LOVING ONE ANOTHER WITH WORDS

 Loving One Another With Words

By Pastor Mark Taylor

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue"

Proverbs 18:21

It doesn’t matter what age group you are in, the impact of words can tear down or build up the person who uses them and the person who hears them    A study by the University of Maryland found that women speak about 20,000 words per day and men average 7,000 per day. Today, my sermon will have about 1500 words in it.  The point is not how much we say, but how many are words of love or encouragement.

I am not going to spend much time on negative and offensive language.  The Bible along with most research shows that being under it's influence  causes physical, mental, social, and spiritual problems.  This includes complaining, moaning, whining, and hurtful language.  Most of have been hurt by negative words by parents, teachers or friends.

1.  The words we use are stored in the heart and mind, and when we “speak our mind”, it is the overflow of what is stored in our hearts.  We need to be careful what we put in our minds and hearts.  Our Lord said: "A good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil person out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45).

While our Lord walked this Earth He used His words to heal people and encourage His friends and followers.  How will You use your words?  Our Lord's Words were used to help and encourage those who loved Him.

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Some people feel loved when they hear words of encouragement.  You can tell if this is a person's "Love Language" by listening how they speak to others.  If they are generous with their words of praise and encouragement to others, then they usually feel loved when others speak to them in this language.  But even if it is not their primary "Love Language", everyone feels loved when others praise or recognize their worth and value through words. 

2.  If you want to demonstrate your love to others, this is one of the most effective ways to do it.  Many people will go through a whole day at work, school, or home without anyone giving them one compliment or word of encouragement.  One way to show love through encouraging words is to 

Practice this love language of encouraging words to the waitress that serves you your meal, to the cashier who rings up your groceries and puts them in a bag for you, and to your husband, wife and children when they do an act of kindness to you.  At least you can say "Thank You".  But you can go beyond that and compliment them on the good job they have done in serving you.  

One of the most powerful human relations skills is learning how to encourage other people.  Look for, and find the good in people, and then tell them what you found.  Find reasons for praise and applause.  Support others by reinforcing what they do well.  Sincere praise brings out the best in us.  God the Father uses encouraging words: “Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1:11).

3.  Words like many other things we do are choices.  We can look for the good in others and in every situation.  We can choose to use good words to.  If you take the time to think before you speak you can be an encourager instead of a complainer or a carrier of bad words.  Look for the good instead of the bad, the right instead of the wrong,

  We are just as free to choose positive and encouraging things to say as we are to complain.  People need to feel loved.  They need to be made to feel that their lives matter and that they are important.  

4.  Below are some ways to love one another and love God with words:

Give encouragement; Express thanks; Acknowledge others; Give a compliment;

Congratulate those you love; Offer words of comfort; make others laugh; communicate your love in words; let others know you are praying for them.

Catch your children or grandchildren doing something good and compliment them on how good they did instead of being critical about the things they didn't do, or didn't do up to your expectations.  A positive verbal environment is one in which children feel valued . It fosters in them positive feelings and beliefs about themselves and others.    

Write a note or send a text to your Pastor. (Don't wait until Pastor's appreciation month), Sunday School teacher, or spiritual mentor and thank them for sharing God's precious Word with you. Tell your wife or husband how much you appreciate something they have done for you. The more you use this "Love Language", the easier it will be to speak it.

4.  Let’s not forget the first commandment: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”  We are created in God’s image, and He desires that we show our love for Him.  One of those ways is “words of praise”.  “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalms 107:8).  

 He does desire our words of thanks, praise, and acknowledgement.  “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalms 136:1).

The most important thing you can do this week is to tell your Heavenly Father how much you love Him and appreciate the things He is doing for you.  Tell Him you appreciate Him sending His Son, the Lord Jesus to die for your sins and bringing you into a relationship with Him.

This “love language” is not just a suggestion for being a better person, it is a command from God.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8). 

5.  This week's homework is to practice using Words of Affirmation (encouragement), to show your love to your husband, wife, parents, children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and especially to your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Send a text, e-mail, or written note each day of this week  of encouragement  to someone.  At the end of the year you will have encouraged people at least 365 times.

Tell someone how much you appreciate them when they do something good for you - not just thank you, but thank you for .......

Practice giving compliments to others.

