2 Timothy 3:12,13
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Should we be surprised at what we see going on in the world today? Should we be surprised at what we see going on in the church today? As I study God's word my answer would have to be absolutely not. God has prepared us for all that we will face in this life through his word. The Word of God must be our handbook for Christian living.
As I keep up with all that is going on in our country it is shocking to me as well. It is appalling that the leader of our country would come out openly in support of what God himself has condemned. Following this announcement there has been a flurry of other people and large groups that have done the same. This could very easily disturb me as well. To be honest it did get me stirred up at first. Then, I began to study the word of God. I see not only has God warned me as a Christian about all that is going on right now, but he also encouraged me not to be troubled by anything that I hear or see.
The bottom line is that the ultimate authority is God's word. I pray for my president and the leaders of my country. But the word of God instructs me that his word is the highest authority. When any leader or minister contradict that word I am not to support them or follow them in that area. That is what is going on right now.
I encourage every single Christian to not be led by all that you see and here. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you through God's word. Remember that wrong does not become right just because someone calls wrong right.
There are many Christians today that have gone astray and been deceived by listening to people that contradict God's word. They say if God loves everyone then he would never say anything against what someone is doing. God is love and he cannot be separated from his Word. God also hates sin. It is sin that put Jesus on the cross to begin with. It was sin that separated mankind from God. Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and make a way back to God for us. To celebrate sin is to reject Jesus and what he has done for us.
Proverbs 14:34 (Amp) says, "Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, bit sin is a reproach to any people." The church is to be the salt of the earth and the light to this lost and dying world. We cannot do this by buying into Satan's lies and deceptions.
I encourage each of you to avoid deception from the enemy by allowing the bible to be the filter by which you pass everything through in your life. As Christians, we must live by the Word of God, not what others say.
This is in no way a letter of attack towards anyone. This is to encourage everyone who claims to be a Christian to get back to God's word. Thank God today that if we build our lives and churches on the foundation of the Word of God then we have absolutely nothing to be concerned about! God is on our side!
In Christ,
Pastor J
Monday, May 21, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
February 21, 2012
I pray this message finds all of you abounding in the blessings of God. It is truly amazing at what God is doing in our midst. It is so awesome to have heard about the vision God has for us here at TAP for so many years and now we are all a part of it coming to pass! Thank God we stayed and obeyed!
Starting the new church, RLC, has been probably the hardest things that Laura Leigh and I have ever done. The hardest thing to deal with was not being here at TAP like we were before. I believe the people here at this church are some of the best people in the world. You have taken care of my family and myself and we have been one big family together. I would have been so happy to have stayed right here for the rest of my life and Pastor this church, TAP. God had other plans.
The number one thing that should be in the heart of every Christian is to please God. This must override what you and I want to do. This is what has taken us back to Marion to start a church. He has blessed us with an awesome church family there is well. It has been so rewarding to watch people soaking up God's word. Many lives have been changed in such a short time, including mine. It seems as if though trusting God continually takes on a brand new meaning the more you step out and do it.
We must learn that it is not about how we feel or just what we desire. Our desire needs to be God's desire. We also should not be surprised as we step out and Satan tries to stop God's plan. He does not want you obeying God and accomplishing God's will. Do not allow opposition to stop you! Know that God is with you every step of the way and will see you through!
The best is yet to come!
Until next time,
Pastor J
Starting the new church, RLC, has been probably the hardest things that Laura Leigh and I have ever done. The hardest thing to deal with was not being here at TAP like we were before. I believe the people here at this church are some of the best people in the world. You have taken care of my family and myself and we have been one big family together. I would have been so happy to have stayed right here for the rest of my life and Pastor this church, TAP. God had other plans.
The number one thing that should be in the heart of every Christian is to please God. This must override what you and I want to do. This is what has taken us back to Marion to start a church. He has blessed us with an awesome church family there is well. It has been so rewarding to watch people soaking up God's word. Many lives have been changed in such a short time, including mine. It seems as if though trusting God continually takes on a brand new meaning the more you step out and do it.
We must learn that it is not about how we feel or just what we desire. Our desire needs to be God's desire. We also should not be surprised as we step out and Satan tries to stop God's plan. He does not want you obeying God and accomplishing God's will. Do not allow opposition to stop you! Know that God is with you every step of the way and will see you through!
The best is yet to come!
Until next time,
Pastor J
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