Only 12% of people keep their New Year's resolutions. Why?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday!
This Sunday at 10:50 am, Pastor Don will present his Annual Christmas Monologue entitled, “Christmas Through The Eyes of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
God!
Folks, a virgin birth was nothing for the God of the Universe!
Jesus talks about His Father’s capability in Luke 1:37 when He says that, "Nothing is impossible with God." God is a “possibility thinker” because He knows what He is capable of doing. Church, the word “impossible” is a ten letter, dirty word because we serve a God that says that nothing is impossible with Him including the birth of The Messiah in a cattle trough.
What seems impossible in your life right now?
God can handle any situation that we give Him. He is not overcome by anything that is overcoming us. No problem you have is too tough for Him. Nothing is beyond His capability.
What is the major decision that you are facing this week? What is the mountain that needs to be moved in your life?
In Jeremiah 32:27, God asks us, “Is anything too hard for me?"
Jesus talks about His Father’s capability in Luke 1:37 when He says that, "Nothing is impossible with God." God is a “possibility thinker” because He knows what He is capable of doing. Church, the word “impossible” is a ten letter, dirty word because we serve a God that says that nothing is impossible with Him including the birth of The Messiah in a cattle trough.
What seems impossible in your life right now?
God can handle any situation that we give Him. He is not overcome by anything that is overcoming us. No problem you have is too tough for Him. Nothing is beyond His capability.
What is the major decision that you are facing this week? What is the mountain that needs to be moved in your life?
In Jeremiah 32:27, God asks us, “Is anything too hard for me?"
Thursday, December 09, 2010
The Calendar!
What is the big deal about Jesus being named our PRINCE OF PEACE?
In the past, the coming of Jesus made peace with God. In the present, those who come to Jesus find peace in the now.
Christian, do you need to re-establish the joy of your salvation? Sinner, are you tired of a “peace less” existence? Embrace the Prince of Peace today!
Truthfully speaking, all of us need to maintain a little margin.
...When you lose margin, you lose perspective.
...When you lose margin, you lose gratitude.
...When you lose margin, you lose peace of mind.
So how do you maintain margin?
I think it comes down to time management. If you do not control your calendar, your calendar will control you. In regards to the ABC’s of Christmas, it really is that simple!
In the past, the coming of Jesus made peace with God. In the present, those who come to Jesus find peace in the now.
Christian, do you need to re-establish the joy of your salvation? Sinner, are you tired of a “peace less” existence? Embrace the Prince of Peace today!
Truthfully speaking, all of us need to maintain a little margin.
...When you lose margin, you lose perspective.
...When you lose margin, you lose gratitude.
...When you lose margin, you lose peace of mind.
So how do you maintain margin?
I think it comes down to time management. If you do not control your calendar, your calendar will control you. In regards to the ABC’s of Christmas, it really is that simple!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
The Big Deal!
What is the big deal about Jesus being named our EVERLASTNG FATHER?
An, “Everlasting Father” is faithful to complete what He has started.
No matter what a child does, a real parent still loves that child and desires to see that child through! Folks, God is a real parent who wants to see us through no matter what we have done!
That is the heart of the Christmas story!
Jesus is called the, “Everlasting Father” because His love for us endures forever. He desires to finish the good work that He has started in us. If you have wandered away from Him, wander back today! If you have never known Him, get to know Him as of this morning!
An, “Everlasting Father” is faithful to complete what He has started.
No matter what a child does, a real parent still loves that child and desires to see that child through! Folks, God is a real parent who wants to see us through no matter what we have done!
That is the heart of the Christmas story!
Jesus is called the, “Everlasting Father” because His love for us endures forever. He desires to finish the good work that He has started in us. If you have wandered away from Him, wander back today! If you have never known Him, get to know Him as of this morning!
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Fight!
What is the big deal about Jesus being named our MIGHTY GOD?
The baby born in the manger was not just the Son of God; He was also God the Son. The word “mighty” in the original Hebrew is, “gibor,” which means “strong one” or “powerful and valiant warrior.” So our, “Mighty God” is a God who fights for His people!
Just as passionately as Pharaoh wanted to destroy every Israelite boy, the devil wants to destroy every one of our kids, not to mention our grandkids, nieces and nephews! Let us all go to war – starting today – with our Mighty God at our side. Our kids are just that – ours – so let us use a little common sense and help them avoid every kind of evil.
In regards to the ABC’s of Christmas, it really is that simple!
The baby born in the manger was not just the Son of God; He was also God the Son. The word “mighty” in the original Hebrew is, “gibor,” which means “strong one” or “powerful and valiant warrior.” So our, “Mighty God” is a God who fights for His people!
Just as passionately as Pharaoh wanted to destroy every Israelite boy, the devil wants to destroy every one of our kids, not to mention our grandkids, nieces and nephews! Let us all go to war – starting today – with our Mighty God at our side. Our kids are just that – ours – so let us use a little common sense and help them avoid every kind of evil.
In regards to the ABC’s of Christmas, it really is that simple!
Monday, December 06, 2010
Two Cookies in Each Hand!
One of the many important decisions confronting new parents is this, “What shall we name our baby?” Most new parents spend hours debating that question. I know that Pastor Kyle and Kayla have given very serious consideration to naming their son, “Don.”Names matter!
