ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM YOURSELF

VIDEO LINKS FOR THIS SERMON

ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM YOURSELF - PART ONE

ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM YOURSELF - PART TWO

ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM YOURSELF - PART THREE

ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM YOURSELF                                                                                            by Pastor Mark Taylor 

“But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 

(1 Samuel 30:6)

Discouragement is a feeling that comes upon many people at different times in their lives. discouragement is not a sin. It is not even a sign that you are in a place of sin. How we handle discouragement can affect us spiritually and physically.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalms 42:11).  

John Wesley in his famous sermon called "Satan’s Devices" states that Satan has three main methods of discouraging the believer. He tries to Take away our joy;  Attack our peace; Targets us especially in times of sickness and pain.

From studying the book of Psalms, we can discover a method David used to overcome discouragement.  These principles can help us to encourage ourselves in our relationship with the Lord.

Understand that affliction or difficulty will come upon all people.  Instead of asking God “Why?”, ask Him how can I use this problem to become a better person.  The question should be “What is the meaning of this suffering?”

"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions." 

(2 Timothy 4:5).  

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

First of all, be honest with the Lord.  When you feel discouraged, share your true feelings with God.  “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalms 145:18).  Talk to him about your struggles which will become your first step to healing your discouragement .  

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

Secondly, change your focus from the negative to the positive.  One of the best ways to start moving into the positive is to start thanking God for what He has already done for you.  We sing the song: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.  Count your many blessings and you will see what the Lord has done”.   Use encouraging words to yourself and read and quote verses such as: “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalms 107:).  You must not allow messages such as “I can’t do anything right” and “I’m a worthless nobody” to  torment you.  Open His Word, and let Him teach you the truth about your life.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).  “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalms 139:14).

Thirdly, focus on encouraging spiritual truths that speak to your situation.  As children of God and believers in Christ, we have incredible spiritual blessings that cannot be taken away or destroyed.  When life gets you down, remember to thank God for the benefits you enjoy because of your relationship with Christ.  The Holy Spirit can guide you to encouraging promises that take on special meaning for your situation.  “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalms 103:1-5).

Finally, put your hope in God – not in a particular outcome, another person, or even your own abilities.  Although our families and friends can be wonderful resources in adversity, we must be careful not to place all our hope in them.  People will disappoint us at times.  However, our heavenly Father is always available to counsel us, provide strength, and work on our behalf.  “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” (Psalms 34:18-19).  Our Lord Jesus told us that even as Christians we would face discouragement and trouble, but not to give up. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

In addition to these scriptural principles, I would like to give you some additional strategies that I use to encourage myself.  

I find someone who has a need and I concentrate on helping them.  This may be a visit to a nursing home, sending a letter to a shut-in or friend, or giving a love offering to a missionary or Pastor who is in another country and has great needs.  When I need encouragement, I give encouragement.  "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).

I take time to walk or do some other physical activity to improve my health and get my mind off of myself. You can work in your yard or garden, wash and wax your car, or work on some hobby you enjoy.  During these times, I will pray and let the Lord speak to me about His love for me and how much He cares for me.  “I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalms 116:1-2).

I find a quite place away from the TV and other distractions and rest and relax.  We often spend too much time listening to discouraging news and negative messages from the media. Find a time to quit worrying about things you have no control over.  “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” (Psalms 37:7).

I make plans for the future instead of worrying about today.  I set daily goals and long term goals to accomplish.  This includes reading books, taking courses in things I enjoy, planning visits to friends and family.  I use this scripture as a personal challenge: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”. (Philippians 3:13).  Most of all, just speak with the Lord about how much you love Him and how much you need Him and His power to make it from day to day and you will have a “Happy Holiday” and happiness following the holidays.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10

CHASING THE WIND

CHASING THE WIND

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Better is a handful of peace than two hands full of toil and chasing after wind.”  Ecclesiastes 4:6 (paraphrased).

