LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME - PART ONE

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME - PART TWO

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME - PART THREE

“LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

Our Lord Jesus has told us not to get so preoccupied with tomorrow that they forgot about what happened today. Don’t get so worried about how you are going to eat tomorrow that you can’t celebrate the meal you just had.  Remember the Lord’s Prayer. “Give us this day our daily bread.” Jesus didn’t say anything about accumulating bread for tomorrow. He didn’t say anything about having a bread bank from which to draw. No, he said, “Give us today what we need today.” Focus on what we need now, not on what we’re going to need in the future.

Bread is a symbol for everything necessary for life and well-being-to include food, good health, shelter, clothing, a means of income, peace, safety, friends and family. This does not mean we do not need to save for our retirement or buy enough groceries to last us for a few days.  It does not mean that we cannot have better things in life.  In fact, God wants to bless those that serve and love Him with material blessings.  It simply means “do not worry about tomorrow.”  It means to take one day at a time. It means not to worry.  Do what you can and leave the rest up to God.  Learn to be content and focus on the blessings you have today, until God gives you more tomorrow.  "If we have food and clothing, let us be content with that"  (I Timothy 6:8).

Consider the birds of the air. They build their nests and provide for their young but how often does a strong wind come along that destroys their nest and disrupts the feeding of their young? Even so, God says that he cares for them and supplies their need.

Have you ever seen a bird in the wild that starved to death? God provides for them. What makes us think that he cares any less for us? (Matthew 6:26)

Consider the lilies of the field. They don’t fertilize the ground that they grow in and they don’t provide their own rain. God provides every necessity for their existence and they want for nothing.

This message is to those who love God, work hard, and are still struggling in their lives.  It is not written to encourage people to depend on God and others for their daily needs, unless they are disabled or unable, or have no resources.  “If a man will not work, he will not eat” (II Thessalonians 3:10) is directly aimed at those who think that they don’t have to do anything because God will care for their every physical need whether they work for it or not.  Learn to trust the providence of God. Birds trust God to supply their needs however God does not come along and drop the worms in their mouths. Trusting God doesn’t mean we are lazy and indifferent, but it does mean we come to the point that we can know that God will provide what I really need.

We have many promises from our Heavenly Father and testimonies of His goodness and faithfulness.

“The steps of a good person are ordered by the Lord, And they delight in their way (they are happy as they walk). Though they fall, they shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds them with His hand.

I have been young, and now am old;  Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.  He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.” (Psalm 37: 23-26)

Don’t borrow tomorrow’s worries today. Worry is experiencing a crisis before it happens. Don’t do that. We spend great portions of our time fretting over future things that we can do nothing about.  Most of the things we worry about will never happen, other things we worry about can’t be changed.  

It is ok to ask God for more blessings, good health, better income, but take one day at a time.  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

God’s Word gives us some great free advice:  John 14:1 - “Do not let your heart be troubled.”    Philippians 4:6 - “Do not be anxious in anything.”  God said in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

A great percentage of our illnesses is in some way related to worry and anxiety and stress. The number one killer in America is heart disease. 38% of all deaths are heart related and many of those are related to hypertension, high blood pressure and anxiety.

Let’s look at the cup half full instead of half empty.  Think about the weather reports – what do they say, Do you know what today’s forecast calls for?  It calls for a 10% chance of rain. – How come we never say 90% chance of sunshine. 

Let us all strive to take one day at a time, knowing that God will bless us and will provide for us. Let us remember that God is greater than our needs…today, tomorrow, and forever.  This life on Earth is only a small part of the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Hm” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Heaven that will make our difficult times on Earth seem small.  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME - PART ONE

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME - PART TWO

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME - PART THREE

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME - PART FOUR

“THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Hm”

(1 Corinthians 2:9).

