.” (Vs 2). When faced with an overwhelming task such as overcoming a city’s walls without firing a single offensive weapon; it is imperative that we trust the one directing us for his knowledge of the victory already won Getting the right vision involves prayer, worship, and waiting.

The orders were, to say the least, unusual. Walk around the city for six days, blow horns, shout and march all seemed to be militarily crazy. Almost a mockery of traditional military attack plans. But then again, if this were a normal attack then how could God get the glory? The command was to go around the city six times; six being the number of man. The seventh day was to be the day of victory; seven being the number of God and the number of completion.

The marching and preparation are symbolic of prayer and meditation before doing as the Lord has directed. Prayer is our communication/conversation with God. : “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (I John 5:14-15). Prayer is communicating to God that we trust him and are truly seeking His will

After we have our vision clear and in line with God’s will, we must have faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Joshua received a command from God. He was given a vision. He responded in faith.

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were walked around for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). Not by force, firepower, finances, or fighting...but by FAITH.

There is no doubt but that there are walls of obstacles that rise up before us. It is not up to us to devise the plan of how it will all happen. It is simply up to us to lay hold of God’s vision for His will in our lives….to have faith that God will provide every means to do whatever He leads us to do…and then to respond in faith. Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends. Faith is the belief in God’s ability to accomplish the impossible. Our Lord said: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). A flawed vision is one in which we expect to have everything easy, and fail to realize it takes work to bring the vision to pass, even one given and orchestrated by God.

There is no such thing as a online course for swimming. If you want to swim you must get in the pool. Faith requires getting wet. And God can’t steer a parked car!. He requires you to start the engine and get behind the wheel. If you want to see God work in your life, you must take action. “Faith, if it does not have works, is dead, being alone...” (James 2:17).

Vision+Faith+Action=Victory. This is the formula that God has used over and over again with His people.

There are many blessings which are ours. There are blessings which God has given us in Christ. They are there for the taking, but blessings which will only be enjoyed when we begin to wage war and conquer the Jerichos of our life. The Children of Israel had to conquer Jericho before the land could be possessed and the blessings enjoyed. And we too as Christians have to wage war against and overcome those Jerichos of personal sin which stand in the way of our entering into a fuller and deeper and richer experience of the Blessings of our inheritance in Christ. The Christian life is a life of conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil. We are meant to be waging war against the enemies of our soul. Sin and unbelief will block our way from going on into the deeper experiences of spiritual blessing.

Let us all get a vision, live by faith, and take action as we walk with the Lord Jesus Christ each day. We will then rejoice as we enter our promised land called Heaven and hear our Savior’s Words: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT

Video Links To This Message

BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART ONE
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART TWO
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART THREE
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART FOUR

“BE ANGRY, AND SIN NOT”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

Sunday Morning - July 29, 2012

“Be angry and sin not...do not give the devil a foothold”

Ephesians 4:26,28

Our God has feelings just like we do. He is an emotional creator that made us in His image. He grieves, loves, and rejoices. There are even things that make Him angry. “You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?” (Psalm 76:7). God has anger and since we are created in His image, He has created us with the emotion of anger. The difference is that God’s anger is justified and is a righteous anger. He does not just “lose His temper” and lash out against us or the world. He is angry at sin. It is His way of telling us something is wrong, and we need to get it right.

Anger is common for all of us. But it can destroy us and hurt those around us unless it is vented in a positive and Godly way.

It is also true that “God is Love”. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that does not love, does not know God: for God is love.” (I John 4:7-8). There is no contradiction in God being love and having anger. God’s anger is consistent with His goodness and love. Because God is righteous and holy too, He desires for you and I to live a holy life. “He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Peter 1:15-16).

When something is wrong with our bodies, the brain sends messages to our body in the form of pain. When your anger is out of control, you are in pain. Your uncontrolled temper makes others fear you, and makes you feel guilty and lonely. Unhealthy anger destroys the ability to enjoy life. It robs us of peace and causes regret, guilt, same, and fractured relationships.

