Posts
Dear Readers,
The following is a help in witnessing to unbelievers of the truth of Jesus - who he is, why he came and what he accomplished.
God made Adam is his image, then made Eve for his helpmate. They both lived in the Garden of Eden that God provided for them. They had a wonderful relationship with God. This is how God intended a relationship to be between God and man.
Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating the fruit of a tree in the garden that God told them not to eat. Because of this sin against God, death came to reign upon the earth and Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. Death is the price that mankind must pay for sin. Everyone born of Adam and Eve since their fall in the Garden of Eden, has sin imparted to them.
Romans 5:17 “For if, by the trespass of one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ?”
God’s plan for redeeming mankind was to provide the prefect sacrifice which would pay sin’s price and stop the reign of death on the earth and restore the right relationship God desires with mankind. Jesus was the prefect sacrifice for sin on the earth because God was his father and Mary a virgin was his mother, thus sin of Adam and Eve was not imparted to Jesus. Jesus lived a sinless life even in a very sinful world. Jesus was the prefect Lamb of God that would be sacrificed for mankind’s sin and become the only way mankind could come back to God. God resurrected Jesus from the dead and made him the first fruit of salvation and glorified him and Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God. You can follow in Jesus’ footsteps and become the fruit of salvation. Jesus is waiting for you.
Jesus began his ministry here on earth and he taught his followers in parables and simple stories that they could relate to. He also taught in synagogues and temples as well as one on one with individuals.
Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth where he had been brought up and the book of Esaias was given unto him and he found the place he wanted to read from while he was in the synagogue. Luke 4: 18-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
Jesus lived his life in perfect union with God, doing the things God wanted him to do and saying the things God wanted him to say. Wherever Jesus went and whomever he spoke with, he spoke the truth of God and people listened because it was the word of God. Jesus said in John 5:30 “By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” Many did not believe what he said and some described him as a man of sorrows. John 12: 44-46 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
Jesus taught many and performed miracles that were witnessed by many people and did not go unnoticed by the Jewish religious leaders, for they were jealous of Jesus’ following and of the truths he told people about them which was not complementary, so they began to plan his death.
Jesus was questioned by teachers of the Jewish law as seen in Mark 2:16 “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: Why does he eat what tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus replied, in Mark 2:17 “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”
Jesus named his twelve disciples and taught them life lessons throughout his ministry. Jesus explained the meaning of many of the parables to his disciples that he spoke to his followers and those who came to listen to him. Jesus choose ordinary men to be his disciples, not highly skilled or respected, but some looked down upon them for their vocations within the Jewish society. Jesus taught these men well while he was alive and taught them many things after his resurrection from the dead because on their shoulders would rest the teaching of the faith and responsibility of the early church and it’s continuation in the faith. These men grew to have awesome faith in Jesus and finished their mission and are now with Jesus in heaven.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus showed himself to many people with undeniable proofs that he was Jesus and that he was alive. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, he gave one last commandment in Mark 16:15-20 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”
You have a choice to make now, whether to follow after the devil which ultimately leads to sin, death and hell or to choose Jesus who is mankind’s Saviour from sin, death and hell. Jesus invites you to follow him into abundant life, the life God intended for you. Jesus says in Matthew 11: 29-30 “ 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.” Jesus provides you with the forgiveness of your sins, past, present and future by allowing you to ask him for forgiveness for your sin. Jesus is the only way for you to have a right relationship with God restored. Jesus is able to offer you eternal life, as he is living now. There is no downside to Jesus’ offer. Why would you not choose Jesus as your Saviour, the Son of God, and the only way to God. Who do you choose?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Do Not Be Stale
The “Good News” letter
Sunday, 06/21/09
Hello Readers,
I have missed posting my blog for a couple of weeks now and I apologize to you and only offer the reason for this delay. My mother-in- law (Mary) living with us has had several emergencies occur and I also have had health issues arise.
Sometimes things happen in your life, that take center stage and you must put some things down to focus on the immediate situation. That is what has happened here in my family. The Lord has allowed this for several reasons; one I feel is important enough to relate to you.
We all get into routines that can dominant our lives and we do not even long for open doors of deeper and more meaningful service because we feel that we are doing our best now. When we fail to go deeper and wider in our walk with the Lord and get comfortable in our service to him and do not look beyond what service we are doing presently, we begin to get stale.
God does not want this for any of his children. Jesus came to earth and died and rose again so we could have an abundant life. He took away our sins so they do not deter us from following him and he gave us a means of riding our souls of our sins by asking him for forgiveness and repenting of our sins. We should not be held by anything this world has to offer us, but we should be living life to please our Lord God. After all, we were created for his pleasure.