There are many things we do not know about what Heaven will be like, because it is beyond our ability to comprehend. But one thing we can be sure of is that it will fulfill our greatest longings, it will dazzle us with its beauty, it will obliterate our greatest problems with its power and splendor, it will be greater than anything we could imagine or dream, it will be a place where love and joy will reign unspoiled. God is busy preparing all of this for us. 

Heaven will be real. Heaven will not be some existence where we float about as spirits without bodies. Why would God take the trouble to create a new earth if there was not going to be anyone to live on it? Why would we be given new bodies if we were not going to live in a material world?  Jesus rose from the dead in His glorified body. He could pass thru walls, but yet he could touch people, sit down and eat.

If we make preparations for our grandchildren’s visit or guests coming to our home for a meal, how much more does a God of love prepare for the time His children will come to His eternal home. The Bible says, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11). Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).  If this fallen world in all of its brokenness can be so wonderful, what must heaven be like? 

Heaven is God’s home where He lives. The greatest reward of heaven will be God Himself. Nothing we see or experience will be greater than the fact that we are with God and see Him face to face. We sing “O how I love Jesus”, “Amazing Grace”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.  When we get to Heaven, we will see that Friend and enjoy His company forever.  “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” 

(1 Corinthians 13:12). 

How wonderful it will be to be in the presence of God where we will perfectly know Him and know that we are perfectly known and loved.  John writes in the book of Revelation: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:3). We will have no greater reward or relationship than being with our wonderful God and seeing Him face to face. 

Christians can be certain of their future in Heaven because Jesus prays for us. “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.  And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.  Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” (John 17: 9-11).

Christians can be certain of their future in heaven because God is for us and not against us.   “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8: 31-32).  How can we lose if God is on our side? How can we be kept from Heaven if God is for us? Obviously we can’t.  We can be certain that He will bring His work to a fulfillment. God is not investing in a losing cause!  He proved His love for us on Calvary so we can be certain that nothing, absolutely nothing will keep him from completing His loving plans. Even when you struggle and fail, God still loves you and is still for you.

Christians can be certain of their future in Heaven because there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love.  “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39). 

There is nothing in this world worth missing Heaven for.  There are temptations from Satan to be selfish, to mistreat others, and to be actively involved in worldly pleasures that we know go against God’s principles. But I would ask everyone to consider if this wonderful place God has prepared for them that love Him, is worth missing.  Our time on Earth is brief and we can do many valuable and good things for the Lord Jesus while we are here.  He wants to bless us while we are here and then for Eternity.  At the end of your life you cannot take your wealth, your popularity, or your accomplishments with you.  Heaven is all about new things for those who love God and will serve Him in this life time. “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelations 21:5).

There are many things we do not know about Heaven because it is so much better than  Earth, that there are no human words to explain how great it is.  We will be reunited with our loved ones who loved God and accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior.  We will be rewarded for all of our service and sacrifices to meet the needs of others.  Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).

I would encourage all of those who have not decided to accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior to make that decision and give their lives to Him so that you might receive the gift of eternal life and go to Heaven.  “Jesus said to him:  “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6).  Heaven is a real place that has been prepared for those that Love God. I will be there and hope to see you in my new home in Heaven.

CARING FOR OTHERS

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

CARING FOR OTHERS - PART ONE

CARING FOR OTHERS- PART TWO

CARING FOR OTHERS - PART THREE

Caring For Others

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no one that would help me: refuge failed me; no one cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142: 4)

It's always a good idea to look back over life and think about the people who have made a difference in our lives: People who helped us in a time of need.  People who blessed us: Opened new doors for us; Helped us grow; Imparted new wisdom; Made us more than we had been before.

There is someone today that needs for you to be that person to them.  God has sent them in your pathway to care for. This could include meeting physical or emotional needs.  It certainly includes sharing your faith and bringing people to Christ.  

There are some barriers that may be keeping you from being that person that God wants to use to care for someone today.

