One of the greatest challenges and the greatest joys is to truly discover what God's perfect will and plan for your life is. It is both general and specific. It is consistent and ever adjusting. But to know it can give you such a peace about life and living.
I believe that God is revealing to me a greater revelation of His plans and purposes for my life and ministry (which are one and the same - my life and ministry). Nearly 20 years ago I felt that God gave me some insight into what He was going to use me to do for the Kingdom of God. I believe that I am beginning to see it start to come into being. If so, I will be very excited about the future, even though right now we seem to be going through some sort of desert, or wilderness experience. By that, I mean that we are seeing God move and do some wonderful things, yet at the same time our provisions are drying up. We are awaiting for God's manna from heaven, or water from a rock kind of thing to start happening. Until then, I (or should I say we, because we are never alone in the Kingdom of God) need to avoid grumbling and complaining. We need to learn to be content with what God is doing, and allow our faith to be stretched and expanded because the land of milk and honey is not far away and the trials of the day are not too hard to endure.
Always remember, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" And God is indeed for us, that I do not doubt.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Times We are Living In
The times we are living in are distressing, to say the least. Natural disasters, man-made disasters, financial disasters, well - you already know. But the worst disaster is that Christians in America are giving in to the fear and stress. Rather than rising up, doing more, working harder, praying more, and fasting, church attendance and giving is going down in America. I am afraid that too many Americans have bought into the whole prosperity teachings of Christianity to one degree or another. Don't get me wrong, I believe in a good, generous, and loving God, but I also believe that He doesn't intend to spoil us or completely protect us from the trouble and difficulties that we face in this world. Like it or not, we grow and mature under pressure far more than when everything is perfect and good.
Let us not forget, the primary reason for being a Christian is so that we can be forgiven from our sins, saved from being condemned from those sins, and brought into a personal relationship with the God who made us and saved us. This is because of His great love, grace, and mercy. All the blessings we get are extras from God, and God is glad to give them to us when it is for our good. But, true Christians are willing to work, suffer, and sacrifice for God and His cause and purposes on the earth. True Christians will love and serve Him no matter what!
If we will trust in the Lord, and remain faithful to do His will, we are going to be fine. Things might get uncomfortable before they get better, but ultimately, by faith in Him, we WILL be able to give God the glory He is due.
Let us not forget, the primary reason for being a Christian is so that we can be forgiven from our sins, saved from being condemned from those sins, and brought into a personal relationship with the God who made us and saved us. This is because of His great love, grace, and mercy. All the blessings we get are extras from God, and God is glad to give them to us when it is for our good. But, true Christians are willing to work, suffer, and sacrifice for God and His cause and purposes on the earth. True Christians will love and serve Him no matter what!
If we will trust in the Lord, and remain faithful to do His will, we are going to be fine. Things might get uncomfortable before they get better, but ultimately, by faith in Him, we WILL be able to give God the glory He is due.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Back in the Saddle Again.
Hey everyone! Kim and I are back from vacationing in Texas. Believe it or not, it was cooler in Texas than it was here. Go figure! We had a great time as we seemed to have successfully balanced rest and activity. We spent 1 week in Corpus Christi, and 1 week in San Antonio. Kassi went with us. No one got sick or injured. Basically, there were no problems. Just good times and good memories.
But, we are back and ready to get busy doing the work and will of the Lord through our wonderful church. Did everyone get to fill out the survey our Church Health Committee distributed while we were gone? I'm looking forward to reading your responses. We are totally interested in doing whatever is necessary for us to have a healthy, growing church. Your input and participation is important.
Also, have you become a fan of Liberty Worship Center on Facebook? Check it out and join the community.
PT
But, we are back and ready to get busy doing the work and will of the Lord through our wonderful church. Did everyone get to fill out the survey our Church Health Committee distributed while we were gone? I'm looking forward to reading your responses. We are totally interested in doing whatever is necessary for us to have a healthy, growing church. Your input and participation is important.
Also, have you become a fan of Liberty Worship Center on Facebook? Check it out and join the community.
PT
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Release the Blessings of God in Your Life
God WANTS to bless us! His blessings are not locked up and hidden from us. Therefore, God has given us the keys, or principles, needed to be able to release His blessings into our lives. One reason why people have trouble releasing the blessings of God is because the don't know what God has said in order for us to release them, but, once we know what they are, we must practice, or do, the principles God has revealed to us. Sometimes it is as simple as asking God for some kind of blessing or for a need to be met. Other times it is more. For example: If you have financial needs, but you aren't giving to the Lord at least a tithe (10% of your income) and an offering (something more, above the tithe), then you are robbing God according to Malachi 3:8-12 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.
To expect something when you give nothing is also a violation of the law of the harvest. You reap what you sow, but, if you sow nothing into the harvest field, you can expect that you will also reap nothing. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
This past Sunday I preached concerning the first and most important of all the Keys to releasing God's blessings into your life, and that is to give your heart and life to God through Jesus Christ. All good gifts come through Jesus Christ. In fact, He is the greatest gift of God that any of us could ever receive. Because Christ purchased our salvation, we not only have a relationship with God as sons and daughters, but we can also approach His throne of grace with confidence and make our requests known to Him.
Salvation through Jesus Christ is like having the key to the vault where all the safe deposit boxes are. Once we are in the vault, there are hundreds, even thousands, of blessings available to meet our every need. Future messages will reveal other keys needed to releasing the blessings of God. In one respect, these are the secrets of the kingdom, but, since they have been revealed to us in God's Word, the Bible, I (as well as others who are helping me) will only be revealing to you what God's Word says. Once you know them, do them, and you can expect to be blessed by God, one way or another.
May you be blessed, abundantly!
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.
To expect something when you give nothing is also a violation of the law of the harvest. You reap what you sow, but, if you sow nothing into the harvest field, you can expect that you will also reap nothing. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
This past Sunday I preached concerning the first and most important of all the Keys to releasing God's blessings into your life, and that is to give your heart and life to God through Jesus Christ. All good gifts come through Jesus Christ. In fact, He is the greatest gift of God that any of us could ever receive. Because Christ purchased our salvation, we not only have a relationship with God as sons and daughters, but we can also approach His throne of grace with confidence and make our requests known to Him.
Salvation through Jesus Christ is like having the key to the vault where all the safe deposit boxes are. Once we are in the vault, there are hundreds, even thousands, of blessings available to meet our every need. Future messages will reveal other keys needed to releasing the blessings of God. In one respect, these are the secrets of the kingdom, but, since they have been revealed to us in God's Word, the Bible, I (as well as others who are helping me) will only be revealing to you what God's Word says. Once you know them, do them, and you can expect to be blessed by God, one way or another.
May you be blessed, abundantly!
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