The prophet Isaiah, writing 700 years before Jesus was born, prophesied that Jesus would be called by at least four names: “…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace…” (Isaiah 9:6).
What is the big deal about Jesus being named our WONDERFUL COUNSELOR?
Jesus goes to no one for advice and anyone who goes to Him receives wholesome direction.
May I give you some human advice this morning? A balanced diet is not a cookie in each hand. Jesus desires to give all of us much more important direction than that! Jesus desires to lovingly tell you the truth today. Not the partial truth – that validates what you might falsely believe – but the whole truth and nothing, but the truth! Why? Because Jesus desires to take you to places that you might not want to go so that you can get to where Jesus wants you to be.
Here is a thought: if you cannot hear the voice of Jesus, maybe it is because you are not willing to hear everything that He has to say!
Friday, December 03, 2010
Give me some skin!
Jesus left heaven headed for a remote village in a forgotten province, to join a despised race, to be born of an obscure teenage peasant girl in a stable, wrapped in rags, placed in a feeding-trough instead of a crib.
Notice that 2nd Corinthians 8:9 says that Jesus, “became” poor. Not He, “was made” poor. We are made poor by circumstances or poor choices, but Jesus, of his own free will, became poor. Jesus voluntarily gave up the riches of heaven for the poverty of earth. That is the heart of the gospel.
Church, I am talking about incarnation. That concept comes from John 1:14 which says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The phrase, “became flesh” really means to wrap yourself in skin. That is what happened at Bethlehem. God entered the human race in the form of a man not only to save us, which is in itself everything, but also to be our example, our encourager – our wonderful counselor!
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR IN A COUNSELOR?
A counselor gives advice, wisdom, hope and encouragement! An encourager is YOKED with us! Praise God, Jesus gives us an invitation with no expiration date. Look at what He says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." A yoke is a device that hitches two draft animals together so that they can work in tandem to accomplish more. Here is the point! Jesus invites us into more than just a casual relationship with Himself. The invitation that Jesus extends to us goes far beyond just showing up to church occasionally and singing a few songs or praying a few prayers.
Jesus invites us to be hitched to him in a partnership that encourages, brings hope, advice and wisdom!
Notice that 2nd Corinthians 8:9 says that Jesus, “became” poor. Not He, “was made” poor. We are made poor by circumstances or poor choices, but Jesus, of his own free will, became poor. Jesus voluntarily gave up the riches of heaven for the poverty of earth. That is the heart of the gospel.
Church, I am talking about incarnation. That concept comes from John 1:14 which says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The phrase, “became flesh” really means to wrap yourself in skin. That is what happened at Bethlehem. God entered the human race in the form of a man not only to save us, which is in itself everything, but also to be our example, our encourager – our wonderful counselor!
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR IN A COUNSELOR?
A counselor gives advice, wisdom, hope and encouragement! An encourager is YOKED with us! Praise God, Jesus gives us an invitation with no expiration date. Look at what He says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." A yoke is a device that hitches two draft animals together so that they can work in tandem to accomplish more. Here is the point! Jesus invites us into more than just a casual relationship with Himself. The invitation that Jesus extends to us goes far beyond just showing up to church occasionally and singing a few songs or praying a few prayers.
Jesus invites us to be hitched to him in a partnership that encourages, brings hope, advice and wisdom!
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
I Dare Ya!
Paul used the Churches in Macedonia as an example to show the Churches in Philippi, Berea and Thessalonica how to give in light of God’s unlimited resources! We can also learn from that example today!
You can find the example in 2nd Corinthians 8.
What’s in your wallet? That does not matter! It is what’s in God’s wallet that really counts!
Notice that the Macedonian Churches Gave Sacrificially! Look at 2nd Corinthians 8:2, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” The Macedonians did not give out of vast wealth, but rather, “they gave out of “great trial” and “deep poverty.” The Macedonians had nothing, but they gave generously anyway! When Paul uses the word poverty, he is not talking about, “not being able to afford a new television,” but instead, he is talking about, “not being able to afford a house to put that new television in.” Those Macedonians were destitute, but they gave anyway!
Why? Because the Macedonians knew -- in their hearts -- that God owned the cattle on a thousand hills!
What’s in your wallet? Well, let me tell you! There is enough money in your wallet to give generously knowing that your God will give generously back to you! During the next 4 weeks, let us all give more than we get! I dare ya!
You can find the example in 2nd Corinthians 8.
What’s in your wallet? That does not matter! It is what’s in God’s wallet that really counts!
Notice that the Macedonian Churches Gave Sacrificially! Look at 2nd Corinthians 8:2, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” The Macedonians did not give out of vast wealth, but rather, “they gave out of “great trial” and “deep poverty.” The Macedonians had nothing, but they gave generously anyway! When Paul uses the word poverty, he is not talking about, “not being able to afford a new television,” but instead, he is talking about, “not being able to afford a house to put that new television in.” Those Macedonians were destitute, but they gave anyway!
Why? Because the Macedonians knew -- in their hearts -- that God owned the cattle on a thousand hills!
What’s in your wallet? Well, let me tell you! There is enough money in your wallet to give generously knowing that your God will give generously back to you! During the next 4 weeks, let us all give more than we get! I dare ya!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)