There is “The Barrier of Indifference”.  When some people see others who have a need, they say to themselves: “That is their problem and it is none of my business”.  We may not be able to “solve” their problems, but we can show them we care with kind words, a word of prayer with them, or a small act of kindness.  When someone shares a problem with us the least we can do is be a good listener and not another person who rejects them.  Selfishness or apathy is not the proper response to those who love the Lord.  He is a loving and giving God who hears you and cares for you.

God cares for us and listens to us. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.” 

(Psalm 34:15).  

“I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.”. (Psalm 116:1).

There is “The Barrier of Judgement.”  There may be times when we see someone hurting because of wrong decisions they have made in their lives.  We may be tempted to tell them “I told you so!” or think in our minds that they deserve the consequences of their poor choices.  If you have this type of temperament, you will miss the opportunity and blessing of “caring for others”.  It is true that most people who are hurting and in need have made the wrong choices in life, and are indeed “reaping what they sowed”.  But, if you are a child of God and have the Holy Spirit in you, you will have an attitude of compassion instead of judgement.

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37).

There is “The Barrier of Non-Involvement”.  or “Let Someone Else Do It”.  When God puts the opportunity in front of you to care for the needs of someone else, He aligned you with that person so you can help them. If you choose to walk by the person who needs your care, they may not receive help, because God has chosen you to help them.

Helping and caring for others is not a one way street.  You cannot care for someone else without God repaying you many times.“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, by no means, will you lose your reward.” (Mark 9:41)

 “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will men put into your lap. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38).

Then there is “The Barrier of Timidity” - I’m too afraid to care or share.  Here are some of the fears that some people have when they are asked to care for someone else:

 "I am afraid I might do more harm than good."

 "I don't know what to say."

 "I may invade someone’s privacy."

 "I am afraid I might fail."

 "I am afraid I might be rejected."

When you feel fear remind yourself of God’s promises:

 "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalms 118:6)

 "Do not fear, for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10).

Someone needs you today.  Someone needs to hear about the love of God and the Gospel Message of Jesus.  This is caring for their soul. 

There are some Christians today who need someone to care for their souls.  They need someone to remind them of how much God loves them and all the great things He has prepared for them.

“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)

Will you Care for Someone’s Soul Today?

MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH

Mountain Moving Faith

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“If you shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; it shall be done.  And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." (Matthew 21:21-22)

Our prayers are more than wishes, hopes or feeble aspirations - but only if we pray with believing, faith filled hearts. That is the kind of prayer that moves mountains.

Jesus, of course, was not in the excavation business. He had little interest in relocating piles of rocks in the ocean’s depths. He was using the term mountain figuratively. Whatever mountain stands in you path, whatever obstacle blocks your way, whatever difficulty immobilizes you, the prayer of faith can remove it. This was what He was telling His disciples and is telling us today.

Mountain moving faith comes from looking at God, not looking at the mountain.  Whatever roadblock you are facing Jesus says today speak to that mountain and tell it to be gone in the name of Christ, and believe. 

Mountain moving faith only comes as we “walk” with Him.

God always answers prayer: Yet . . .

If the request is wrong, God says, “No”.

If the timing is wrong, God says, “Slow”.

If you are wrong, God says, “Grow”.

But if the request is right, the timing is right and you are right, God says, “Go!”.

For most of us the mountain is so huge, and our faith is so weak that all we can say in reply is what a father of a sick child said to Jesus.  Jesus told Him "… If thou can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.”  The father responded to Jesus

 “The father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help mine unbelief." (Mark 9:23-24).

The reason most people don’t pray is that they don’t expect God to answer their prayers in the first place. They kneel down, and talk to themselves for a while, not expecting God to speak back because they have never heard Him do it before. They get tired of hearing their own voice, wondering If God is even listening, then get up and go back to doing the same things again. The only thing they really accomplished was to ease their conscience for a while, but they haven’t touched God through faith.