So, again look to God for his direction and guidance in your life so you ARE pleasing to him and when you are pleasing to God, you are definitely going to know it as well and have his peace and joy in your life. Life is challenging and God wants us all to grow and not be stale,
So let’s look at the way we live and ask God if he is pleased with us or does he want some changes made. If you feel stale and not full of his joy and peace, there is room for change. Let God be the one who opens the door for change because he alone knows what is for our good.
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Sunday, 06/21/09
Hello Readers,
I have missed posting my blog for a couple of weeks now and I apologize to you and only offer the reason for this delay. My mother-in- law (Mary) living with us has had several emergencies occur and I also have had health issues arise.
Sometimes things happen in your life, that take center stage and you must put some things down to focus on the immediate situation. That is what has happened here in my family. The Lord has allowed this for several reasons; one I feel is important enough to relate to you.
We all get into routines that can dominant our lives and we do not even long for open doors of deeper and more meaningful service because we feel that we are doing our best now. When we fail to go deeper and wider in our walk with the Lord and get comfortable in our service to him and do not look beyond what service we are doing presently, we begin to get stale.
God does not want this for any of his children. Jesus came to earth and died and rose again so we could have an abundant life. He took away our sins so they do not deter us from following him and he gave us a means of riding our souls of our sins by asking him for forgiveness and repenting of our sins. We should not be held by anything this world has to offer us, but we should be living life to please our Lord God. After all, we were created for his pleasure.
So, again look to God for his direction and guidance in your life so you ARE pleasing to him and when you are pleasing to God, you are definitely going to know it as well and have his peace and joy in your life. Life is challenging and God wants us all to grow and not be stale,
So let’s look at the way we live and ask God if he is pleased with us or does he want some changes made. If you feel stale and not full of his joy and peace, there is room for change. Let God be the one who opens the door for change because he alone knows what is for our good.
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A Moving Testimony
Dear Readers,
During our churches homecoming celebration, a very moving testimony was presented by Chad Adams. Everyone in church was still talking about it the following week.
The Testimony of Chad Adams
By Chad Adams
Greet the Congregation: Good Morning!!!
For all of you that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet my name is Chad Adams.
For all of you that I have met "Hello". I want you all to know that my family and I appreciate all the prayers that you have prayed for my mother. For those of you that do not know my mother is in ICU at Duke hospital. She had a hemrorage of the brain. It happened on mother's day and I know she would of liked to have been here for this but she couldn't. She is doing much better thanks to God and it is "his will" that I present my testimony today.
I would like to start off by telling you all "God Bless you for coming to fellowship at church today". Not necessarily for my testimony and to hear me speak but for coming to Church. I look at it as a great battle already won when any human takes a step through the doors of a Church and towards the righteousness of God: I can tell you all that I didn't think of it like that before. I thought Church was boring. I thought it was pointless. Just a bunch of hypocrites getting together on Sunday as saints but conforming right back to this world on Monday.
That was my opinion until I came here to Turner's Chapel. You see it was a very special person that had a very special family that encouraged me to come. In fact they offered me an invitation several times but stubborn me had to do it my way. So I tried to pick a church and ended up at one locally here in Lee county but I just couldn't fit in. I didn't know why I couldn't fit in, they ~ a big congregation and a lot of people I know, they had a great musical program, and they had a good pastor. God has showed me now. You can go to the Church that has the best preaching, the best singing and praise, the newest building but if God is not calling you there then he has his reasons.
So one Sunday I agreed to come to Turner's Chapel and you know I liked it. Not only did I like it, I loved it. I loved it so much I came another Sunday and another. Little did I know I was the gasoline and God just struck the match for my Faith. One day after the service Pastor Bruce came up to me and introduced himself. The next thing I know I am opening mail and I had a letter from Pastor Bruce thanking me for coming and telling me he was going to stop by my house and about that time my phone rang and it was Pastor Bruce. " Talk about short notice" I have never had a pastor from any church come to my house and actually take the time to show he cares and to offer to help me grow in Christ. I tried to talk him into doing my laundry while he was there but he had something come up last minute. So with the will of God and a little help from Pastor Bruce I became a member.
