Bible Truth Music Giveaway!

Well those who know me, know that I love the blogging here at IFBKJV.com (especially the devotions and quotes/quips), but that I also have a couponing blog where I document my journey at getting our shopping costs down to a goal of 50% through freebies, coupons, and recipes that are healthy - but inexpensive.  I was pleasantly surprised to find Bible Truth Music hosting a giveaway of a loaded MP3 player! I thought I would blog about it here as well as at CouponNewbie.com. Here is how to enter:

"Want to win this MP3 player? Here's how: Copy this entire post, and paste it on your facebook wall, then paste it again on our Bible Truth Music facebook wall! All who do, will be entered in a drawing to be held next Tuesday at 4pm eastern time! http://www.bibletruthmusic.com/mp3-player-w-bible-songs-for-kids-vol-1-4.aspx?id=1501"

~ Jessica

Stress And The Pastorate

The ministry can be very challenging at times. With each issue that surfaces, a measure of stress, worry, and anxiety is also entertained. Pastors have to learn how to deal with stress or they will become a casualty and statistic. Nobody wants to be a sermon illustration of this kind so it is best to face stress and it's cousins head on.

The Reality Of Stress

"Worry is a kind of insult to the Lord.  It's like throwing His promises and assurances back into His face and saying they're no good and you don't trust Him." - Fletcher

Nobody can deny the reality of stress. I suppose the old timers did not call it by that name, but they faced it too. Whether it is the crammed schedule of a work week or wading through church problems, stress is alive and well in the pastorate. Balancing family time and ministry time is a bear to handle! Add working a secular job into the mix and you add to life's complications.

Ignoring the avenues on which stress travels is all too common. Most know that stress exists, but the same people tend to overlook it. The best thing a pastor can do is to live their life in light of the fact that they have a stressful work and they should act accordingly!

The Results Of Stress

"Anxiety springs from the desire that things should happen as we wish rather than as God wills." - Anonymous

High levels of stress can adversely affect personality, family relationships, personal health, productivity of ministry and quality fellowship with the church family. Aside from the category of personal health, each one of these deal with the pastor and his fellow man. What an opportunity for Satan to make an inroad into a godly testimony! It is so important for pastors to monitor this so they can guard themselves from ineffectiveness, that often results, in loss of testimony.

Heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, etc. are often the result of stress. Pastors should not fall victim to this. They should be examples of those that give their burdens to the Lord Jesus. No, they are not expected to be spiritual supermen, but they should be even keeled!

The Remedy For Stress

(Philippians 4:6-7) "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  (KJV)

It would be foolish for one to over simplify the issue of stress and the pastorate. However, the primary remedy for stress is quite simple; at least in precept. Effectual prayer is the best remedy, and many Bible verses can be cited to prove this truth.

Stress stems largely from worry or anxiety about particular issues, and some of these difficulties are completely out of a pastor's hands. When you lump everything into a simmering pot called "ministry", the only way for sanity to be maintained is through personal prayer time.

Upon examining the Old Testament, you will find numerous examples of people who faced great dangers while carrying out God's will. They were men like everyone else. Hebrews chapter eleven records many of their names as well. They made it through life's struggles and so can every pastor alive today! Allow God's peace to guard your heart and mind.

Conclusion

Pastors must face stress every day. There is no way around this fact of life. If one will frequent the prayer closet, then godly attitudes can be kept and faith can be seen more easily by others. Prayer affects attitude, attitude affects vision, vision affects direction, and direction affects people. Stress can destroy all of this! Pastor beware of stress and take great care of spending quality time with your Lord!

The Potter's Hands

Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Times have been busy and rather painful lately. My husband has been facing some opposition as he labors here in this place. I would love to pour my heart out, to tell you the crazy accusations, to gripe and moan, but I'll refrain. That's why I haven't written on my blog lately; I've been worried my emotions would kidnap my will, and I'd write things that should have never been written.