You are God’s child and He wants to give you the answer to your prayer, so pray and believe that the answer is already yours right now!  God wants you to be well. God wants you to be free. God wants you to be delivered. God wants to give you the best that Heaven has to offer. He is just waiting on you to ask, in faith, without wavering.

In the Old Testament a man named Jabez prayed a prayer that changed his life and those around him.  Jabez’s prayer was simple…  “’Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may cause me pain.”  And God granted him what he requested.” (I Chronicles 4:10).

After you pray, believe.  Forget about the past. Don’t think about all the bad things that has happened to you.   Think about God’s future for you.

“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19).  I believe that God can fulfill this verse in you and I. He wants to make a roadway in our wilderness and rivers in our desert. I believe God for this, will you?

When you speak the mountain may not move immediately, but it does not mean things are not happening.  When Jesus spoke to the fig tree it did not died immediately, but the work was beginning at the roots and all life was removed from that tree. and when they returned the next day, the fig tree had dried up and was dead.  When you speak to your problems, believe that God is already starting to work on your mountain and it will soon be cast into the sea.

Declare that you are blessed. Tell yourself that every negative word that have been said to you, and about you, will not have any effect on you.   Expect good things and speak words of victory and not of defeat and you will see your mountains removed

According to the Bible, believers can be confident that their prayers will be answered. And many times Jesus will let us know that it was faith and belief that is the key to answered prayer. 

“Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23)   “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9)  "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14).

God can do supernaturally for you what others cannot do.  Begin today to speak to your problems instead of speaking about your problems. Ask God for “Mountain Moving Faith” today, and you will see your problems taken away from you.

HANDFUL OF PURPOSE

HANDFUL OF PURPOSE

BY PASTOR MARK TAYLOR

In the book of Ruth God vividly portrays this principle of mercy, Godly living, and Godly giving.  In the Old Testament, under the Mosaic law, gleaning was one of the rights of the people. The farmer was forbidden of God to reap the corners of his fields.  It was to be left for the widows, the fatherless, and the poor in the land. The same thing was true of their orchards and vineyards.

Ruth is a book filled with many of what some might call "accidents" that demonstrate how God works out His purpose, on purpose, with no accidents involved.  It's a picture of God's over-abundant love for His people. We don't deserve to be His children, much less to be receive an abundant outpouring of His blessing and grace.  He is good to us because He is good, and because He loves us.

In chapter one, we see Ruth deciding to follow Naomi and to adopt Naomi's people as her people and Naomi's God as her God. "Where You Shall Go, I Shall Go, Your God shall be my God" In chapter two, we see Ruth working and serving. It's a picture of our role as believers in Christ, and God's providence to his believers though a Savior.  In chapter three, we see Boaz marrying Ruth and saving her from her suffering, and it's a beautiful picture of how Christ rescues His people from sin. Boaz, from Bethlehem, is often referred to as "the kinsman redeemer".  In chapter four, we see Ruth enjoying a bountiful reward and inheritance that she didn't earn. It was given to her by grace.

Boaz is a type of Christ in the Old Testament.  He is called “a mighty man of wealth.”  Naomi is a type of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding Ruth to her “kinsman redeemer”.  Ruth is a representation of those who do not have a relationship with God but are seeking to live right. The barley that is being dropped is the Word of God.

You and I have a Lord and Savior who can more than provide for our needs. In this second chapter of Ruth, we see this law of gleaning illustrated. The things recorded here are written for our learning and for our admonition. Indeed, all that is written in the Book of Ruth is intended by God the Holy Spirit to show us the goodness, grace, and glory of Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer.  When Boaz saw Ruth gathering grain behind the reapers in his field, he commanded them to intentionally leave some extra handfuls of grain for her. To her, she saw this as a blessing from the Lord, and it most certainly was.