Our anger comes from many sources. The chances are that adult children of angry parents will themselves demonstrate anger in hurtful ways. And even worse, it becomes a cycle in which the next generation of children will have an angry spirit deep within them. There is no “quick fix” to bring us to the goal where we can “be angry and sin not”. It is a process with our Lord Jesus helping us each step of the way.

The point of this message is to give us all some strategies to overcome explosive anger that hurts us and others.

The first thing we must all do is to take personal responsibility for our unhealthy anger. If others have confronted you and told you that you have an anger problem, maybe they are right. You may have been raised in an abusive environment and no doubt it has had an effect on you. But now you must say that this is my problem, and I am going to have to deal with it. There is a song that states: “it is not my brother, not my sister, not my father, not my mother, but it is me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”

Secondly, be willing to do something about it. Life is about choices. Anger is a learned conscious choice that can become a bad habit. Habits are formed by repetition over a long period of time. Anger eruptions are learned habits too. They have been formed and developed over many years.

Make a choice to change and with the help of God’s redeeming grace, counseling, study, a support group, or even medical treatment if needed, you can “be angry and sin not”. Explosive anger didn’t develop over night and it is going to take some time to replace it with better responses. We either take control of anger or it will take control over us. Fire under control is useful, but fire out of control destroys everything in its path. “He that is quickly made angry will act foolishly.” (Proverbs 14:17).

Our Lord certainly controlled His anger when threatened and criticized again and again by the Pharisees. Our Lord is a model for living. When He could convince them of their sins, He calmly and assertively told them what He thought about their sinful lives. When He could not make them see God’s point of view, He knew when to walk away. If someone is trying to attack your self-worth or something you dearly believe in, you can state your position in a calm, respectful manner like Jesus did, or simply make a statement that you do not wish to discuss the matter any longer.

Another strategy to help you overcome anger that is hurtful to you and others, is to avoid being around people who are angry people. “Make no friendship with an angry person; and do not go with a furious person; because you may learn his ways, and cause pain to your soul.” (Proverbs 22:24).

Probably the best strategy to use in controlling your anger is to replace it with God’s love. I think this is part of what our Lord meant when He said: “Bur I say unto you...whosoever shall hit you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39). As a child of God and as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, you do not always have to have the “last word”. You do not always have to get your way. And you do not have to get even. All of these things will lead you to sin. God’s Word also tells us: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). When you find yourself becoming angry with someone, try to change the conversation or move the situation in a different direction so the other person is not hurt by your anger. Avoid talking about subjects that you know will anger the other person and in turn make you angry at their response to you. Sometimes it is best not to talk about politics, religion, or social issues with people who have opposite views from what you have.

God wants you to be happy and healthy. Anger can cause you to loose both. Ask the Holy Spirit today to begin working in your heart to change the way you respond to things that make you angry. God is full of mercy and we should be also. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

(Thanks to Rev. Dan White for allowing me to use many of his thoughts and words in this sermon)

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS VIDEO LINKS

John 10:10 states that Satan's Mission is to destroy the children of God. Below are the video links to a message I have recently preached and posted on our site. This message will give you practical ways to ask the Lord Jesus to protect you from these attacks.

"The thief (Satan) comes for no other reason but to steal, kill, and destroy: I am come that you may have life, and that you might have it more abundantly." ( John 10:10)

SATAN'SWARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS - PART ONE

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS - PART TWO

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS - PART THREE

Saturday, July 21, 2012

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS

Satan’s Warfare Against Christians

Zechariah 3:1-7

1. Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Joshua. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

3 Joshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Joshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.” 5 Then I said, “They should also place a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean priestly turban on his head and dressed him in new clothes while the angel of the Lord stood by. 6 Then the angel of the Lord spoke very solemnly to Joshua and said, 7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here.

This scene occurs in heaven. The setting is like a courtroom where God is the judge, Joshua, the high priest is the defendant, and Satan is the prosecutor. Satan appears to have a case against Joshua because Joshua is wearing filthy garments and the high priest was to wear clean clothes.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” (Revelation 12:10).