My life before I started walking was like getting on a roller coaster that went up and down and around but you never knew where it ended. I was in a theme park, the theme park of destruction. All the rides looked awesome and were fun but in the end they all lead to the same place and that was Hell. In the theme park there was rides like adultery, deceit, idolatry, and my personal favorite~ was Lust. These rides led to other things like low self-esteem, bitterness, no self-control, never being satisfied, regret, and selfishness. Little did I know I was in the devil's playground and everything was pretty smooth as long as I was doing what he wanted me to, which was getting lost in the desires and fleshly things of this world and to remain his prisoner in his' theme park. Eventually I realized the rides all lead to the same place and I made a step towards the exit with the help of Jesus Christ. My guide.
This Church and a lot of the members here have all played their part in my exit of that old theme park. Along with Christian friends, staying in God's word, and most importantly of all prayer I made my exit and I remain in God's grace. Yes Satan still comes to visit me. He always lets me know I am welcome back anytime, he even has offered me discounted tickets, not just for me but if I bring others. My faith in God has angered him. He has hurt me and tried to rob me of everything I have, he even has gone as far as attacking others around me. He will rob and attack you also if you try to leave his theme park. He will turn friends against you; the stresses in life seem to become more ample and unbearable, he has taken relationships and tore them apart to the point that I can't even tell if I will be forgiven by those I have hurt. He will use anything against you including yourself. He will even hurt the ones that you love and make them suffer. The most powerful thing I
used to think was your actions but I can tell you nothing is more powerful than your own tongue. It can build up someone and it can destroy him or her. No matter how extravagant and fun the rides were and no matter who rode with me I always felt alone and I always felt empty. When it was over I was empty and had no one to turn to. My load was always heavy like soaking wet jeans and boots. The further I went the heavier they got.
Jesus reached out his hand to me one day and we left that theme park. When I left he
gave me a change of dry clothes. We left the rides, we left the pain, we left my suffering and sorrows, and most importantly we left my sins. My sins were all forgiven but never to be forgotten. Since that day we left I have seen some key relationships with my family and friends improve. I have seen some of the prayers I have prayed, answered. I have had friends I never thought would ask want to come to church. I have seen God almighty working in others and me and blazing a trail of light in our paths. I have watched my faith grow each day. I have learned to pray more. As Charles Stanley has said we win our battles on our knees. I have seen my selfishness crumble piece by and piece and I have forgiven where I didn't think it was possible.
I have come to the realization that our time on this Earth isn't guaranteed so treat each second like it is your last. Think before you speak or act on your anger. You never know if you will see that person again once they walk out that door. Most importantly when I began my walk with Christ "I GREW UP!!"
It's not that adversity that we face because in this life it is going to come. It is greater than that; it is how we handle the adversity that comes. I have a few favorite scriptures that 1would like to share with you all that has helped me in my journey so far:
2 Corinthians 5:7, Isaiah 42:16, Romans 6:23 and Romans 3:23.
We can't forget that we all are sinners and we can't categorize it neither because sin is sin and the God we serve has the same punishment for all of it. I can't lie to any of you. I still struggle and go through trials. I still find myself riding some of the old rides if 1am not careful. The difference between now and then is I get off the ride usually before it ends and 1find the nearest exit. I still struggle with the desires of the flesh and 1need to learn to pray more in midst of adversity that 1face every day. We all fall down and sin including the non-Christians. The only difference between them and us is when we fall down we get back up and Jesus dusts us off, grabs our hand and escorts us back to that
narrow path. The path of life. I can tell you that nothing can match the love of God. God's love is unconditional, it is forgiving, it is peace, it is patient, and it is true. He is the most open minded and understanding being imaginable and we, as humans are not capable of comprehending his character. He is the truth. He is life. Every breath you breathe is a privilege. Every second your heartbeats and you have is a blessing never to be taken for granted. He owes us nothing and we can never repay him for what we owe. I was going to end this by thanking God but I just want to share something with you all. I let my mom read my testimony before anyone else. It brought tears to her eyes. She wasn't saved before Mother's Day. She has observed my walk with Christ and I personally believe she wanted what I have gained. While I was out by the road waiting on the EMS last Sunday night I was praying. I didn't know what was going to happen but God spoke to me and told me to have peace. Little did I know while I was praying that my mother asked Jesus
into her heart. She always knew who he was in her head but not in her heart. She told me the day she finished reading my testimony that she thought I should end it different and that I should end it with a question. So with a little help from mom and a lot of inspiration from God I personally believe the way to end this testimony is to ask each and every one of you a question. Are you tired of riding the same old rides? Are you tired of the pain and suffering? It is no secret that adversity visits everyone saved or not. But I can testify to you all today that Jesus is with you. He has his hand held out and he is waiting for you to grab it. If you are ready to leave that old theme park then take his hand and he will lead
you to the exit,he will bear the load of your pain and suffering,he will teach you to love, he will teach you forgiveness, and he will give you life. I encourage you if you are still in that theme park to find someone who is saved, someone you are comfortable with and if you don't have anyone to go to you can come to me, Pastor Bruce, or any of our deacons. We can help you take that Ist step towards the exit and lead you to Christ.You see it isn't about knowing who he is or the story of his life. It is living it.