Are we are constantly measuring ourself with others to determine if we are "OK"?  Are we unhappy with who we are or what we have as we look at others?  God wants to give us freedom from comparison.

There is no win in comparison.    “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

We have a tendency to compare what we have with what others have. We want our children and spouses to be better than others.  We want our houses and cars to be better than others.  It is not really about us wanting something better. It is about us, so we can feel better about who we are.  We all know that there is something wrong in our lives, personality, behavior, thoughts.  We try to fix this by comparing ourselves to others.  We say “Well at least I am not as bad as (fill in the blank).”

The problem with this is that as we look to the left and to the right, we will always find someone better, smarter, richer, prettier, and so on.  So we are putting undue pressure on others and on ourselves to be like someone else. Just be the best you can be.

There is no win in comparison.  What are we using for a reference point to determine if we are ok or if we are alright?  Solomon is saying that if you always are looking to the left are right for approval, you will have both hands chasing after the wind.  Are you looking at your father, your mother, your husband or wife to tell you you are ok? it is important to “love yourself” regardless if others withhold words of approval from you.

If we are comparing ourselves with others to please them or win their approval, affirmation, or friendship you will live your life by the opinions and demands of others instead of seeking to please our Lord.  When we starting comparing ourselves to others we will find difficulty in knowing our own feelings and wishes.  "Am I now trying to win the approval of others or of God?  Or am I trying to please others?  If I were doing either of these things, I would not  be serving Christ like I should." (Galatians 1:10 paraphrased).

In Ecclesiastes 4:5. Solomon says “The fool folds his hand and does nothing.”   He is not saying we are not to be ambitious and have goals in life.  He is not saying that we do not encourage our children and each other to become better.  What he is saying, is that life is meaningless if you can't enjoy what you have in one hand. Take time to smell the roses as you go through life.

Competitive is different than Comparison.   Competitive is when you put your energy into becoming better instead of doing things in seeking someone else's approval.  You do it for you and the team.  You use your gifts and abilities to help others climb up the ladder of success or overcome problems.  You have one hand climbing up and another hand reaching down to help others.  Then you can find the approval from within.   Being competitive is helping you and others.  This is called being a friend or being a family.

What is your mirror that you are looking at to tell you that you are ok? Are you exhausted from trying to keep up with- (fill in the blank)?  Are you broke from trying to keep up with - (fill in the blank)? Are you allowing what others have keep you from enjoying what you have?

Do you enjoy your kids or are you driving them crazy by comparing them to how much other kids have achieved?  Your love and approval should not be based on performance.  Are you comparing your wife or husband to someone else's?   You need to be thankful for the wife or husband God has given you.  Don’t compare them to others.

Who does your Heavenly Father compare you to?  Nobody.  He went to the cross so He could have a personal, one on one, relationship with you.  He does not compare you with His other children. “He demonstrated His love toward you when you were still nobody - someone who didn’t love Him, He died for you.”  Romans 5:8 (paraphrased).

Who’s estimation of you should you use when you evaluate yourself as whether or not you are ok or not?  You should use God's estimation of you above your own estimation of you.  He is going to say "Your fine, because your mine."

He is not done working on you to make you better.  Look to Him for your affirmation and for His approval of you.  He already sees you as His child.  Quite focusing on your weaknesses and focus on your relationship.

Proverbs 14:30 "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."  If you are always looking at others to receive their approval, you will never have peace, but will be "chasing the wind”.  Envy is wanting what others have and not being satisfied with who you are and what God has given you.

Take your cue about you from how God views you. Psalms 139:14. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  “For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers.” Jeremiah 29:11-12

What you have is less important than what you do with what you have.  The parable of the talents:  Matthew 25:14-30

What are you going to do with what God has entrusted to you?  Celebrate what God has done for others and use what God has given you.  Use what you have in one hand and don’t waste it trying to chase something you will never have.  Live a life of peace enjoying what God has given you and then He will give you more of what you need.