Ruth received the favor of God because she was in the right field. Other people might have cast her away because of her background. However, Boaz welcomed her into his field. God's love and favor placed her in the right place and the right time. He provided the opportunity, but she still had to do the work. She still had to ask the questions. She had to take advantage of the blessing that was placed before her.

“When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, "Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. ¹⁶ And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don't give her a hard time”.  (Ruth 2:15).

In order for God to drop handful of purpose on you, it is important that you are in the right family (being a child of God), being in the right field (God’s House), and that you are a person of right living (Ruth was a woman of virtue). In chapter 2 we are introduced to Boaz, Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. Everything in Ruth’s life hinged upon that man who had the right and the might to redeem her. And everything in our lives hinges upon Christ, our great Boaz, our Kinsman-Redeemer, who has the right and the might to redeem our pour souls.

He drops us handfuls of His grace because there is a purpose to it. The only certainty we have about the favor of God is where it originates. The favor of God comes at different times, to different people, in different amounts but it is all the favor of God. The bible tells us that God loves us, and favors us, but does not really tell us why? We don't deserve it. We haven't earned it. We have not appreciated it, and honored it. But he loves us anyway, and favors us anyway. It's a mystery of the faith. A wonderful mystery, but a mystery nonetheless. We are his prized creation, his jewel, and that will never change.

Ruth was a poor woman on here hands and knees picking up the scraps and leftovers. It would have been easy for her to think that God was giving her the short end of the stick. But instead she saw blessing, and was given even more blessing. Ruth became the Great Grandmother of King David and ancestor of Jesus Christ. The favor of God and the handfuls of purpose you walk in today will effect and bring blessings to your lineage after you. God has it ALREADY planned out.  Ruth did not deserve the handfuls. She received because it was in God's will that she receive. It wasn't a merit award. It was simply how God wanted to do it at this time.

God has some “Handful of Purpose” for us.   “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you." (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

Find the right field where God is working.  Certainly the church is one of those places.  Small group Bible studies and fellowships are others.  The important thing is be where God’s Word is being given as “handful of purpose” for your benefit.  Be sure that Christ is in charge of the field where you are working, for it is He that drops the “handful of purpose” for you.  Be a Godly person in your life style and actions so Christ will show His favor on you.

  "DELIGHT YOURSELF in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. COMMIT YOUR WAY to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this." (Psalms 37:4-5)

ANGELS UNAWARE

ANGELS UNAWARE

“Be not forgetful to be good to strangers; for thereby some have been unaware they have entertained angels.”  Hebrews 13:2 “

God wants us to know that His angels are a matter of fact.  In Luke 1 the Bible tells us that Gabriel appeared to tell Jesus' mother Mary about the coming Savior.  In Matthew 1 and 2 God’s Word tells us that Angels spoke to Joseph in his dreams.  The angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to tell him about the upcoming birth of his son, John the Baptist.

It is comforting to know that God has specific angels assigned to help us. We know this is true because of something Jesus said when the Lord was talking about little children:   "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 8:10-11)

As strong and as powerful as the angels are, they cannot begin to compare to Jesus. Our crucified and risen Savior is Lord of all! He is far, far above all of the angels.  Jesus is greater than the angels. Jesus is Lord of all! And He is certainly Lord over all the angels.  “After He (Jesus) finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took His honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you” or “I’m his Father, he’s my Son”? When He presents His honored Son to the world, He says, “All angels must worship Him.” (Hebrews 1: 3-6 The Message).

We need to realize that there are good angels and bad angels.  it is clear from (Revelation 12:7) and many other passages, the leader of these fallen angels (or demons as they are also called) is Satan (Matt. 12:25-27).  There was a rebellion by Satan in Heaven (a fallen angel), who, being lifted up by his own beauty, sought to exalt himself above God and rebelled (Isaiah 14:12-14). In his rebellion, he took with him one-third of the angels (Rev. 12:4). Satan, the leader of unholy angels, is a liar, a murderer, and a thief (John 10:10).