(Chad's mother went to be with the Lord on the following Saturday after Chad presented his testimony.)
During our churches homecoming celebration, a very moving testimony was presented by Chad Adams. Everyone in church was still talking about it the following week.
The Testimony of Chad Adams
By Chad Adams
Greet the Congregation: Good Morning!!!
For all of you that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet my name is Chad Adams.
For all of you that I have met "Hello". I want you all to know that my family and I appreciate all the prayers that you have prayed for my mother. For those of you that do not know my mother is in ICU at Duke hospital. She had a hemrorage of the brain. It happened on mother's day and I know she would of liked to have been here for this but she couldn't. She is doing much better thanks to God and it is "his will" that I present my testimony today.
I would like to start off by telling you all "God Bless you for coming to fellowship at church today". Not necessarily for my testimony and to hear me speak but for coming to Church. I look at it as a great battle already won when any human takes a step through the doors of a Church and towards the righteousness of God: I can tell you all that I didn't think of it like that before. I thought Church was boring. I thought it was pointless. Just a bunch of hypocrites getting together on Sunday as saints but conforming right back to this world on Monday.
That was my opinion until I came here to Turner's Chapel. You see it was a very special person that had a very special family that encouraged me to come. In fact they offered me an invitation several times but stubborn me had to do it my way. So I tried to pick a church and ended up at one locally here in Lee county but I just couldn't fit in. I didn't know why I couldn't fit in, they ~ a big congregation and a lot of people I know, they had a great musical program, and they had a good pastor. God has showed me now. You can go to the Church that has the best preaching, the best singing and praise, the newest building but if God is not calling you there then he has his reasons.
So one Sunday I agreed to come to Turner's Chapel and you know I liked it. Not only did I like it, I loved it. I loved it so much I came another Sunday and another. Little did I know I was the gasoline and God just struck the match for my Faith. One day after the service Pastor Bruce came up to me and introduced himself. The next thing I know I am opening mail and I had a letter from Pastor Bruce thanking me for coming and telling me he was going to stop by my house and about that time my phone rang and it was Pastor Bruce. " Talk about short notice" I have never had a pastor from any church come to my house and actually take the time to show he cares and to offer to help me grow in Christ. I tried to talk him into doing my laundry while he was there but he had something come up last minute. So with the will of God and a little help from Pastor Bruce I became a member.
My life before I started walking was like getting on a roller coaster that went up and down and around but you never knew where it ended. I was in a theme park, the theme park of destruction. All the rides looked awesome and were fun but in the end they all lead to the same place and that was Hell. In the theme park there was rides like adultery, deceit, idolatry, and my personal favorite~ was Lust. These rides led to other things like low self-esteem, bitterness, no self-control, never being satisfied, regret, and selfishness. Little did I know I was in the devil's playground and everything was pretty smooth as long as I was doing what he wanted me to, which was getting lost in the desires and fleshly things of this world and to remain his prisoner in his' theme park. Eventually I realized the rides all lead to the same place and I made a step towards the exit with the help of Jesus Christ. My guide.
This Church and a lot of the members here have all played their part in my exit of that old theme park. Along with Christian friends, staying in God's word, and most importantly of all prayer I made my exit and I remain in God's grace. Yes Satan still comes to visit me. He always lets me know I am welcome back anytime, he even has offered me discounted tickets, not just for me but if I bring others. My faith in God has angered him. He has hurt me and tried to rob me of everything I have, he even has gone as far as attacking others around me. He will rob and attack you also if you try to leave his theme park. He will turn friends against you; the stresses in life seem to become more ample and unbearable, he has taken relationships and tore them apart to the point that I can't even tell if I will be forgiven by those I have hurt. He will use anything against you including yourself. He will even hurt the ones that you love and make them suffer. The most powerful thing I
used to think was your actions but I can tell you nothing is more powerful than your own tongue. It can build up someone and it can destroy him or her. No matter how extravagant and fun the rides were and no matter who rode with me I always felt alone and I always felt empty. When it was over I was empty and had no one to turn to. My load was always heavy like soaking wet jeans and boots. The further I went the heavier they got.