Ask the Lord Jesus today to give you more love for people.  Now you know one way to show love.  In the next message you will learn another way to show your love to God and to each other.  You will learn about showing your love with the “love language” of quality time.  

Remember, our Lord said:  "Give, and it will be given to you.."  Luke 6:38

Give forgiveness, and you will receive forgiveness.

Give love, and others will give you love.

Give words of encouragement, and others will give them to you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LOVE IN OUR LIVES

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

IMPORTANCE OF LOVE - PART ONE

IMPORTANCE OF LOVE - PART TWO

IMPORTANCE OF LOVE - PART THREE

“THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LOVE IN OUR LIVES”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”   (John 15:12)

Hopefully the Holy Spirit will reveal to you how important love is to your  church, to your  friends, to your family, and to your relationship with the person who loves you the most. and that is God.  The reason it is commanded is because it is necessary to operate in the kingdom of God.  If you worked in a factory with heavy machinery the command would be "Safety First".  If you were in the military the command would be "Following Orders".  In God's Kingdom It is to "Love". 

God's Word tells us that being able to love and love others is more important than having a good education.  It is more important than having a successful career.  It is more important than developing great skills and abilities.  It is more important than giving your life to a cause.  It is more important than feeding the poor or healing the sick.  Love is more important than generosity.  This is shown to us in 1 Corinthians 13 and throughout the Bible. 

Paul is saying to us, that even if you go to church every time the church doors are open, if you give large offerings, if you read your Bible faithfully, if you pray, & do all the things that a Christian person ought to do, but do not have love, you have missed the most important thing in life and that is love.  You are not fulfilling he purpose God has for your life.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotton Son.  That whosoever that believes in Him would not perish, but have every lasting life". (John 3:16)

How do you communicate love so the other person feels loved?  There are different ways to communicate love and they are what I will discuss during the next four weeks.

Words of affirmation   Gifts   Acts of service

Quality Time. Physical Touch

Each of has a way that makes us feel loved. And some have more than one way.  Couples very seldom communicate love in the same way.    You can identify how others feel loved by observing how they love you. What do they ask of you that they is meaningful to them..

But the key to demonstrating is to find an intentional way to use it.  I will give you several examples of ways to intentionally and purposefully do this in the next four weeks.  This series of messages is not just to set future goals but to be able to live in the present moment to demonstrate your love.

When I was born into God's family I inherited some of His characteristics and values.    I begin to have a love for Him and others that I did not have within myself.  I really did not know how to intentionally demonstrate that love.We need to start thinking like God thinks. Let us start asking the question WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?).  He is constantly thinking about love and how to show you His love to you.  But you cannot love others like God does until you know and love God - "For God is love." (I John 4:8)

So what does God want to do with His love since His nature is love?  He wants a relationship with the people He created. He wants a father son -  father daughter relationship.  That is the ultimate love relationship. He has sent the Holy Spirit to draw you into His love.    He wants you to be born into His family so He can share His love with you.  He is interested in you and loves you. 

To become a person who is totally connected to your Heavenly Father, you must find a way to do something with that Love He has put in you.

We all know the physical law of gravity and how it works.  There are also spiritual laws that apply to those who love God and have chosen to follow Him.

God knows and is trying to reveal to you, your greatest need and that is to be loved and feel loved.   He has given us a spiritual principle of giving and receiving love.  "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your life. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”  ( Luke 6:38). Give to others and to God and He  will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands—all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” Our Lord Jesus was talking about acts of love, not money in this verse.

This giving of love is like making a deposit in a bank.  Every time you give of your love you are not only helping others but you are making it possible for God to bless you in your time of need.  Loving God and loving others is not just about the benefit they receive, but the love you will receive from God and others.  As you love others, God will show His love towards you

 God's love is not predicated on works, but God has given us the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping.  But the  benefit of loving others as He has loved us is for us to receive His blessings proportionally and in His timing at our greatest point of need.  

Many times God shows His love toward us when we don't deserve it - when He offers us salvation and eternal life, it is a free gift.  Romans 5:8- "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  His Grace is also a gift.  But after we receive both, we are commanded to: "love one another as I (Jesus) have loved you.”  (John 15:12).    