During this time away, I've been praying, reading, meditating, talking to my husband and trying desperately to make sense of the events of the last two weeks. God has been so good to me. He has taken me by the hand, and led me down a path to restoration and healing. He has not "vindicated" me, He has not, through His word, proven to me that I'm right. Rather, He has used this time to teach me how badly I need Him and how much growing I still have to do. 

Since I am in the habit of being transparent, I would like to bare my heart.I have been reading through Paul's epistles in chronological order. I just finished Philippians, and it is no coincidence that my reading a few days ago directed me when I needed it most.

Philippians 3:13-14 Bretheren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

I must forget the past - the mistakes of the past, the victories of the past, the pain and sorrow of the past - all of it. While I do not think I will ever literally forget everything from my past, I know I do not have to dwell on it. I can bring those thoughts into captivity (2 Cor. 10:5) and retreat into the arms of my Savior when Satan tempts me to think negative, depressing thoughts. I can purposely plan for the future; thinking about the things that I long to do for my Savior if He gives me the time on Earth to do it.

Philippians 3:18-19 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in the their shame, who mind earthly things.)

There is such a thing as people who are so in love with this world, that things with eternal value (souls), do not matter.  People who, I fear, are not even saved. Whether saved or not, they are clearly enemies of the cross. These people are everywhere. The Lord convicted me of two things in reading this passage. The first was, am I an enemy of the cross? Is my "belly" my god? I hope not! I want to guard against that! The second thing was that Paul said "now tell you even weeping..." He wasn't angry at these folks, he was heartbroken! Oh, how wicked I am! I get angry at these people, not saddened! I tell you this in shame.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever, things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

When life gets overwhelming and my emotions carry me away into the depths of despair, I can change my thinking - and my talking - to the things that are true (Jesus loves me and is with me no matter what), honest (speaking truth in love is NEVER wrong, even when the truth hurts), just (God is always right and will set things right in HIS time), pure (God's Word is pure, and source of good thoughts!) lovely (My Savior is altogether lovely!), and good report (the souls saved, the souls baptized, the lives changed). There are so many good things to think about, why do I always gravitate toward the negative? Oh! Because I'm a dirty, rotten sinner. 

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I am to be satisfied with my lot in this life, my place on this earth, and the task God has given me. If the Lord wants me to sit in dust and ashes or in the White House, I should be content and live joyfully for Him. I have failed on this, many times! I often look around at others' ministries, lives, jobs - whatever - and longed to be in their place or doing what they are doing. The truth is, I wouldn't like it even if I could trade places with them! It isn't a "job" problem, it's an attitude problem. When I am looking for the bad, I'll find it, wherever I go. I know I shouldn't compare myself to them because the Bible says that is "unwise". (2 Cor. 10:12)

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

I look at the above list of my "wrongs" and I know I cannot correct all of these things myself. I am unable to will myself to think right thoughts, to speak right words, and to have the right heart and attitude. Christ must help me. And this verse says He will.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

No matter what happens, my God will take care of me. I cannot be separated from His love! As the song says, "Hallelujah, what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a friend! Saving, keeping, loving, HE is with me to the end." Even if I lose my very life, He will guide me safely to my Heavenly home.

I feel as though the Potter has had to break my vessel, so that He can re-make it. The breaking is painful, but necessary. The re-molding isn't comfortable either - my flesh resists the changes He is making - but in the end, it will be worth it. He is giving me a chance to love, truly love the enemies of the cross. I know I will fail, because I have such a wicked heart, but I hope I will come closer than I've ever been before.

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts. I write to you with heaviness of heart and mind; a great weight pressing down upon me that I would love to run out from under, but cannot. I fall down beneath the load, to look over and see the feet of my Lord. I am not alone! He knows where I am, what I am doing, and what the outcome will be.