But I don’t want to spend time writing about the bad Angels, but the Good Angels.  The book of Hebrews calls angels "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14). Angels minister to us in many ways, and I'd like for us to look at some of their ministries.

It is comforting to know that God may send us angels to protect, encourage, and guide us. Praise the Lord for His angels and for all the work they do for Him.

Angels Protect

Angels care for and protect believers from physical harm and give believers strength to overcome difficulties.  This world is a dangerous place, and angels can provide supernatural protection. (Daniel 6) tells the story of how an angel shut the mouths of the lions when Daniel was thrown into their den.  Psalm 91 gives us encouragement of God’s protection over us.  “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.  They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” (Psalm 91:11-12).  This is not saying we will never break a leg or arm, but in dangerous situations we can pray for God’s protection and remind God of this promise.

                Angels Encourage

Angels strengthened Jesus after His temptation (Matt 4:11). They encouraged the apostles to keep preaching after releasing them from prison (Acts 5:19-20), and told Paul that everyone on his ship would survive the impending shipwreck (Acts 27:23-25). Angels encourage.  Not only can God send us brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us, He can also send us His messengers.

Angels Provide Guidance 

Sometimes, angels give guidance so God's people will know what He wants us to do. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and instructed him to take Mary as his wife and to name her baby Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21).  And it was an angel who told Philip where to go in his travels so that he could meet the Ethiopian eunuch and lead him to Christ (Acts 8:26).   Since we now have the completed canon of Scripture, God may not send His angels to deliver messages as often as He did in the Bible times, however, it is possible.

The ministry of holy angels will never contradict the Bible.  The actions of holy angels will always be consistent with the character of Christ.  A genuine encounter with a holy angel will glorify God, not the angel. Holy angels never draw attention to themselves. They typically do their work and disappear.

We need to be extremely carefully not to buy into the world's perspective on angels. Our secular society presents many false views and ideas about God's messengers.  We should not pray to angels or try to contact them.  If we need help or assistance, we should pray to God, for He is the one we should talk to, not angels.  We have the Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us.  “For the Holy Ghost shall teach you.” (Luke 12:12) and Jesus said:  “But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”  (John 14:26).

Angels are just another resource from Heaven that God can use to show His love for us.  It is a wonderful thing to be a child of God and be under His protection, His encouragement, and His guidance.

PREVENTIVE PRAYER

“Preventive Prayer”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray.  My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;  In fear (respect) of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.  For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5: 1-12).

Coming into the presence of God can calm the spirit and soul of all of us. The best time to pray is before you need to pray.  I would call it “preventive prayer”.  It is easier for you to ask the Lord Jesus to help you make the right decisions each day, than to ask Him to help you fix the problems you create by making wrong decisions.

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You”.   A good time to start asking God for guidance is early in the morning.  After our day gets started we are going to have all kind of distractions and commitments.  We should ask God to help us in the many decisions we have to make throughout the day.  John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrims’s Progress, said: “You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” Prayer enhances us and empowers us for life each day.

“You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.”  If God hates evil then what should we do or how should we feel about it?  As a child of God, we should avoid as much evil as we possibly can and people who enjoy it.  Our Lord Jesus has told us to pray to our Heavenly Father: “Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil.”  If we do not want to get into difficulties we should pray this “preventive prayer”.

God wants to hear your prayers and give you many blessings. In order to do this, we have to begin and end our day with asking for forgiveness of our sins and strength to overcome our sinful desires throughout the day.  Psalm 66:18-19 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.”

“But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;  In fear (respect) of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.”  One of the best places to practice your “preventive prayer” is in God’s House.  Today that is the “Church”.  You will find God’s mercy through hearing His Word read, sung, and preached. 

As you receive God’s mercy you should be merciful to others.  “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7.   If we don’t treat others right how can we expect God to treat us right and answer our prayers?