Love is the most important word in any language.  It was also the most important commandment given to us from God and the Lord Jesus Christ. “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. "And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31).

An assignment for you this week is to find your primary love language by observing the things that make you feel loved and the the things you do for others to make them feel loved.  Then see which one of these categories it fits into: 

Words of affirmation (encouragement),  
Gifts - (Giving and receiving gifts),     
Acts of service

Quality Time,  
Physical Touch

And then we will learn how to communicate our love better during the next four weeks.

WHERE THERE IS NO VISION

VIDEO LINKS TO "WHERE THERE IS NO VISION"

WHERE THERE IS NO VISION - PART ONE

WHERE THERE IS NO VISION - PART TWO

WHERE THERE IS NO VISION - PART THREE

“WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

(PROVERBS 29:18)

Today, I want to bring to you a message from the Lord about your future and the future of our Church.  What you think and plan for today will determine where you will be a year from now.  This applies to every aspect of our lives including, retirement, health, relationships with others, and most important our relationship with the Lord.  This message could apply to an individual, a church, a family, or a business.  The message is simply: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

God has always given His people a vision.  “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1).  “His goodness is written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet” (2 Chronicles 32:32).  “And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision.” (Daniel 10:7).  You and I may not see a vision as dramatic as these, but God still shows His people what they can accomplish with His power and guidance. The Lord may not speak to you in an audible voice, and you may not see your vision, but God wants to motivate us through His Word and His Holy Spirit.  “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:28).

The Lord Jesus is interested in you as an individual and wants to give you a vision to reach your full potential.  “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).  The Lord is interested in your happiness and contentment. “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full.” (John 15:11).  His words to you are not to restrict your joy or put you under some man-made set of rules, but they are to give you joy and true freedom.  “Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).  The Lord Jesus has a great plan for your life if you will allow Him to fulfill it in you.  You can accomplish a lot with the Lord as your partner.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

The Lord Jesus is interested in you as a Church – a community of believers.

“I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18).  He can use you and I as His mouth, His feet, and His Hands to build “His” church.  I am not just talking about buildings and programs.  If we are going to bring more people to this place, you will need more of both, but you need more.  You need a vision.  God has given you a group of people who love Him and love people.  You need to take that to your community and invite them to become a part of God’s family.  Every organization will either grow or die.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).  This is a reality that every church has to face.

The vision we need to pray for involves these questions.  “What can I do better in my life and for the Lord?”.  “How can I make this vision happen?”

“Will I sacrifice my time, energy, and money to make it happen?”.  “Will I stick with it until my vision becomes reality?”.  I hope that you and I will begin to ask ourselves these questions and move forward with our lives.

There is a saying that says: “If you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you have always gotten”.

If you will take a step of faith, the Lord will give you the strength and provide the resources you need to see your vision fulfilled.  There is a time of waiting, praying, and planning.  But there is also a time of moving forward.

“He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

Get a vision for your personal life, your family, and your church.  Don’t let the negative comments of others keep you from accomplishing things.  There will always be those who say “you can’t do that”, but with the Lord’s help, you can say  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Doing nothing is not an option.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

NO FEAR THIS YEAR

NO FEAR THIS YEAR

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear”. (1 John 4:18).

Fear is the opposite of faith.  After forty years in the wilderness, Moses told Joshua and the people of Israel not to fear.  They were going into a new land and face new opportunities.   "Be strong and of good courage, and fear not, 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).  Keep positive about your future.  Remember we were saved by faith and we live by faith.  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)

I would encourage you to cast out your fear by using words of faith.  Instead of complaining and expecting the worst, speak affirmatively about God’s ability and God’s love for you.  “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”. (Ephesians 5:19). 

 Read and quote verses from the Bible to yourself.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

Someone has said: “If you always do what you have done, you will always get what you always got”.  Some people get caught up in a cycle of doing the same thing over and over again and they will continue to get the same results.  Some people find themselves in a cycle o  bitterness, and fear.   Forgiveness can break the cycle of blame and pain.  The most common Greek word for forgiveness means, literally, to release, or hurl away, or free yourself.  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear”. (1 John 4:18).

Another thing that will get rid of fear this year is to keep the strife out of your life.  We all have different personalities and temperaments and approach issues in different ways.   Get rid of pettiness, division, and discord.  Make a decision that your are going to make the necessary adjustments so you can live a more peaceful life. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).  Removing yourself from strife can improve your physical, mental, and spiritual health.