Resting in the Potter's Hands,

Valerie (The Bishop's Wife)

IT ALL STARTS WITH "U"

"Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son..
And each time U pray, you'll see it's true,
You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.
You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U, He was born; that's why He came.
And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.
Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?
The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.
When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.
"Go into the world and tell them it's true
That I love them all - Just like I love U."
So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?
It all depends now on what U will do,
He'd like them to know,
But it all starts with U."
copied

"I am so happy today and the sun shines bright, The clouds have been rolled away;
For the Savior said, Whosoever will May come with Him to stay.
All my hopes have been raised, O His name be praised, His glory has filled my soul; I've been lifted up, And from sin set free, His blood has made me whole.
O what wonderful love, O what grace divine, That Jesus should die for me; I was lost in sin, for the the world I pinned, But now I AM SET FREE!"WHOSOEVER, MEANETH ME!!"

I am so happy today that "whosoever" did mean me. I was saved 57 years ago and thank God I am saved today!! My sins have been washed away, underneath the blood that Jesus shed for me on Calvary. They have been cast as far as the East is from the West!! Never to be remembered by the Lord God,ANYMORE. If you know me then you may remember them but that doesn't matter at all. I am a sinner saved by Grace! I could do nothing to save myself and it is the Lord God, Who keeps me. I have failed since being saved and will fail again if I take another breath but I AM SAVED !!

I am "SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF THE CRUCIFIED ONE!"I am "a child of the Father,joint-heir with the Son.""The Father He spake, and His will it was done;Great
price of my pardon, His own precious Son;" "All hail to the Father, all hail to the Son, All hail to the Spirit, the great Three in One!Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!"

I know some may think I talk about this too much but when God has done something so wonderful for you, how can you keep your mouth shut. Each year that I live,which will be 68 soon, I realize all the more what a precious price was paid for my salvation those many years ago on the cross of Calvary by the Holy Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. I would not be able to live for their is within me a heart so full of thanksgiving that I do believe if I was quiet, this would be the time the rocks would SING OUT. So, I tell all who will listen what the Lord has done for me and that it really is no secret, He will do the same for you!! connie, a child of the King

Looking For Bloggers to Review My Book

Hey everyone - I'll make this short and sweet.  I'm looking for some bloggers who'd like to get a free ecopy of my book to review on their blogs.  I'll pay the expense if you are willing to review the book, I have a limited amount I can do right now, but I'd love to give you a free copy.  I have no "timeline" of when I'd expect the book to be reviewed in, but normally people do it in around 2-3 months of recieving it.

Please send me an e-mail if you're interested to support@truthandsong.com

The ebook is readable on your PC with the free Kindle PC download or on a Kindle device, or maybe even your phone.

To see what other people have said about the book, go to it's listing on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Roadmap-Through-Revelation-ebook/product-reviews/B004LZ5334/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Here's more info on the book:

http://revelationroadmap.blogspot.com/

THIS PRISONER HAS BEEN SET FREE

THIS PRISONER HAS BEEN SET FREE





"TO FORGIVE IS TO SET A PRISONER FREE AND DISCOVER THE PRISONER WAS YOU"

FORGIVING.....To cease to feel resentment of or claim requital for (an insult); To grant forgiveness

FORGIVENESS....THE ACT OF FORGIVING, Pardon

To forgive seems easy when it concerns someone else.To us to forgive when someone hurts, betrays , insults us in some way, then it becomes an almost insurmountable obstacle in our lives. It take a very mature person to forgive someone and to make it happen quickly and completely.

Many years ago now, I had my first taste of forgiving someone who hurt me with something really important to me. I did not want to forgive. I wanted for the person to hurt as I had been hurt.BUT, I knew what was right and my heart would not let me rest. Yes, the person had wronged me but there was a conviction in my heart that burned deep inside of me. I had learned something over the years from the Lord that would not give me peace. We are commanded as Christians to forgive those who have wronged us. Matthew 6:14,15 says,

For if ye forgive men their trespasses**
your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; BUT IF YE F O R G I V E N O T MEN THEIR TRESPASSES, NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER F O R G I V E Y O U R TRESPASSES."

** these words found in a dictionary,not in the Bible.**(1. A violation of moral or social ethics;Transgression;sin;2.Err,Sin;)

Recently, I have learned another verse that means so much to me.It is found in the book of James chapter 2:2a....."For IN MANY THINGS, WE OFFEND ALL.

