BUILT ON ROCK OR SAND?

Mat 7:24-27 (NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of
mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his
house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the
winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because
it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish
man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams
rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with
a great crash."
God has expectations for all of us! Those expectations are not defined by a particular organization we belong to but by faithfully serving Him through obedience to His word. If the word says it, I believe God expects for us to put His word into action, through faith and obedience. Romans 2:13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.) We should all pray for a spirit of acceptance! Proverbs 15:32 "He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."
In order to obtain a walk with God that contains any amount of substance we must become grounded first. We do this by planting our foundation on a firm ground and not on sinking sand. If our foundation is not built on the unshakable truth found in the word of God we can not withstand the storms that prevail against us.
Psalm 33:4 "For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth." Jesus is the "Rock" in which our foundation is built upon. Deepening our relationship with Him will strengthen us and make our relationship solid and unshakable. Psalm 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Not only do we seek salvation through baptism in Jesus name and the infilling of the spirit of the holy ghost, we also must seek a closeness with our Father that comes from a committed relationship with Him. Really connecting with Him in all we do and passionately serving Him and applying His will in your daily lives. Serving Him through moments of peace and through times of storms. We serve God by choice, God desires for us all to follow Him, but He will not force us. We must make a choice to allow God to transform us into who He would have us to be. We are not defined by who we know, how much money we have in our bank accounts or even our careers. We are defined by God, we are His children. There is no greater love that one can experience than the love of our heavenly Father. We shouldn't harbor the truth but share it with others as often as possible. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Worldly possessions mean very little in the scheme of things. We certainly can't take these treasures with us to Heaven. Our eternity with Jesus Christ is what matters most. Let's make everyday and experience with Him deeper and better than the one before. Let's stand firm and committed to His word and trust Him. Following after His ways steadfastly and assuredly. Nothing or no one can bring us the joy and riches He brings, He holds our future!
Lord,
Help me to draw closer to you each day I live. Help me to be what you would have me to be. You have a purpose for my life, please allow me to fulfill your purpose. I love you and desire to be more like you. I know with your help all things are possible! Help me to keep my trust in you and to never resist your direction for my life. Allow my walk with you to be infallible, please keep me in your perfect will always.
In Jesus Name, Amen!

LET'S GIVE THANKS!

Let's Give Thanks
You can't help but to think about the goodness of God, it literally surrounds us! This is a time of year when many take time to be thankful for the blessings in their lives. They are just that, blessings! We have so much to be thankful for, our families, health, friendships, etc.... Truthfully each of us could think of many things we can be grateful for! Psalm 106:47 Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. We know that the good things in our lives are blessings because the Lord reminds us of that in scripture. In Proverbs 28 scripture tells us "A faithful man shall abound with blessings". The most wonderful blessing any of us can obtain is a close relationship with the Lord. I am very thankful for my family, Pastor and church, but mostly I am thankful for the desire God placed in my heart years ago when I was a child to serve Him. Even more so I am thankful for the seed that was planted in my Mother when she was young by her Aunt, if her Aunt had not been faithful and planted the seed of the Lord, perhaps I would have not ever known the Lord today! It is so vital that we plant a seed of truth among whom ever we come in contact with so they also can reep blessings and salvation through Him. Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.(Colossians1:12) Job, in the most trying of times, still gave thanks to God. Scripture time and time reveals that before a breakthrough there was thanks. Meaning people praised God and thanked Him in advance even in the midst of their adversity. When we praise God for the blessings in our lives we are acknowledging that He is the reason for them, and we give all are honor and glory to Him. "But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel."(Psalm 22:3) God will manifest His power through praise and thanks. He demonstrated this many times in the Bible. Especially in Acts 10:46 "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." God then gave them powerful gifts; 1Corinthians 12:7-11 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. Gifts of power are given to each of us through the Spirit of the Holy Ghost! His power saves, delivers and heals!Acts 10:46 He is our Comforter, our Consolation, our Father, our Friend. We have so much to be thankful for, where would we be without Him?