Jesus reached out his hand to me one day and we left that theme park. When I left he
gave me a change of dry clothes. We left the rides, we left the pain, we left my suffering and sorrows, and most importantly we left my sins. My sins were all forgiven but never to be forgotten. Since that day we left I have seen some key relationships with my family and friends improve. I have seen some of the prayers I have prayed, answered. I have had friends I never thought would ask want to come to church. I have seen God almighty working in others and me and blazing a trail of light in our paths. I have watched my faith grow each day. I have learned to pray more. As Charles Stanley has said we win our battles on our knees. I have seen my selfishness crumble piece by and piece and I have forgiven where I didn't think it was possible.
I have come to the realization that our time on this Earth isn't guaranteed so treat each second like it is your last. Think before you speak or act on your anger. You never know if you will see that person again once they walk out that door. Most importantly when I began my walk with Christ "I GREW UP!!"
It's not that adversity that we face because in this life it is going to come. It is greater than that; it is how we handle the adversity that comes. I have a few favorite scriptures that 1would like to share with you all that has helped me in my journey so far:
2 Corinthians 5:7, Isaiah 42:16, Romans 6:23 and Romans 3:23.
We can't forget that we all are sinners and we can't categorize it neither because sin is sin and the God we serve has the same punishment for all of it. I can't lie to any of you. I still struggle and go through trials. I still find myself riding some of the old rides if 1am not careful. The difference between now and then is I get off the ride usually before it ends and 1find the nearest exit. I still struggle with the desires of the flesh and 1need to learn to pray more in midst of adversity that 1face every day. We all fall down and sin including the non-Christians. The only difference between them and us is when we fall down we get back up and Jesus dusts us off, grabs our hand and escorts us back to that
narrow path. The path of life. I can tell you that nothing can match the love of God. God's love is unconditional, it is forgiving, it is peace, it is patient, and it is true. He is the most open minded and understanding being imaginable and we, as humans are not capable of comprehending his character. He is the truth. He is life. Every breath you breathe is a privilege. Every second your heartbeats and you have is a blessing never to be taken for granted. He owes us nothing and we can never repay him for what we owe. I was going to end this by thanking God but I just want to share something with you all. I let my mom read my testimony before anyone else. It brought tears to her eyes. She wasn't saved before Mother's Day. She has observed my walk with Christ and I personally believe she wanted what I have gained. While I was out by the road waiting on the EMS last Sunday night I was praying. I didn't know what was going to happen but God spoke to me and told me to have peace. Little did I know while I was praying that my mother asked Jesus
into her heart. She always knew who he was in her head but not in her heart. She told me the day she finished reading my testimony that she thought I should end it different and that I should end it with a question. So with a little help from mom and a lot of inspiration from God I personally believe the way to end this testimony is to ask each and every one of you a question. Are you tired of riding the same old rides? Are you tired of the pain and suffering? It is no secret that adversity visits everyone saved or not. But I can testify to you all today that Jesus is with you. He has his hand held out and he is waiting for you to grab it. If you are ready to leave that old theme park then take his hand and he will lead
you to the exit,he will bear the load of your pain and suffering,he will teach you to love, he will teach you forgiveness, and he will give you life. I encourage you if you are still in that theme park to find someone who is saved, someone you are comfortable with and if you don't have anyone to go to you can come to me, Pastor Bruce, or any of our deacons. We can help you take that Ist step towards the exit and lead you to Christ.You see it isn't about knowing who he is or the story of his life. It is living it.
(Chad's mother went to be with the Lord on the following Saturday after Chad presented his testimony.)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Salvation is Here!
The “Good News” letter
Sunday, 05/17/09
Hello Readers,
Did you know that God sees you all the time in all your victories and your failures, in your love for some and your hatred for others? If you ever think that God does not see all, you are wrong. (Psalms 33: 13-14 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all inhabitants of the earth.)
Some say that God overlooks things that we think or say or do that are wrong but we consider them ok because “everyone else does it too”. God’s ways are not ours. God is perfect and he considers the very thoughts we have (Proverbs 15: 26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.)and the Bible tells us of the wickedness of our tongues (James 3: 4-6 Or take ships for an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell.) ( James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.) and the sinfulness of what we do (Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not with my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;).
What draws us farther and farther away from a righteous relationship with our God? (Jeremiah 2: 19 Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me,” declares the LORD, the LORD Almighty.) When does sin become a temptation that we no longer want to resist? (Matthew 26: 41 Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.) (1 Corinthians 10: 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.) ( Luke 22:39-40 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation”.)