When you are always worried about what someone else is thinking about you, it is a type of fear. Don’t allow others to cause you to fear. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1).

When you compare yourself with others, you are limiting the Lord from using you to your best ability.  You may fear that you are not as good as someone else.  The Bible says this type of thinking is wrong.  “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

Feeling like you are the victim and blaming others for failures in your life will not allow you to put your past behind you. Change your response to failure by accepting responsibility.  To move forward today, you must learn to say good-bye to yesterday’s hurts, tragedies, and negative events.

Overcome fear by planning for a better year.  God has put dreams into all of our hearts.  We have to go beyond just believing things can be better.  We need to start making plans to improve our health, finances, relationships, and spiritual growth.  Your faith needs to move in a positive direction.  Keep your vision in front of you instead of your fear.  Talk to yourself and others about good health, getting out of debt, and better relationships.   Read your Bible more, pray more, read encouraging books, watch positive TV programs, listen to uplifting music, attend church more and you will begin to see the Lord doing amazing things in your life.  “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice” (Psalms 55:17).  Begin by making a list of your dreams, goals, and aspirations and areas you want to improve in.  Ask the Lord to give you wisdom on how to accomplish them.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).  God wants to give you the ability to solve your problems.  He wants you to have peace about your present and about your future.  “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

If you never go through struggles you cannot experience hope or patience.  

If you are not doing anything today for God or your Church, you need to get into a ministry and struggle with others.  It will bring you friends that will last forever.  Struggles and difficulties will show you how God has delivered others and how he uses others to help us when we need help. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10).

One of the greatest things about God is that He continues to work with men and women despite their own limitations and failings.  Too often they do not allow God to complete what He starts within them.  The Lord Jesus wants to finish what He has started in you.  “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”  (Philippians 1:6).

Don’t be afraid to start over.  Fear will bring procrastination and eventually stop you from overcoming failure. If you have the Lord Jesus in your heart, He will help you start over. “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).

Let us move forward this year without fear.

JOY TO YOUR WORLD

Video Links To This Sermon

JOY TO YOUR WORLD - PART ONE

JOY TO YOUR WORLD - PART TWO

JOY TO YOUR WORLD - PART THREE

JOY TO YOUR WORLD

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).

The Lord Jesus wants you to have a "Merry Christmas" this year.  Hopefully God will show you through this message that it is His desire for you to have joy and He will help you to make it happen.

Joy and happiness are often used to mean the same thing.  I think we can have joy all of the time even if we are not happy.  But I think that happiness is a choice.  I think that joy is that gift that God gives you to have peace in times of unpleasant circumstances when you may not feel happy.  For instance, when you lose a love one you are sad and unhappy, but you can have joy that you will see them in Heaven and that they are better off there than they would be here. “He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:6)  “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)

I would like to talk to you about happiness that will in turn add to your joy.  Joy is a decision you make, not just an emotion you feel.  When you get up in the morning, you can choose to be happy and enjoy that day, or you can choose to be unhappy and have a bad day.

Joy is not always displayed in the same way by everyone.  God has given each of us different personalities.  Some people have a bubbly personality that shows when they are happy and when they are not.  But other people are more reserve and even shy and they may not always demonstrate their happiness by laughing or smiling.  

But we should all learn how to smile more and laugh more.  “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22)

Here are some principles to apply in order to have the joy that God wants to give you, 

To have joy you need to learn how to live one day at a time.  By an act of your will, you need to choose to forget about yesterday and tomorrow and think about today.

Life is to short not to enjoy every single day. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24)  Learn to enjoy your family, your friends, your health, your work, your church, and everything God gives you. 

 Jesus said: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10).  An abundant life is a happy life. 

He also said: “Take therefore no thought for  tomorrow: for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34)

To have joy you need to learn not to let life’s little things get you upset.  When negative things happen to us, no matter how much we rant and rave, it’s not going to change anything.  No matter how much we murmur and complain, it’s not going to make anything better.  You can decide not to let little things get the best of you. 