HELP ME TO BE LIKE YOU!

Like You


Lord help me to be in Your holy will;
Tell me what to do today;
Lead me in Your righteousness;
Make me more like You, I pray.


Guard me against this corrupting world,
Its perverted priorities, temptations, too.
Direct my mind toward Your commands,
So I can focus my life on You.


Fill my heart with Your light and love,
So I can assist those I see in need;
With You as my role model, let me be
Like You in thought and word and deed.


By Joanna Fuchs

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN MARRIAGE!

For days I have felt impressed in my spirit to write on the spiritual warfare's that are occurring in marriages. It seems that no matter which way you turn you hear of someone you know either having problems in their marriage or ending their marriage. This has become an epidemic in our society today. Now before I go any further I want to make clear I am in no way claiming to be an expert on marriage or to have a perfect marriage. I am however very thankful to the Lord for my marriage and family, I am blessed but am aware that Satan would love to destroy my family as much as any other godly home! What I have obtained is a marriage of nearly nine years through a series of many many lessons, with many more to come! Yet what ever devil that has came against my marriage I have always felt an enormous urgency to pray! Psalm 61:3 "For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." Satan is raging against the unity in marriages. We must not allow ourselves to be caught off guard. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Marriage is a blessing from God. Satan has been out to rob and steal our blessings from the beginning of man kind, this started with Adam and Eve. John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. Marriage is a holy and sacred gift from God, it brings a God given unity between man and woman. Genesis 2:24 "For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
I recently read an article about a couple who's marital struggles were inevitably leading them straight for divorce. Spouts of uncompromising arguments were a daily affair. Still yet the two of them felt compelled to attend a church that they felt certain they were being led to. They went to the church and started attending Bible Studies there. The woman who helped lead Bible Studies at the church came to this young wife and told her that she had been praying for the couple and as she was praying God gave her a vision of a lion's head in their living room, roaring. Again remember this verse; 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." She then told her Satan was trying to destroy her marriage. Instantly the young wife knew it was a message from God, and she called her husband to tell him what happened. The couple joined hands and took authority over their marriage and rebuked the spirit of Satan from their home. They continued to pray together daily for strength and protection over their marriage from that day forward. You see, Satan knew the plans for that young couple long before even they knew. The husband later on became Pastor of that church and the couple have done mighty things in their church and community with the help of the Lord. What better way to eliminate the sheep.....eliminate the Shepard!
We must be wise, prayerful and determined to love our spouses unconditionally without contention. This can be at times very difficult. The State Of Unions report projected that divorce is a growing trend. Even though we have had a slight decline in divorces since 2005, it is not at all due to divorce. In fact the decline has been due to more and more couples cohabiting instead of marrying. It is seemingly becoming more popular in today's society than to marry. Cohabiting couples are said to have twice the break up rate opposed to a married couple. God intended for couples who share intimacy to be married. Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. 1Corinthians 7:8-9 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I, if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. As Christians we have to model our lives after the will of God. We do this through obedience to His word.
If we know of someone who is struggling in their marriage and family, our duty is to pray fervently for them. So often people are so quickly ready to give up or throw in the towel per say. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. As Christians we must guard our precious gifts given to us by God. The accomplishments of a strong, holy marriage include filling Heaven with our children, and their children and whom ever they spread the word of God to and become saved. Our children will be living witnesses for Christ who are willing and ready to do a work for Him that will build the Kingdom of Heaven. Generations can be brought to God through the unity of a godly marriage and family. Their is much work to be done for the Lord, and God is coming back for His people soon. That is why the fight is greater now than ever before, Satan realizes he is running out of time! But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions... what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:10-17 NKJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
◦having girded your waist with truth,
◦having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and
◦having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
◦above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
◦And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — and for me... (Ephesians 6:10-20 NKJV)

HE LOVES US THIS MUCH!

I found this poem online and it was so inspiring I had to share. It really describes the unfailing love Christ has for each of us!


I Love You This Much
by Tanya Staggs


You said, I love you this much, arms stretched out wide, with nails in Your hands and a wound in Your side.