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;  With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” 

It is God’s desire to bless you with answered prayers.  There are many things Our Heavenly Father desires to give us and He encourages us to ask. “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”  (Luke 11:9)  The context of this verse is not about getting everything you ask for, but that there is no request to hard for God to answer.  We call these miracles. Jesus also said to pray:  “Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” (Luke 11:2).  Remember that these verses are conditional in the sense that God is not going to answer “yes” to things that He knows will harm you or others.  But God’s Word also says: “You have not, because you ask not.” (James 4:2).  Again, He is talking to those who love Him and serve Him.

God is in the protection business.  There is no better insurance plan than to pray for God’s protection over you and your family.  This is “preventive prayer”.  Our Lord Jesus reminds us that:  “Satan is come to steal, kill and destroy you, but I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 20:31).  

If God is our refuge and strength, let us pray, asking for mercy and grace constantly. WHY? Because we need Him.  If we take refuge in God during difficult times, the outcome will be good and we will be glad.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

We use “preventive maintenance” on machinery and vehicles to keep them from breaking down.  I would encourage you to start using “Preventive Prayer” as a daily part of your life.  God will enjoy the fellowship and time with you.  You will be blessed and protected.  

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

“WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

July 28, 2013

“I have called you friends.” (John 15:15)

The whole story of the Bible is about God longing to have a personal friendship with human beings.

Facebook is a place where people can share their lives. They can talk with others, post pictures and articles they’d like people to see. And most of this sharing is done between “friends”.  Most of these “friends” you will never meet.  They might not even like you.  For the most part they are just passing through.  If you were sick in the hospital, they wouldn’t come visit you.  If you needed some money to pay a bill, they wouldn’t be there for you.  On Facebook they are called “friends”, but they are not people who love you or care about you.

Today, I want to tell you about a real friend named “Jesus”.  He is not just a “Facebook Friend”.   “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24).  That Friend is Jesus.  I want to tell you about a friend who loves you all the time.  “A friend loves at all times...” (Proverbs 17:17).  That Friend is Jesus.

The Bible is filled with stories of friendship; Moses and Jethro; David and Jonathan; Elijah and Elisha;Paul and Timothy; and Jesus and His twelve disciples. 

Jesus came to this earth with one purpose in mind, laying down His life for us so that we could be His Friend. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).  Our Friend, Jesus was also talking about us having a relationship with God because of His payment for our sins.  

His Friendship involves forgiving our faults and shortcomings.  The love of Jesus is stronger than any failure you may have committed. Jesus loves us in spite of the things that we have done. Jesus not only promises to forgive our sins but He also forgets them. He simply wipes the slate of our lives clean and then refuses to remember what we have done. 

There is nothing that you can do to make Jesus love you any less. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you more than He does right now.   But there is a way to know if you are His friend.  How can you know if you are really His friend?  “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14).

What is it that Jesus wants us to do?  This is my command: “Love each other” (John 15:12). The condition for friendship with Jesus is the simple fact that we follow His example. We are meant to love others as Jesus loves them and as He loves us. The only way to do this is to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

The deepest desire in the heart of Jesus is to call you His friend but the choice is up to you.

He initiates the opportunity for friendship.  Jesus gives us the chance to put our faith in Him. He left heaven, became human, died for your sins, and then conquered death for you – all in an attempt to show you how interested He is in being your friend. He took the initiative!

Now the way you become a “friend” on Facebook is - one person sends out an INVITATION to someone else to be their friend. The other person can then either “CONFIRM” them as a friend or IGNORE you. If you haven’t become a Christian yet… then the question is this   Will you accept his offer, or will you ignore it today.

What Jesus is telling us here is “I invited you to be my friend… you didn’t invite me.”  (John 15:16)  “You did not choose me, but I chose you...”

He invited US to be HIS friend, that He reached out to us because we weren’t worthy to reach out to Him - then we should be humbled that He thought WE were worth His time.