THINGS CHANGE - BUT GOD DOESN'T

THINGS CHANGE - BUT GOD DOESN’T

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).

Today, we live in a world of rapid change. The evidence of change is all around us: Spring becomes summer. Summer becomes fall. Fall becomes winter. Winter becomes spring. The young become aged and the new becomes old and so on and so forth.  Because everything has a season, nothing (at least on earth) lasts forever. God has appointed a "season" for everything. Seasons have beginnings and endings. They last, but not too long. In the life cycle there is a season for conception and growth, a season for childhood and youth, a season for middle age and a season for old age, followed by death. It's all quite natural; it's all ordained by God.

Our lives will be a lot less stressful if we recognize that the omniscient hand of God has appointed a time when things are to be done, and He has a predetermined duration for those things to last. God has appointed the times and seasons, the events of our lives, the happy and the sad, the easy and the difficult.

"He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  The word translated "beautiful" doesn't mean "lovely" or "pretty." It means “mature” "fitting," "appropriate" or "proper." There is a fitting point in time that God has determined something should happen. Accordingly, God will never be late and He'll never be early.

Furthermore, He knows the proper duration for that event. He never holds it over too long or cuts it off too short. He knows exactly the number of days He's given to you, and nobody can shorten those days; nobody can lengthen them either. Our times and seasons are in God's hand. And what we entrust to God's hand, God makes "proper" in its time.  The day of our death is, in His hands, every bit as wonderful as the day of our birth. When you live and die in the knowledge of God's eternal plan, you live and die with this confidence--God makes all things beautiful in its time.

“I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don't you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.” Isaiah 43:19  For God to fulfill that promise in Isaiah, He has to bring about change. When God does a new thing that means that there are changes about to happen. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift from God” That's why we call it the "present" Bible says “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it”.  (Psalm 118:24)

The Lord did not grant us another day on earth to worry and be anxious about what was going to happen next. He gave it to us to rejoice and be glad in Him and be productive in whatever way we could because each day is a gift from God. 

His promise is that He would never forsake us. God’s grace pours out to all who will trust Him. You don’t have to earn it. You just have to be in relationship with Him to receive His grace.

God Is an Agent of Change - However, God Does not Change

Malachi 3:6 says “For I, the Lord, do not change...” God is the same God as He has always been and always will be. One of the attributes of God is that He is Immutable... meaning that He never changes. God is the only person or thing that is not subject to change. His nature never changes. 

Hebrews 13:8, says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” by yesterday is meant all time past; by today, the time present; and by forever all that is future, from the present time to eternity. 

Becoming a Christian requires change. We must remove old habits and develop new ones. God's word is the best source of guidance for self-help and motivation for self-improvement.  True repentance is necessary for salvation; not merely sorrow that one's sins are known, but total transformation and knowledge that all sin is detested by a pure and holy God; a knowledge that our sins are against God, as well as others.

In Matt. 16:24, Jesus said “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Deny himself... not indulge all his earthly desires. Putting aside one's own thoughts, wants, and even needs, to follow Jesus.

Jesus said, "Unless you 'repent' [change your mind and turn around], you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:2) Repent means that you must "change your thinking" and "turn away from your old ways”. "Jesus said, "...blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and do it.” (Luke 11:27, 28). You will be blessed by following the words of Jesus Christ the Lord; to do them.

We come to the Lord in our weakness, in our inability, in our sin and in our failure. We choose to believe His love and ability to change us, as we rest in His grace. The result is that we grow.  “We grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18

Today — He is the same; if we are walking humbly with Him. He will be our God — and we shall be His people! So Let us cultivate . . . intimacy with Him, dependence upon Him, concern to please Him, fear to offend Him, zeal to glorify Him; then it must be well with us in health and sickness, in plenty and poverty, in life and death! For He is the same, and will never turn away from doing us good .