I learned another thing about offense here. WE OFFEND ALL! So, we too, offend, we are just not being offended by others. The Bible says that we offend in MANY things. So, either we learn to forgive or we will not be forgive by our Heavenly Father.

We cannot just use words in this instance to say we forgive and hold that resentment in the secret place in our hearts, where no one can see. OH, WAIT, HOLD ON.....SOMEONE DOES SEE, THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON OF ALL, God, Our Heavenly Father, who has forgiven us all that we ever did.

Yes,I know it hurts, yes, I know it is hard BUT it must be done to be pleasing to the Lord, our Saviour. Isn't this what we want most in our lives IF we are truly a Christian, which means "Christlike."

This does not mean, I believe that we have to trust that person again, even believe them again, BUT, we must FORGIVE!

So, I can say that once I was that prisoner BUT I HAVE BEEN SET FREE. I pray that I never place myself in that prison that was of my own making again. Sometimes, it is harder than other times but He didn't tell us "forgive if it is easy", He said, "FORGIVE." He didn't tell us to forgive if we want to, He said FORGIVE. I choose to forgive and pray that others forgive me when I have offended them, whether I know or not. I want to be like Jesus in all His ways as much as I can. connie

10 Ways To Better Lead As A Pastor

Most pastors want to be a better leader. For me, it has become an obsession or sorts. I want to be the BEST pastor I can be. If I am to be a sharper tool in God's omnipotent hand, then I must allow my Lord to whet the edge of my leadership ability. Ultimately, it is God who makes the leader out of the pastor, but I want to do all that is humanly possible to be in the place for God to make the most out of me.

In the never ending quest for becoming a better leader one will find a plethora of so-called experts on the subject. Not one week goes by that I do not see an advertisement on my Facebook account trying to get me to go to some conference or buy some book on leadership. In spite of the large quantity of materials on the issue of being a better leader, it really comes down to a few simple things: (1) A teachable spirit; (2) Submission to the Holy Spirit; (3) A little bit of common sense.

(1 Timothy 4:12) "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (KJV)

Listed below are 10 suggestions for how to become a better leader as a pastor. May God use each of these to be  a blessing to you!

#1 - Great "leadership" starts with great "followship". 


Follow the Lord, follow your pastor, and follow godly men!

#2 - SEEK to be the leader God wants YOU to be.

Don't worry about being anything but what God desires you to be. Sometimes influential people have great plans for us, but not what God wants for us! Know the difference!

#3 - Be yourself.

God made you unique... so be unique! It can be one of your greatest Allies! 

#4 - Don't ask of others what you would not readily perform yourself.

There should never be a task "beneath" you. No matter how important you think yourself to be or how others think you to be, you are still a good candidate to clean the toilet bowl!

#5 - Seek balance in your leadership.

Balance is the key to a successful ministry. Don't be going to extremes all the time. Find out which way God is going and go with Him.

#6 - Don't exploit the mistakes and sins of others for personal gain and promotion.

The unfortunate blunders and circumstances that people get themselves into are not necessarily open range for you and I to graze upon. Some things are meant for us to see and learn from, not for the rest of the country to know about!

#7 - Lead, don't manipulate, drag and force.

Lead by example! Jesus would be the greatest picture of this. If you will lead, then people will follow! Let God do this work! 

#8 - Lead with confidence balanced by meekness and humbleness.

Know who you are, why you are here, where you are going, and how to get there, and you will be a good prospect for leadership! 

#9 - Emulate the positive aspects of other great leaders.

Every man is our teacher, so watch and listen!

#10 - Embrace difficulties, trials, and persecutions as CHALLENGES not problems.

Be solution oriented, not problem oriented. There is a difference and happy is the man who understands this!

Conclusion

There is no claim being made in this post that we have cornered the market on what it takes to be a great leader. The suggestions above have been very practical and helpful to our ministry. May they help you to become the great leader God desires you to be!

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Man of Sorrows What a Name......

Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

This is one of my most favorite hymns.  The words so deep and moving to those of us who are redeemed by our Savior's gift of salvation.  The music so fitting that it simply tears my heart when I hear or sing it.

(The following borrowed from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/a/halwasav.htm)
Words & Music: Phil­ip P. Bliss, in In­ter­na­tion­al Les­sons Month­ly, 1875.
Written…short­ly before his death, this was the last hymn I heard Mr. Bliss sing. It was at a meet­ing in Far­well Hall in Chi­ca­go [Il­li­nois], con­duct­ed by Hen­ry Moore­house. A few weeks be­fore his death Mr. Bliss vis­it­ed the State pri­son at Jack­son, Mi­chi­gan, where, af­ter a ve­ry touch­ing ad­dress on “The Man of Sor­rows,” he sang this hymn with great ef­fect. Ma­ny of the pri­son­ers dat­ed their con­ver­sion from that day.

When Mr. Moo­dy and I were in Par­is, hold­ing meet­ings in the old church which Na­pol­e­on had grant­ed to the Evan­gel­ic­als, I fre­quent­ly sang this hymn as a so­lo, ask­ing the con­gre­ga­tion to join in the sin­gle phrase, “Hal­le­lu­jah, what a Sav­iour,” which they did with splen­did ef­fect. It is said that the word “Hal­le­lu­jah” is the same in all lan­guag­es. It seems as though God had pre­pared it for the great ju­bi­lee of hea­ven, when all his child­ren shall have been ga­thered home to sing “Hal­le­lu­jah to the Lamb!”

A Compilation Of Remarks About Prayer For Every Pastor's Use

If you are like me, then you are always on the lookout for great axioms on prayer. From time to time I will come across some kernels of truth about this essential practice that seems to springboard my Christian walk. It is my hope that this list of 34 remarks on prayer will be of some use to you in your walk with God and as a leader in your local church.

34 Remarks On The Subject Of Prayer

#1 - The preacher’s best work is done on his knees.

#2 - If God did not intend to hear us, he would not bid us pray.

#3 - God does nothing but by prayer.

#4 - The right man, praying the right kind of prayer, will get the right kind of answer.

#5 - You don’t have to be talented to pray.

#6 - What is wrong with me is wrong with my prayer life.

#7 - Prayer is the key that opens and shuts heaven. (James 5:17-18)

#8 - The object of prayer is to move the arm of God.

#9 - The object of prayer is to get the ear of God.

#10 - The object of prayer is to get the answer.

#11 - Prayer is to the soul what breathing is to the body.

#12 - Until you pray, you can do nothing but pray.

#13 - We should pray specifically, seriously, and steadfastly.

#14 - Unbelief says, I see something in the hand of God, and I cannot get it.

#15 - Don’t treat prayer like a spare tire.

#16 - Very little of eternal importance is done apart from prayer.

#17 - Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies beyond the will of God.

#18 - The quickest way to get a church on its feet is to get it on its knees.

#19 - "What a man is, he is on his knees before God, and nothing more." - Robert Murray McCheyne

#20 - What comes from God in a promise should be sent back to Him in a prayer. (Revelation 22:20)

#21 - You can’t get a $10,000 answer to a 10-cent prayer.

#22 - Where I cannot go on my feet, I can go on my knees.

#23 - I am praying that God will make me:
   
     1. A victorious man
     2. A Spirit-filled man
     3. A man of prayer
     4. A man of the Word
     5. A surrendered man
     6. A man of one purpose
        - Oswald J. Smith

#24 - Five ingredients in prayer:
   
     1. Praise
     2. Thanks
     3. Confession
     4. Intercession
     5. Petition

#25 - The measure of your spiritual life is your prayer life.

#26 - I want God to hear me when I pray and men to hear me when I preach.

#27 - If you cannot go to God with a broken heart go to Him for one.

#28 - You are not going to reach the masses by great sermons. We must “move the arm that moves the world.” To do that, we must be clear and right before God. - D. L. Moody

#29 - A church is only as powerful as it is prayerful.