“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)

To have joy don’t wait on some event or person to make you happy.  Big events will not keep you happy.  People cannot keep you happy.  Having  the right relationship and fellowship with the Lord can make you happy: “For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

To have joy, learn how to content where you are in your life today.  If you will make the decision to stay faithful and be content, at the right time God will change your circumstances.  The Bible says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6)  “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11).  

Notice that it is a learning process.  Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom on how to look at your life as someone who has been blessed and is being blessed everyday.  If you are always discontented, something is wrong.  If you get up each morning dreading your day, you need to ask the Lord to change your attitude.

To have joy, understand that God has your best interests in mind as you go through trials and difficulties.  “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)  There is a reason why you are where you are and God will direct your steps until he leads you through the valley.  Remember change is by steps, not giant leaps.

If you will apply some or all of these principles to your life during this season of the year, you will have a “Merry Christmas”, regardless of what you have or don’t have. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17)

The greatest gift you have is God’s love and that should make you happy.  

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:11)   “For I am the LORD, I change not”. (Malachi 3:6).

“Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7 )

GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO YOU

GOD’S GREATEST GIFT TO YOU

SERMON BY PASTOR MARK TAYLOR

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given."   Isaiah 9:6.

As Jesus Christ was a child in his human nature, he was born, begotten of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary. He was as truly-born, as a child, as any other man that ever lived upon the face of the earth. He is thus in his humanity a child born. But as Jesus Christ is God's Son, he is not born; but given, begotten of His Father from before all worlds, begotten—not made, being of the same substance with the Father. The doctrine of this eternal relationship of Christ is to be received as an undoubted truth of our holy faith. 

If unto me a child is born then I have been born again; and, moreover, I am now in consequence of that new birth, a child of God. If, again, a Son has been given to me, then I am a son; and again I am given to that Son who is given to me.

Now, if this Son is given to you, you are a son/daughter yourself. "For unto as many as received him to them gave he power to become the children of God." (John 1:12). "Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17). The Son of God is not mine to enjoy, to love, to delight in, unless I am a son of God too. Does the Holy Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are born of God? 

If Christ is not my Christ, He is of little worth to me. If I cannot say He loved me and gave Himself for me, of what value is His birth, death and resurrection to me? Bread in the store is well enough, but if I am hungry and cannot get it, I will starve though the stores are full. Water in the river is well enough but if I am in a desert and cannot reach the stream or if I can hear it in the distance and cannot find it, I will die of thirst.

There may be some to whom it is a matter of uncertainty as to whether Christ is theirs or not. Do not go through this Christmas season without knowing assuredly that Christ is yours, and that you are Christ's.

If the Son is given to me, why should not I be sure of it? If the child is born to me, why should I not know it for a certainty, that I may even now live in the enjoyment of my privilege—a privilege, the value of which I shall never know to the full, till I arrive in glory?  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” Isaiah 9:6.

Let us examine what it means to be become a son/daughter of God and to receive this great gift of God’s Son to us.

Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18: 3-4).

Many of us have heard the invitation to come to Christ and have given our hearts to the Savior.  We have read and heard the verse Jesus said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).    We know that before a child is born into the world he has eyes, but cannot see, he has ears but cannot hear.  Before he/she is born they cannot breathe. It is only after their birth that they now are capable of hearing and seeing.  When we are “born again” we receive our spiritual eyes and ears. “The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14).  

When we are “born again” God breathes into our soul a spiritual life.  It is that great change which God works in the soul when he brings it into life.  When we are “born again”, our spiritual life begins.  There are similarities between our natural birth and growth and our spiritual birth and growth. 

When we have received this “Son” which was “Born unto us”, and “given unto us”, we have become a child of God.  This is our “spiritual birth”.  God has made this a simple process.  It is something He does in us and not something we can do.

Today, you can receive this wonderful gift of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you have not already received Him as your personal Savior, this will be the best and most lasting Christmas present you will ever receive.  If you have received God’s Son, share this message of love with someone else you want to see in Heaven with you.

This gift is free to anyone who will ask God for forgiveness of their sins and ask the Lord Jesus to come into their hearts and save them.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

You say, “Surely, it cannot be that simple.” Yes, that simple! It is scriptural. It is God’s plan. My friend, believe on Jesus and receive Him as Savior today.

In Luke 18:13, the sinner prayed: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Just pray: “Oh God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen.”