A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY

A NEW YEAR - A NEW OPPORTUNITY

by Pastor Mark Taylor

 “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5)

We are going into a New Year.  The Lord is a creator of new and wonderful things.   We should recommit ourselves to allowing our Lord to lead us in becoming new and better this year.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:5).

As we enter this new year of 2014 we should expect God to lead us into new areas of growth and ministry.  He wants us to know that “you have not passed this way before now” (Joshua 3:4), and it may be somewhat different and even frightening.  But He also wants us to know and have the confidence that He is with us.  “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ... (Philippians 1:5-6)

I would encourage our Church as well as all Churches to pray that God would do more with them this year than He did last year.  The Lord has given us a ministry to reach out to other people.  He has given us the great commission: "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).

Grace is about new beginnings and the mercy of God starting over in our lives.  “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalms 145:8).  “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you” 

(Psalms 86:5).

As we look into 2014 we look at a block of time. We see 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds. And all is a gift from God. We have done nothing to deserve it, earn it, or purchased it. Like the air we breathe, time comes to us as a part of life.  Like receiving a brand new calendar, the slate is clean and ready for us to post our appointments, meetings, dates, anniversaries and celebrations. So let us pencil this in, more time for loving our families, more time to take care of ourselves, more time to do what we really want to do, more time to follow our dreams and more time with the Author of time and the Author of all things, our Lord Jesus Christ.  “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by him all things consist."  (Colossians 1:16-17)

2014 is a new year with new opportunities.  You and I can start over.  Remember that our past sins can be forgiven by God: "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:12).

As we begin to think about this New Year, I would like for us to start our lives like the new calendar.  We are encouraged by the Bible to leave last year behind us. “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”   (Philippians 3:13). 

I realize we cannot completely forget, but we can purposely dwell on positive things that will help us this year.  “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).

Another thing we are encouraged to do to start our lives off with a clear slate is forgiveness. We should ask forgiveness from our Heavenly Father for the sins we have committed this past year and make an effort to live better lives.  Grace is not only a matter of our receiving a “new beginning”, but it is our allowing others to do the same.   Forgiveness is difficult and the actions which have been done to us does not easily fade away.  Despite a hundred sermons on forgiveness, we do not forgive easily nor do we accept forgiveness easily.  Forgiveness is an unnatural act.  It requires divine assistance.  But regardless of how difficult it is, our forgiveness from the Lord is tied to our forgiveness of others.  "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).  Forgiveness is not about others deserving it, but it is about you.   When you forgive, you are doing something wonderful for yourself, and allow God to bless you with good things.

In starting your “new beginning” in 2014, set reasonable, realistic, and measurable goals.  It is God’s will that you be successful and happy.  “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1) .

God wants to bless you, but his blessings are directly related to your love and obedience to Him.  He has a lot of grace to give to you this year.  He wants your life to can be Great in 2014.  It begins today.  “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it”  (Psalms 118:24).  

Today is the day to begin.  “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).

TODAY, I MUST COME TO YOUR HOUSE

“TODAY, I MUST COME TO YOUR HOUSE”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

Luke 19: 1-10

Something happen to a man that gave him a New Life.  It was not just a New Year’s resolution, or making some changes in the way he lived his life.  His meeting with Jesus Christ changed him within, when Jesus said to him: “Today, I must come to your house.”  

If this church or any church is going to continue to grow and please God, it must allow Jesus to come into the homes of its members and attendees.  It has to be more than a religious exercise.  The church mission is outreach to those who need to find Jesus.

And Jesus said to him (Zacchaeus), “Today salvation has come to this house... for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Zacchaeus was one of those people. No one wanted anything to do with Zacchaeus. They had a name for him. It was traitor.  Zacchaeus had a despicable job of being a tax collector. The Emperor needed to fund his army. He needed to clothe and feed his soldiers.  So the Emperor taxed the very people who hated and despised the presence of the Romans.   No one wanted anything to do with a tax collector.  Tax collectors and sinners were often linked in minds of people. Approx. 10 times the phrase “sinners and tax collectors” appears in the Gospels.   