Stripes of blood on Your body, thorns into Your head, You cried out to Your Father, and then you were dead.

I can scarce imagine the horrible suffering that loving me that much would to Your life bring.

You made the sacrifice so that I might be free, because of Your amazing unconditional love for me.

A love that flows freely, as Your blood did that day. And even when I falter, Your love is here to stay.

If only I could repay You for all that You went thru.

I guess the only way to do that is to live my life for You.

To live each day the best I can, be all I know I can be, and to show the love to others that You have shown to me.

SHED YOUR FEARS!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear is anxiously consuming! Most often we fear what we can't control such as rejection, sickness or disease and even death to name a few. We know scripture tells us to fear not! We tend to mishandle our lives when we rely on ourselves to control the direction of our future. We have to allow God take full control without resisting His will for us. Too many times God desires for us to move in one direction and we are determined to go in a direction that we have set for ourselves. This choice causes us to be lost and confused. God is not the author of confusion, and fear is not of God. Why....because fear is a trick that Satan uses to torment the mind, and if he can do this, we lose all joy and peace. Statistics have shown that in most cases fear never becomes reality. Fear gives us a false sense of hopelessness. Fear is a spirit that is from Satan, the author of lies. Satan uses that to rob us from the blessings and miracles that God intends for us to reap. The Bible says that "we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world...and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NLT). God says that Satan only comes to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). And that is the agenda for the Spirit of Fear!
The Bible tells us God is our Comforter, Our Resting Place, Our Peace Maker! God can not use us if we are bound by a spirit of fear. When faced with fear we must seek Him through prayer and God will come to us and deliver us."I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."Psalm 34:4 I have always reminded my children when ever they had an unpleasant dream "to fear not for God is with them". Instilling in them that no matter what they face their is nothing that they have to fear, knowing God is with them. Through prayer we gain power and confidence to face and conquer our fears through the Spirit of God! Fear keeps us bound and unable to move forward, this is crippling for our spiritual walk with God. We need to cast out all spirits of fear and doubt and loose the spirit of faith, confidence and obedience upon each of our lives!
Fear Not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, Ge 26:24
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world John 16:33 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. Acts 9:31
Remember, Jesus performed a miracle with Peter! Peter was given the ability to walk on water with Jesus. And he did walk on water but as soon as Peter started recognizing his circumstances, and all that was against him, his heart filled with fear and he surely began to sink. "Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus." Matthew 14:9 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Peter's miracle was cut short because he yielded to the spirit of fear instead of keeping his trust and faith on Jesus. Regardless how hopeless and grave the circumstances may present themselves in our lives, we can totally trust God to see us through and protect us against anything that wars or rages against us. I wonder how often we cut our miracles short by spending our time worrying over our circumstances instead of spending our time in prayer and reading the word. God will bless prayer and supplication but God will never bless fear and doubt. Shed your fears through the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is your protection, strength and power to overcome!

Jeremiah 18:1-6 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2“Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” 3So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 5Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
People can make life very difficult at times. How often we who are marred by our imperfections must be made new. Just like the potter who made the pot of marred clay seen it unfit or unmanageable. So he started over and made a new and improved pot. But keep in mind he still used the same clay that was being used for the other pot. Same clay.....different pot! My point is this....God is our potter and we are His clay. And although at times we can become unmanageable of ourselves, if we give ourselves to Him, He can reform us and our lives into something quite beautiful! He doesn't throw us out as unusable, He molds us into an image that resembles Him! The potter had complete control over the clay and His uses for it. God has complete control over us and our lives. God has the ability and skill to change who we are and give us the capability to follow out His will for our lives. He gives us power and wisdom to carry out His plan for us. By faith and obedience God will preserve our lovely new creation, this is the keeping power of God. If we break, He will mend us, if we are lost, He will find us, if we seek Him, He rewards us, He is hope for the hopeless, and if you ask anything in His name, it will be given to you....
Isa 26: 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isa 55: 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.