Not only is Jesus my friend, but my friendship with Jesus improves my friendship with others. Jesus said “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)  It’s a repeated command, over and over again throughout the Scriptures.  Why repeat such a command?  Because it doesn’t come naturally to us. We don’t really know how to love until we’ve learned the love of Jesus in our lives.

"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! 

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, 

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. 

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? 

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? 

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.” 

Jesus loves you today.  It’s good to be loved. God created you to be loved. There’s nothing to compare with loving and being loved. And God is the source of love.  You have an invitation from Heaven to become a “Friend of God”.

CHANGE

“CHANGE”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

There are only two that do not change.  This is comforting to know that both of these have a plan for the redemption of man and they will never change their minds about Their love for us.  God our Father and Jesus Christ our Savior.  "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

But God does want to change us because we need it.  “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”  (Isaiah 43:19).  When God does a new thing, that means that there are changes about to happen.  He's an agent of change.

Change is hard, yes. It brings loss, it brings sorrow, yes. It also brings opportunities for growth, for learning, for happiness. Change is neither good nor bad; it's what we make of it. Why not attempt to make meaning of it, to find a greater purpose through it? Why not meet it with the bravery that is inside us?  Remember you cannot step into the same river twice.  The water has changed.  Everything in lives changes.

People seem to be naturally resistant to change. There's a saying: If nothing needs changing, you don't need leaders  Leader’s look to see what God wants to change, and it's their responsibility to change it. Change is difficult, but it's what leaders do.  But remember: People find change difficult.  It's threatening, it's uncomfortable, and it provokes an internal reaction.  Change is all about yielding to the Holy Spirit.  Not yielding to the Holy Spirit is the most significant factor in preventing change.  It all comes down to attitude.

“No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:16-17)

In the days of Jesus they put wine and milk into skins. The problem with wineskins is that as they get older they become harder and more brittle. They aren't as flexible as they used to be. If you put new wine into an old skin, the new wine was still fermenting, which means it was releasing gases. The gases would cause the old skin to burst. If God is going to do a new thing in your life, He needs flexible skins that He can pour His new wine into.  What about you? Are you willing to let God do what He wants?

There are two kinds of change.  The first type is when things change around us and we just “learn to live with them”.  We feel that we have lost control but we try to “hang in there”.  This may happen when we lose a job, a loved one, or have major health problems.  We feel the loss and begin the grieving process.  Some people do not move into the second type of change.  If we do not move to the next level of change, our circumstances will control our happiness and limit our ability to be all that God wants us to be.

The second type of change occurs when we change with the circumstances.  This change is when our lives change. We look for a new job or we go back to school and learn a new skill.  It also happens when someone experiences a spiritual change and turns to God. The difference is we undergo a real change inside our hearts and minds.  In making any change you have to do some “soul work”.  God has planted within us a need to make meaning and purpose of our lives.  With the help of your relationship with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit, you can deal with change in a positive and productive way.

One of the keys in changing things is to be open to the Lord’s leading  in new and different ways.  When problems are created and the things we are doing are not working, then we have to “Do Something Different”.  “If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten”.  So if you want to see positive change, you need to look at change from God’s point of view.

In the process of change you cannot worry about what others think!!

You and I have to realize and remind ourselves that change is going to happen.  We are also going to experience loss with any change whether it is good or hurtful.  So we need to understand that something good can come out of change, even when it is hurtful:

Romans 8:28  does not mean that all things “are good”, but it does mean that if you will allow the Lord time, He will “work all things together” to help you with your change.  It will be for your good.  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” 

Also in change, it is important that we realize that change occurs in small steps.  It will take time, and it will take a good support system like your church to help you.  The Bible tells us that it is important that we have fellowship with each other: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son, cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7).

Will you allow the Lord to help you change into a better person, a healthier person, a person who will  learn how to pray, study God’s Word, and keep His commandment to “Love One Another.”   “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34).