That day, people lined the streets of Jericho. Jesus was coming. Several had seen the miracles he had performed. Many had heard him speak.  Zacchaeus had heard the stories about Jesus, too. He wondered if the stories he had heard about Jesus were true. Some of those people’s lives had been completely changed. The healing they had experienced was transformative to their situations in life. 

How this man looked for Jesus! How desperate was his need! How ironic that he could have any and every luxury that money could buy, but he wanted so much to see Jesus, that Jesus would find him up there in such a humiliating way, in that sycamore tree.

Jesus’ interaction with people is always interesting, because He is our Model of how to interact with people. 

He SAW Zacchaeus. The foliage of the tree would have concealed Zach somewhat, but Jesus still saw him. Do we see people? Or do we just keep on walking or driving? Do you see the single mom struggling with a bag of groceries and a car seat and a little one? Do you notice people? Or are we so caught up in where we’re going?

He STAYED with Zacchaeus..  Not only did he notice him, he spent time with him. Jericho was a city where many priests lived, and one would expect Jesus to stay with one of them. Do we invest time in the lives of others as our Savior did?

He SAVED Zacchaeus.  The greatest gift that Jesus can give us is salvation. Purpose statements are popular in this day and age. Jesus’ purpose statement is in verse 10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” With Christ as our model that should also be our purpose. That’s not just for the corporate church, but for us individually as well.

Once spotted, Jesus made his way to the sycamore tree.  And then Jesus reaches the foot of the sycamore tree. He looks up at Zacchaeus, and he CALLS HIM BY NAME!

He knows you  “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! For I must stay at your house today!”  Jesus knew him by name! He knew Zacchaeus’ deepest wrongs and knew his deepest desires. 

It was true. What people were saying was true. Jesus did eat and hang out with sinners and people no one else liked. Zacchaeus couldn’t believe his ears. Jesus had just said He was coming home with Zacchaeus today.

He knows what you need–a relationship  After Jesus called his name, He beckoned him to come down from the tree. Jesus spoke those words in love and tender compassion. He knew Zacchaeus needed to know he could have a personal relationship with Jesus. Instead of condemning him, He said, “Let’s go to your house.” 

When Zacchaeus took Jesus home with Him, a transformation began. Jesus changed the person Zacchaeus became and changed the way in which he interacted with other people.  He became a very generous person and a person of integrity.  Zacchaeus had become an outsider and a despised individual, but Jesus gave him back his worth and his dignity. Jesus put it this way: “Today, salvation has come to this house.” Zacchaeus, who was lost to the world, was found and saved by Jesus.

When Jesus becomes your friend, He’ll help you clean up your life  He sees you not as you are– but as who you can become. Zacchaeus’ story reminds us of that part of who we are. His story reminds us that someone is always in the sycamore tree, hoping and praying not to be an outsider anymore, hoping to find meaning and purpose to life.

Zacchaeus’ story reminds us to be looking for those individuals. As Christ’s disciples we are called to invite them down from the tree, to travel to their home as Christ’s representative, and to invite them to find a home with brothers and sisters in Christ.

CHRIST'S PRESENCE AT CHRISTMAS

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock..."
Revelation 3:20

“Christ’s Presence at Christmas.”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

Many people are thinking about "presents" at Christmas time, when we should be thinking about "His presence"

In one sense, everything in the Bible is either about God's presence or about a lack of God's presence.

God was present in Christ before His birth, after His Birth, at His resurrection, and with Him today.

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which means, "God with us."

John 1:14  "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." 

John 14:16  "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."

We can experience God's presence in our public and private worship.  When our lives are pure; When our hearts are passionate; When God's power is displayed with our actions; We can experience God's presence.

Is the Lord present in your home? Does the Lord influence how you act toward each other? Are you kind to each other? Is the Lord honored in your home so that others will want a home just like yours? The Lord is looking for homes where His presence is evident.