God loves you no matter what you have thought, said or done. He does not want you to be lost and miserable without a prayer or the hope of being saved from yourself and your sin. He loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross to wipe ALL your sins away, past, present and future and to become a new creature, one that is free from the penalty of sin (death) and one that has a new relationship with God through his son, Jesus. Why do I say through his son, Jesus? Jesus lay down his life so that you can live life abundantly as God intended and to save you so you could have a right relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus is the only one who can save you. There is no other, not your parents, your siblings, your friends, your wife or husband, only Jesus. Now Jesus is the son of God, but he is also the son of man. Jesus understands about life here on earth, the temptations, the evil, the sorrows, the pain and he understands human feelings as well. He knows when you ask him into your heart and life and want to follow him the rest of your life, whether you mean it or you are just saying the words. Jesus is not fooled by words we speak and do not mean. Jesus did not come to earth, leaving the glories of heaven to live, die and be resurrected by God himself for nothing. He came to open the way to God for us and to heaven as well. Jesus is serious about salvation and we need to be serious as well, after all, there are only two places to go to when we die, heaven or hell. Learn how to be saved and when you are saved, you will realize how wonderful it is to be saved. In Romans 1: 16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”.) The gospel is found in several areas in the Bible. A lot of Christians like John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God says that the angels rejoice in heaven over one lost soul who is saved. Imagine so much love for you and so much rejoicing when you come back to God and begin to follow Jesus.
You have a whole kingdom that will welcome you as a new Christian. It is called the kingdom of God. You can play a part in building the kingdom of God right here on earth. The Holy Spirit, sent to earth by Jesus to help, guide and comfort us will show us how to build God’s kingdom. The Bible is the very word of God and we should be reading it every day of our lives to learn of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Life is meant to be lived abundantly and it can be for you too as a Christian who places their faith in Jesus and becomes his and his alone. After all it was his hands that created all that is created including me and you. Who better to put your faith in than your creator and redeemer?
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Sunday, 05/17/09
Hello Readers,
Did you know that God sees you all the time in all your victories and your failures, in your love for some and your hatred for others? If you ever think that God does not see all, you are wrong. (Psalms 33: 13-14 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all inhabitants of the earth.)
Some say that God overlooks things that we think or say or do that are wrong but we consider them ok because “everyone else does it too”. God’s ways are not ours. God is perfect and he considers the very thoughts we have (Proverbs 15: 26 The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.)and the Bible tells us of the wickedness of our tongues (James 3: 4-6 Or take ships for an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell.) ( James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.) and the sinfulness of what we do (Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not with my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;).
What draws us farther and farther away from a righteous relationship with our God? (Jeremiah 2: 19 Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me,” declares the LORD, the LORD Almighty.) When does sin become a temptation that we no longer want to resist? (Matthew 26: 41 Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.) (1 Corinthians 10: 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.) ( Luke 22:39-40 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation”.)
God loves you no matter what you have thought, said or done. He does not want you to be lost and miserable without a prayer or the hope of being saved from yourself and your sin. He loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross to wipe ALL your sins away, past, present and future and to become a new creature, one that is free from the penalty of sin (death) and one that has a new relationship with God through his son, Jesus. Why do I say through his son, Jesus? Jesus lay down his life so that you can live life abundantly as God intended and to save you so you could have a right relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus is the only one who can save you. There is no other, not your parents, your siblings, your friends, your wife or husband, only Jesus. Now Jesus is the son of God, but he is also the son of man. Jesus understands about life here on earth, the temptations, the evil, the sorrows, the pain and he understands human feelings as well. He knows when you ask him into your heart and life and want to follow him the rest of your life, whether you mean it or you are just saying the words. Jesus is not fooled by words we speak and do not mean. Jesus did not come to earth, leaving the glories of heaven to live, die and be resurrected by God himself for nothing. He came to open the way to God for us and to heaven as well. Jesus is serious about salvation and we need to be serious as well, after all, there are only two places to go to when we die, heaven or hell. Learn how to be saved and when you are saved, you will realize how wonderful it is to be saved. In Romans 1: 16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”.) The gospel is found in several areas in the Bible. A lot of Christians like John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God says that the angels rejoice in heaven over one lost soul who is saved. Imagine so much love for you and so much rejoicing when you come back to God and begin to follow Jesus.