THANKS - GIVING

THANKS – GIVING

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

On December 4, 1619, 38 English settlers arrived upstream from Jamestown, where the first permanent settlement of the Colony of Virginia had been established on May 14, 1607.  The group's charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a "day of thanksgiving" to God. On that first day, Captain John Woodleaf held the service of thanksgiving. As quoted from the section of the Charter of Berkeley Hundred specifying the thanksgiving service: "We ordaine that the day of our ships arrival in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.". (original spelling).  In 1941, the U.S. Congress  passed a bill requiring that Thanksgiving be observed annually on the fourth Thursday of November.

In the Bible, Thanksgiving has always been apart of God’s plan for those who love Him.  There are 138 passages of Scripture that deal with the subject of thanksgiving!  “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High” (Psalms 92:1).

There are two parts to that compound word – Thanks, and Giving.  Today, I want us to look at them as two separate actions that go together.

First of all “Thanks” is an action word, not just a feeling or emotion.  God wants to hear our voices and receive our words of thanks.  It reminds us of the nearness of God and all He has done in the past.  “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” (Psalms 75:1).  When we give “thanks” it reminds us of His mercy and love for us.  “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalms 107:1).  Jesus demonstrated how important “thanks” is by constantly giving His Father thanks.  “Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.” (John 11:41).  

It is God’s will that you be thankful.  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The opposite of “Thanks” is not being thankful.  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole” (Luke 17:17-19).

“Giving” is the second part of “Thanksgiving”.  As our Lord “gave thanks”, He also gave to others.  “And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.” (Matthew 15:36).  “Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.” (Mark 14:23).

The opposite of giving is simply not giving.  There is a Biblical principle and truth you can count on.  “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”                     (2 Corinthians 9:6).  The Lord wants to give you a lot, but it really is determined by your generosity to others.  "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38) 

How are you going to celebrate your “Thanksgiving”?  Is it going to be just about food and time off work?  Or will you make it a day of “giving thanks” to God about how much you really love Him and appreciate all He has done for you?  Is it going to be “all about you”?  Or is it going to be about making this “Holy Day” special for someone else?

Take some time in the next few days to find things to be thankful for, and write notes of thanks to others or call them up and give them some words of thanks.  This is not a season to enter into with complaining and talking about what you don’t have.  It is a season of being “Thankful”.  Remember the song

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.

"IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS"

“In Everything Give Thanks”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Giving thanks is an act of the will.  It is something you do on purpose and willingly out of love.  It is an attitude of gratitude. 

During Your Difficult Times Give Thanks.

This verse is saying give thanks “in” your difficult times, not “for” your difficult times.  It is also important to know that God does not cause your difficult times.  Jesus said: “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy.  I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

It is also important to remember that just because we are children of God, it does not exempt us from difficult times.  Jesus reminds of this when he said: “I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me.  In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

During Your Good Times Give Thanks.

When things are going good for you – give thanks.  When God hears and answers your prayers – give thanks.  When you think of how blessed you are – give thanks.  When your children learn to be thankful to you and others you are proud of them, the Lord Jesus appreciates your praise and thanksgiving. God is proud of you when you are thankful.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High” (Psalms 92:1).

“By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

“Praise you the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever” (Psalms 106:1).

For Your Future Times Give Thanks.

When you pray, expect God to answer you and thank Him for the answer ahead of time.  This type of thankfulness is an example of faith which pleases God.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” 

(Hebrews 4:14-16).

Heaven and eternal life is your reward and you can be thankful for it now.

“Yet do not rejoice in this, that the evil spirits are subject to you, rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Give thanks today for all the blessings you have.  Even in your difficult times, you can give thanks for the people who love you, for the church that ministers to you, and for the God that loves you.

During these Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, let us truly be thankful.  Let us demonstrate with our lips and our lives how much we love God.

There are 138 passages of Scripture that deal with subject of thanksgiving!

A MESSAGE FROM THE MOUNTAINS

A MESSAGE FROM THE MOUNTAINS

by Pastor Mark Taylor

Below is a short video of the beauty that God has created in the mountains in the State of North Carolina in the USA.

I hope you can see that even though the world is full of problems, God has places where we can go to see His wonderful works.

A MESSAGE FROM THE MOUNTAINS