We can experience God's presence in our hearts today and God's Presence will be with us in the Future.

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 22:20 - "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." 

Our culture has turned away from this being a celebration of Christ’s birth and into just a time when we are out trying to get the best deals.

One of the ways to overcome this cultural slide that is invading the church was to truly worship Christ. Not just by showing up on the weekends to sing songs, but to worship Him through our obedience, our submission and through our sacrifice, like they did at the very first Christmas. 

God’s favor has come upon us in the form of His Son being born in a manger and this is “good news of great joy” and it is something to celebrate with people because it is “for all the people & Christmas is a time when we should share the joy of what Christ has done for us by giving and sacrificing and loving and celebrating in honor and recognition of the birth of Christ.  But, like many things though, over time, the things that started out in a good way get corrupted by a sinful humanity and it ends up bringing pain or stress and a lack of joy.

It is through a relationship that respects the Lord and listens to and obeys Him that we will find peace and contentment in life.  We will never buy fulfillment and contentment and we will never be able to give it to anyone by buying it for them.  And when we do strive for that peace and contentment by buying things or by thinking we can give it will only increase our stress and leave us empty and anxious as we continually seek the latest and greatest thing to make us content.

God came to be with us on this first Christmas. He gave His presence.  Jesus gave us His presence. We honor God as we give like Jesus gave by giving our presence into people’s lives.  It says you are important in my life and I want to be part of it.

An envelope to your wife or husband and to each of your children with a promise of your time with them personally and individually.  “On a certain day we are going to go any where you want to go.  We are going to eat what you want to eat.  We are going to spend time with each other.”  It would probably be one of the best gifts you got.

Yes, we still want to give gifts, but we want to give gifts to those who are close to us in a way that we can give them our presence which is really and truly a gift to be cherished.  Give like Jesus gave and give more “presence” this Christmas.

Spend less Money, but spend more Time  So often we spend money so we don’t have to spend time. We often find time to be a more valuable commodity than money.

Maybe you can make some sort of remembrance keepsake for someone in your family like a book or a video with pictures and music.  The time we spend thinking about what someone would like and then spending time to make it or put something together is part of a gift that will last much longer than a toy.

The shepherds spread the word about Jesus’ birth and what the angels had told them:

Luke 2:17-18  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” 

We want to help Keep Christ in Christmas not only in our families, but to see His name exalted and His Kingdom expanded around the world.  Giving to missions is one way you can share God’s love with those who need it. Share your own presence to those you care about, along with sharing the presence of God and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT OF PEACE

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT OF PEACE - PART ONE

YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT OF PEACE - PART TWO

YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT OF PEACE - PART THREE

Your Christmas Gift of Peace

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward everyone.”  Luke 2: 13-14

How wonderful our homes could be, how wonderful our lives could be, how wonderful our world could be, if we really did put into practice the blessing of "peace on earth, good will toward men." We cannot control what happens outside of our lives, but we can have peace in this world. Our Lord Jesus said:  “My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27)

But our life doesn’t always go as expected. Chances are your perfect Christmas plans will have some unexpected interruptions. Realize that your plans may not be God’s plans, and God is working His plan when He interrupts your plan.

The messages of the angels to the shepherds, to Joseph, and to Mary was to “Fear Not”.  Their first Christmas was full of unexpected interruptions.

Joseph probably would have liked the angel to explain his situation to the rest of the family.  Imagine the hassle Mary endured as an unwed mother, the hassle of a wedding, the whispers and guessing: why Joseph would do such a thing, or who would of thought such a thing of a nice girl like Mary? But the angels only said “Fear Not”.  

Joseph was planning on marrying his sweetheart.  Mary was probably planning on an elaborate wedding and a normal family. Things did not work out like they wanted them to.  God changed their plans.   Because Joseph listened to God and resisted the urge to give into his fear, he did marry his sweetheart and was honored to have been chosen to raise God’s only Begotten Son.