We have learned that as the deceiver Satan uses lies to attack the mind to make us ignorant of Gods will. If Satan cannot defeat you by deceiving your mind, He will try to destroy your body. Then he goes after your will. Suppose that the believer does not take advantage of their victorious position in Christ. Suppose they refuse to use the spiritual defenses provided. The believer sins, what then? You would think that Satan, having led the person into sin would leave them to suffer the consequences, but this does not happen. Satan has one more trick up his sleeve to make the Christian doubly defeated.

Joshua, the high priest stands before guilty before God. Satan stands at his right hand to accuse him. Jesus stands at God’s right hand to represent Joshua and restore him. This explains why Jesus returned to heaven with wounds not scares. Did God close his eyes to the reality of Joshua’s sin? Of course not! God will never defend his children’s sins, he will however defend his children. When Abraham lied in Egypt, he defended Abraham not his sin. When you listen to Satan’s accusations, you will focus your attention on yourself and your sin, this will lead to defeat and despair. When we listen to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, we will look by faith to Jesus, our advocate at the throne of God. Satan will accuse you. You do not have to listen. Turn by Faith to Jesus our advocate, and confess our sins to him. Depend on what God’s word says, not on how you feel.

How did Joshua feel? How do you feel when you purposely sin against the Savior who loves you and has given Himself for you? He was broken hearted as you and I should be when we are confronted and convicted with our sins by the Holy Spirit.

Often though it is not only the Holy Spirit, but Satan who moves in to kill us spiritually and physically. He attacks us in our heart and conscience. Remember how God looks at you as His child: “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who ahas called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (I Peter 2:9)

Satan’s weapon is accusation When Satan talks to you about God, he lies. When he talks about you to God he sometimes tells the truth. He is the accuser of the brethren. He has access to heaven, the very throne of God. There he reminds God of the condition of his saints. We must learn between Satan’s accusations and God’s conviction. Guilt and shame only good if comes from Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit convicts you, he uses the word of God in love and seeks to bring you into fellowship with the father like He did Peter. When Satan accuses you, he uses our own sin in a hateful way, and seeks to make us feel helpless and hopeless like he did Judas.

Despair and spiritual paralysis result from listening to Satan’s accusations. When you have that helpless hopeless feeling, you can be sure Satan is accusing you. We cannot control the origins of our troubles, but we can control the outcome.

Satan’s purpose is to bring an indictment by God’s will. Satan wants you to feel guilty. He wants us to experience regret and remorse, but not repentance. He wants to keep accusing you so that you focus your attention on yourself and your sins. Walk by faith not by sight. When you look away by faith to Jesus, you will repent and confess.. You will find cleansing and restoration. As long as you are feeling guilty, you are under indictment and you are moving farther and farther from the lord.. As Christians we must not fall into Satan’s trap . There is a place for spiritual conviction. Excessive guilt and sorrow can only lead to depression, despair, and defeat.

Our defense is the interceding Son of God. In another military battle, God told His people: “Be not afraid nor confused by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s....You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, you stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you.” (II Chronicles 20:15,17). Your part in this battle against Satan is to worship the Lord and praise His name for giving you the victory.

Satan stands at our right hand to resist us and accuse us. But it is also true that Jesus stands at God’s right hand to intercede for us. “If any person sins, they have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1). Jesus finished His work on earth and returned to heaven to take up His unfinished work. He is perfecting us and preparing us for glory. He intercedes for us and provides the grace that we need when we are tested and tempted.. If by faith we turn to him and come to the throne of grace he will see us through to victory. If we yield to temptation and sin, then he ministers as our advocate to forgive us and restore us to fellowship once again. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Don't get discouraged and quit because God has not given up on you, He is on your side.

Friday, July 20, 2012

MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS - VIDEO

(Click below to see a Video of This Recent Mission Trip)

FRIENDSHIP MISSION TRIP – JULY 2012 VIDEOS

Over 300 People were given Food Bags containing rice, beans, sugar, and flour for several meals. Pastors were given bicycles to allow them to travel to their churches instead of walking for hours.

A playground was built for a Christian Elementary School.

Many people had the opportunity to receive Christ as their Savior and rededicated their lives to loving and serving the Lord.