#30 - “Prayer pulls the rope, and the great bell rings above in the ear of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give but an occasional pluck at the rope; but he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continually with all his might.” - C. H. Spurgeon

#31 - The ministry of Christ reflected His prayer life.

#32 - Our ministry reflects our prayer life.

#33 - "Communion is the line that joins us to the battery of God’s power." - M. R. DeHaan

#34 - "He who would preach powerfully must pray effectively." - Dr. Oswald J. Smith

These remarks have been taken from the book A Manual For Young Pastors (And Older Ones Too) by Dr. Jim Phillips. Dr. Phillips has graciously given permission for The Working Pastor to use his material. Any quotes from here need to be given to Dr. Phillips. For those who would like a copy of this book simply contact Brother Phillips: Dr. Jim Phillips - 13 Darby Hill Lane Taylors, SC 29687 or call: 864-609-9431 The book is $17.00 and $3.00 S&H.

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Problems with Preterism

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Click here for my book.

Imagine if I told you that almost everything in Revelation has already happened, and that just about none of it is future?  What if told you that Jesus already has returned, and that right now we’re living in the Millennium?  What if I told you that Jesus Christ was ruling over this Earth, the way it is, and that the saints in Heaven are ruling with Him?

If I told you those things, I’d be a Preterist.  I am not a Preterist, I’m a Futurist.  I believe that most of Revelation is yet future, and I believe that because I take most of Revelation to be literal and mean exactly what it says.  

So how does a Preterist believe what he believes, and how does he get there?  Obviously I’m biased, but from my understanding here’s how it works: 

Jesus said in Revelation 1:3 that He was coming back very soon, and furthermore he stated in Matthew 24:34 that the generation that stood before Him would see all events in Matthew 24.  If you read Matthew 24, you’ll see that it ties in directly with much of Revelation, therefore much (if not all) of Revelation has already been fulfilled. 

Jesus said He was coming back in Matthew 24, and since we know Matthew 24 has been fulfilled Jesus has already returned, spiritually of course.  Following Christ’s return in Revelation 19, we see the next event being the Millennium; therefore we are now in the Millennium OR possibly even the New Heavens and New Earth.  Either way, the “great tribulation” that Christ spoke of in the Olivet Discourse was the events before, leading up to, and during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D, which is easily understood in light of Luke 21.

That’s how it works.  Preterism basically means “past,” and do you see why?  The whole idea of Preterism is that almost all prophesy, if not all (that would be full Preterism), has already been fulfilled.

Here are my problems with the teaching.....

Grace ! Grace !

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace God's grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace God's grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can we do to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace God's grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace, grace God's grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, grace, God's grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

WHEN SORROW WALKED WITH ME

THE THINGS I LEARN





"I walked a mile with Pleasure, she
chattered all the way,
Leaving me none the wiser, with all she had to say.

And I walked a mile with Sorrow,
Never a word said she;
But oh the things I learned from her,
When Sorrow walked with me."
r.b. hamilton


As I read this poem,I began to think on what it was saying. I knew that I understood down deep in my heart, what it had to say.

In this life when we are experiencing pleasure, it is fun for the time. It leaves us with happy moments to think upon as we recall the good times that we have had. But I can't think of one time that I truly learned anything really important during those times.

PLEASURE.....Desire; A state of gratification; Enjoyment; Sensual gratification; Frivolous amusement; A source of delight or joy.

There can be many good things that give us pleasure. To serve the Lord, my family, my friends, helping someone, etc.,these are things that give me great pleasure. There can also be wrong things that can give pleasure to people. At the time, it may feel good, even give some happiness and joy.The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:25 when it speaks of Moses when he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, it uses the phrase, "to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Moses choose to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the 'Pleasures' of sin for a season.

So we see, that even though a 'pleasure' can be a sin, it can give pleasure.

SORROW.....Sadness or anguish due to a loss; A cause of grief or sadness; Contrition, repentance

If we are of any age at all, we have all suffered sorrow to some degree. We feel very sad and can feel great unhappiness. As a Christian even though we have had these times of sadness and sorrow, we can have joy in our hearts, knowing to whom we belong. Knowing that our "days are as a tale that is told," here on this earth.