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary as your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:20).

The absence of fear is an important part of having “Peace on Earth” and having peace in your life this Christmas and every day of the year.  

"Do not say to yourselves: Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-14).

After the angel told Mary about her opportunity to let God work in her life by carry the Lord Jesus: The angel told her to “fear not”.

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy Child which shall be born from you shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, your cousin Elisabeth, she has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.”  For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Your word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:34-38.  

We don’t need an angel to appear unto us and speak with us today.  We have God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to give us peace in difficult times.

Whether rich or poor, powerful or weak, whoever we are, we need peace that God is with us. And God has promised that when the Christ child enters our hearts and lives, then we will receive His help. And when we are helped by the Holy Spirit of God, then we are to develop a more sympathetic feeling towards one another.

God wants to give to you this Christmas the gift of Peace.  Peace is an assurance that He is in control of your life if you have given your life to Him.  This is called “Providence” - nothing can happen to you without God knowing about it.

Put the interruptions in your life in perspective.  Sometimes they look a lot worse than they really are and many times they are only temporary.  We spend $100 worth of worry on a $5 problem.  This will rob you of the wonderful gift of peace the Lord wants to give to you.

Another thing that can rob you of this wonderful gift of peace is letting things that others have done to you cause you anger and hurt.  Ask God to give you enough trust in Him that He will take care of the wrong that others have done to you.

“Peace on (Your hearts and minds on) Earth” and may you show good will toward all people.  You can do it if you have God’s Peace in control of your life.  It is a gift, all you have to do is ask for it and accept it as a part of your free Christmas gift of salvation.

YOUR GIFT OF GOD'S SON

YOUR GIFT OF GOD’S SON

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Unto Us a Child is born, unto us a Son is Given” 

Isaiah 9:6

Our Lord and Savior, was both born and given to us.  He was truly-born as a child as you and I were and became a human.  As Jesus Christ, God’s Son, He was given, begotten of His Father, not made, but of the same substance of His Father.  This is a mystery utterly beyond the understanding of any human being.  As one great preacher, C.H. Spurgeon said: “It would be like a gnat drinking from the ocean for a finite creature to comprehend the Eternal God.  A God whom we could understand would be no God.”  

Jesus Christ as a child was born, but Jesus Christ as a Son was not born, but given.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).  It is true that “unto us a child is born”.  It is a fact that a child is born.  It is a fact more fully established than any other fact in history, that the Son of God became a man and was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.  The unbeliever may dispute it, but we, professing to be believers in Scripture, receive it as an undeniable truth, that God has given His only begotten Son to be the Savior of men and women.

If this child who we see through the eyes of faith wrapped in swaddling clothes in Bethlehem’s manger, is born to you, then you are “born again”. “Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). For this child is not born to you unless you are born to this child.  Only men and women who are “born again” can claim the babe in Bethlehem as being theirs.

How can you know if you are “born again”.  There are several ways.  Have you come to Christ and asked for forgiveness of your sins and asked Him to be your Savior?  Is there a change within you that makes you care about spiritual things?  Is there a change in you that makes you want to avoid sin and the pleasures of this world?  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2).  The new birth does not consist in washing the outside of the cup, but a cleaning on the inside, in the inner man.  If you are not changed inside, this child is not born to you. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Another way you can know if you are “born again” is that there is a change on the exterior of your life.  Do your friends and family observe a change?  If there is no change in the outward life, there is no change within.  The proof of the Christian is in the living.  When we live in sin and worldly pleasure, and seek our own desires, and not God’s will, and we deceive ourselves.  “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:6-8).

If this “Child”, the Lord Jesus Christ is born to you, you must come to Him as a child with faith.  “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4). Do you take God’s Word just as it is, simply because your heavenly Father says it is true?  Can you believe the mysteries of God in the Bible without demanding to have them intellectually explained to you?  Can you say and believe as the Psalmist says: “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.” (Psalms 119:89-91).