You have a whole kingdom that will welcome you as a new Christian. It is called the kingdom of God. You can play a part in building the kingdom of God right here on earth. The Holy Spirit, sent to earth by Jesus to help, guide and comfort us will show us how to build God’s kingdom. The Bible is the very word of God and we should be reading it every day of our lives to learn of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Life is meant to be lived abundantly and it can be for you too as a Christian who places their faith in Jesus and becomes his and his alone. After all it was his hands that created all that is created including me and you. Who better to put your faith in than your creator and redeemer?
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Have a "Good Relationship" with God
The “Good News” letter
Sunday, 04/12/09
Hello Readers,
What a wonderful Easter! I enjoyed our Sunrise service at church and had been asked to give my testimony which I did.
There were remarks spoken about how people enjoyed it and how it touched their lives. If you are ever chosen to speak before your church, pray about first and then if God agrees that you should speak, then accept the invitation to do so.
In preparing your words, let the Lord lead you and you will be assured that the words and scriptures given to you will have the desired effect on those who hear the words. You may never know unless someone tells you that your speech affected them, but trust God because his words never come back void.
Isn’t it really amazing how God will use those people who are open to him, so stay open to him and God will continue to use you. (Matthew 25: 23 “His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’)
This article will be shorter than my normal blog because I want the main idea of trusting God for your source of thoughts, words and actions to be the main theme of this article. It is so important to protect your eyes and ears from seeing or hearing things that the Lord does not recommend for us. The Lord knows us and wants us to keep our relationship with him uncontaminated by the things of this world so we can enjoy fellowshipping with him without our sin interfering or stopping it. (Matthew 18:7 “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come.)
Be careful little children…..
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Sunday, 04/12/09
Hello Readers,
What a wonderful Easter! I enjoyed our Sunrise service at church and had been asked to give my testimony which I did.
There were remarks spoken about how people enjoyed it and how it touched their lives. If you are ever chosen to speak before your church, pray about first and then if God agrees that you should speak, then accept the invitation to do so.
In preparing your words, let the Lord lead you and you will be assured that the words and scriptures given to you will have the desired effect on those who hear the words. You may never know unless someone tells you that your speech affected them, but trust God because his words never come back void.
Isn’t it really amazing how God will use those people who are open to him, so stay open to him and God will continue to use you. (Matthew 25: 23 “His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’)
This article will be shorter than my normal blog because I want the main idea of trusting God for your source of thoughts, words and actions to be the main theme of this article. It is so important to protect your eyes and ears from seeing or hearing things that the Lord does not recommend for us. The Lord knows us and wants us to keep our relationship with him uncontaminated by the things of this world so we can enjoy fellowshipping with him without our sin interfering or stopping it. (Matthew 18:7 “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come.)
Be careful little children…..
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
You Can Not Out Give God!
The “Good News” letter
Sunday, 04/05/09
Hello Readers,
According to the latest posting on my computer the weather in North Carolina on Sunday should be warm, sunny and beautiful. Sometimes the weather agrees with the forecast and sometimes not. There are so many changes in weather patterns that are unpredictable. People have been trying to forecast the weather correctly for centuries.
When God reveals his plan(s) for individuals or nations to us, you can count on his word and the events occurring as he has revealed them. There are no occasions that God’s word was not or will not be fulfilled. God does not change like the weather, he is the same yesterday, today and forever, and he keeps his promises that he has made to mankind. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
In the present condition of world economies, citizens of the world can get quite edgy and discontented with only the slightest of downtrends in the marketplace or a decrease of hours on their job or with their job situation becoming insecure, decline in their personal portfolio or an increase in grocery or fuel prices. Even devaluation in the current value of their home or increase in property taxes can be alarming for a lot of people. Many people can not even sleep through the night for worrying about the present and/or the future.
As Christians we should not be all consumed with the way the world is changing, for we are no longer of this world, but we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.) (Ephesians 4: 23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteous and true holiness.) Are you experiencing the joy and freshness and the expectancy of what the Lord will reveal to you each day? If not, why not? What is the stumbling block(s) to your living the “abundant life” that Jesus wants you to live? (John 10: 9-11 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.) Jesus wants you to live an abundant life.
Living an abundant life in Jesus comes with some advise from Paul about running in a race (the race to spread the gospel) in 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Paul also spoke of this race in Hebrews 12: 1-3 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Are you in “the race”? If not, you can join “the race”, just pray to God about your desire to serve him and he will let you know how and when. Do not stop praying to God about this for God hears our prayers.
Please remember that no matter how valuable your money, time, or service is to you, they can all be used of God and he will bless you for what you give for building his kingdom. You can not out give God! God has given his only son to save us, to make a way through Jesus for us to be reconciled to God. We can not out give God! God created all that was, is and ever will be. God gave us life and as Christians, eternal life. We can not out give God!
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Sunday, 04/05/09
Hello Readers,
According to the latest posting on my computer the weather in North Carolina on Sunday should be warm, sunny and beautiful. Sometimes the weather agrees with the forecast and sometimes not. There are so many changes in weather patterns that are unpredictable. People have been trying to forecast the weather correctly for centuries.
When God reveals his plan(s) for individuals or nations to us, you can count on his word and the events occurring as he has revealed them. There are no occasions that God’s word was not or will not be fulfilled. God does not change like the weather, he is the same yesterday, today and forever, and he keeps his promises that he has made to mankind. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
In the present condition of world economies, citizens of the world can get quite edgy and discontented with only the slightest of downtrends in the marketplace or a decrease of hours on their job or with their job situation becoming insecure, decline in their personal portfolio or an increase in grocery or fuel prices. Even devaluation in the current value of their home or increase in property taxes can be alarming for a lot of people. Many people can not even sleep through the night for worrying about the present and/or the future.
As Christians we should not be all consumed with the way the world is changing, for we are no longer of this world, but we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.) (Ephesians 4: 23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteous and true holiness.) Are you experiencing the joy and freshness and the expectancy of what the Lord will reveal to you each day? If not, why not? What is the stumbling block(s) to your living the “abundant life” that Jesus wants you to live? (John 10: 9-11 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.) Jesus wants you to live an abundant life.
Living an abundant life in Jesus comes with some advise from Paul about running in a race (the race to spread the gospel) in 1 Corinthians 9:23-25 “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Paul also spoke of this race in Hebrews 12: 1-3 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Are you in “the race”? If not, you can join “the race”, just pray to God about your desire to serve him and he will let you know how and when. Do not stop praying to God about this for God hears our prayers.
Please remember that no matter how valuable your money, time, or service is to you, they can all be used of God and he will bless you for what you give for building his kingdom. You can not out give God! God has given his only son to save us, to make a way through Jesus for us to be reconciled to God. We can not out give God! God created all that was, is and ever will be. God gave us life and as Christians, eternal life. We can not out give God!
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net or call 775-1954 and ask for Nancy. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sping is Here!
The “Good News” letter
Sunday, 03/29/09
Hello Readers,
I am really enjoying Spring this year. I know that a lot of you are having winter storms now. We are having a lot of rain. We have had 5 straight days last week and tomorrow will start another 5 days of rain. The change over of the seasons is always rough and sometimes stormy where we live. The flowers and the flowering trees and bushes sure make you feel great. There are bright colors everywhere.
Do you remember when you became a Christian? Do you recall your life changing over time as you continued to open your life to the Lord and grow as a Christian? Is it not similar to the seasons changing from Winter to Spring? From the plant’s seeds that seemed dead to new life in the Spring coming from those seeds. This change in seasons resembles the change in our lives, from our being dead in our sins to our being alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-6 But because of his great love for us; God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms with Christ Jesus.)
We have been made alive, praise God. We can thank God for our salvation this Spring and be grateful to be here enjoying this season with our Lord. Take time now to say thank you to God for his son, Jesus and for our being made alive in Christ. With Spring being a very busy time, we still need to take time to honor our Lord.
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
Sunday, 03/29/09
Hello Readers,
I am really enjoying Spring this year. I know that a lot of you are having winter storms now. We are having a lot of rain. We have had 5 straight days last week and tomorrow will start another 5 days of rain. The change over of the seasons is always rough and sometimes stormy where we live. The flowers and the flowering trees and bushes sure make you feel great. There are bright colors everywhere.
Do you remember when you became a Christian? Do you recall your life changing over time as you continued to open your life to the Lord and grow as a Christian? Is it not similar to the seasons changing from Winter to Spring? From the plant’s seeds that seemed dead to new life in the Spring coming from those seeds. This change in seasons resembles the change in our lives, from our being dead in our sins to our being alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-6 But because of his great love for us; God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – and God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms with Christ Jesus.)
We have been made alive, praise God. We can thank God for our salvation this Spring and be grateful to be here enjoying this season with our Lord. Take time now to say thank you to God for his son, Jesus and for our being made alive in Christ. With Spring being a very busy time, we still need to take time to honor our Lord.
If you have confidential prayer requests, please email them to: denainc@windstream.net. Your prayer request will be laid at God’s throne and the prayer that is prayed will be sent to you.
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