If this “Son” is given to you, you have become a son or daughter of the Heavenly Father.  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13).  Does the Holy Spirit speak to you about your relationship with Him.  “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”  (Romans 8:15-16).  If “unto us a Son is given”, then we are given to the Son.  "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39).  The Lord Jesus Christ is praying to the Father for you today if you are His son or daughter.  "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” (John 17:9)

If you receive the gift of salvation from God the Father then you have been born again - “unto you a child is born”,.  If you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, “unto you a Son is given”.  How is it we give so little to Christ who gave Himself for us?  This Christmas realize the greatest gift you have been given is the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a personal gift that each person has to receive.

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

“BEAUTY FOR ASHES”

Isaiah 61:1-3

By Pastor Mark Taylor

Today is the First Sunday of Advent.  Celebrating Advent involves spending time in spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas.  We celebrate Advent not only by thanking God for Christ’s first coming, but also for His presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of His Second Coming.

Christ can deliver a holiday to your home that never fades away. One that doesn’t get boxed up and stored away for another year. But rather, one that applies the healing to your life directly in the places where you hurt. One that sets you free.

In Isaiah 61:1-3, which was written sometime before 681 B.C., the prophet foresees this Messiah and speaks for Him…The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon someone?

And someone has been anointed to do some things?  And that SOMEONE is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

In Luke 4: 16-21 Jesus reads from Isaiah 61! The words of the Messiah. 

He tells them, What you’ve been waiting for is here! The Scripture has come true before your very eyes!”.  This is what He came to do the first time and what He will complete at His Second Coming.

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me

to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness

instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.

The emphasis of this message from the Lord is “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.”  The Jews knew that during times of mourning ashes were smeared on the head. Jesus replaces those ashes with a crown. A crown of beauty applies to the head. The cure given directly to the place of need. To bring the new life of gladness instead of mourning – the infusion of a heart of praise to replace despair and depression. Many of you here have received that crown of beauty replacing your ashes, and you know how desperately you needed it.

The Lord promised ‘beauty for ashes.’  What are ashes? They are nothing more than the remains of something that once was. Many of you are now looking back at ‘what used to be,’ and you are wishing it could be that way again. You’ve lost something or someone that  ‘used to be’ and are wishing you could have that person or thing once again.   You are grieving your past; grieving past relationships; grieving past memories; grieving past moments of blessing and are dreaming of ‘what used to be!” 

Your past relationships have failed – they are nothing more than ashes it seems – but God has promised beauty! He has promised to replace your ashes for beauty!  Look at these ashes {sift through the ash heap}. Notice these ashes are nothing more than a remnant of something that once was. It’s dark and gray. It’s lifeless. It’s dirty; filthy. But, today, God will bring that thing back to life once again! He will revive what used to be to become what He expects it to be!

The Bible says that he will give us beauty for ashes. In Bible times it was the custom for the people of that day, in great times of mourning and difficulty, to lay in ashes. Just think about that. You’ve got a problem in your life and you just sit down in a pile of ashes. There is nothing beautiful about ashes.

But the scripture says he is going to take your difficult, disgusting, depressing and horrible situation and give you beauty. He is going to pick you up out of the ash pile of life and make something beautiful out of you.

Isaiah said he will give you beauty for ashes. God knew you would be burnt by life’s experiences. But he also knew he could replace that burnt out mess wi

Whatever God’s hands touch becomes beautiful. All you need is a touch from the master’s hand.  He has made every thing beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Our Lord does not want you to worry about your future or how you are going to make it through your difficult days.  Listen to God’s Words to you today:

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

When you pass through the deep waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame stay upon you.  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior.  Isaiah 43:1-7

Let us begin this Christmas season by thinking about what the Lord Jesus has already done for us and what He is going to do for us in the future.  Allow Him to begin the process of turning your ashes into a crown of beauty on your head.  Others will be able to see this crown and you will glorify your Father who is in Heaven.