The longer we have lived, we learn that this too shall pass. It is never an easy thing to go through sorrow. But I HAVE LEARNED THAT IT IS IN THESE TIMES,THESE TIMES OF GRIEF AND SORROW, THAT HAVE BROUGHT ME THE MOST GROWTH AS A PERSON AND ESPECIALLY AS A CHRISTIN AS I SEE GOD WORK THINGS OUT TO MY GOOD. Anything in my life that I have said, "I could never go through that!" I have, and God has brought me through them in such a loving way. They have each pointed my heart more toward Him. I know that there are things that I will go through in my days ahead, such as, should my husband go before me, the loss of one of my children , that my heart says, I don't think I could make it through such things. But because He has brought me through, so many other things in my life, I know without a doubt (even though, it is not clear to me,how?) that He would carry me through these things as well.

I do realize that I would not be who I am today had I not suffered sorrow, grief, pain in my life. I would still be a very immature, selfish person caring mostly about "me."

C0ntrite repentance, I don't want to leave that out of this post. For the Christian it is one of the most important parts of our Christian life. Because we are sinners even though we have been saved by the blood that Jesus shed for us all, we have to have that contrite repentance in our lives. We live, we sin, that is why we needed a Saviour to pay the debt for sin that was owed. We have to have that repentance so that our fellowship can be restored with God when we do sin. Our God is Holy and He can not nor will He look upon sin. But when we pray and asked for forgiveness in a real and sincere way, 1John 1:9 tells us "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS." He will forgive us our sins. It says in the verse right before this one that "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." WE ARE ALL SINNERS, EITHER SAVED SINNERS WHO HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS' BLOOD AS OUR SIN PAYMENT OR WE ARE LOST SINNERS ON THE WAY TO A PLACE CALLED HELL. It does not have to be that way for you lost sinner.

So enjoy the good pleasures, yet don't put them before the Lord and make them your "Idols", therefore they become sin to us. But don't hate the "sorrow" that comes into your life either. When it comes, take it out and look at it, see what has brought it and then thank the Lord that He loves you. When you are ready, pick up your life and continue on with forgiveness and to what God has made of you through it all. Use that life for Him. Love and honor Him. He made us, He has the right to do with us as He wants. He made the rule book. If you have a King James Bible in your hand then you have all the rules, that will only make your life better and good. He made us, He knows the way that is best for us. If we choose to make our own rules and way then we will only have a life with out joy or peace to look forward to.

If your heart is breaking today with sorrow, heartache and grief.If you feel your life has lost its meaning and that all the good days are behind you, that is the devil doing the talking. With God, He makes all things new! Even the things that are broken and seem lost forever, it can give you more than your ever even thought to desire. So today, my friend, look up, your help is with the Lord!!connie


P.S. I heard a preacher quote something that went like this a few nights ago, "To have only sunshine, you get only a desert." Into our lives there must come the sorrow as well as the sunshine to make us into what we need to be.

What A Name

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Ten Simple Rules For Dating My Daughter

Click here to see my book's promo page


Someone sent this to me awhile ago, and I thought it was pretty good.

It’s a good start.

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TEN SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING MY DAUGHTER

Rule One:

If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:

You do not touch my daughter. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:

I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys your age to wear their trousers so loose that they appear to be falling off. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during your date with my daughter, I will use my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely to your waist.

Rule Four:

I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

New Song of the Month, Lyrics

Lord, change my heart,
Purify and renew,
Please make me something
Useful to you;
That thirsty men would draw from this Spring
And drink life everlasting.

Strip away selfishness,
Purge us of all pride,
Cause our comfort to
Come from You,
Give us faith to forget all our fears.

Lord, Change My Heart (Please Make Me Something Useful To You) - http://www.godlychristianmusic.com/music/play2.aspx?id=173&type=song.mp3 This website has original songs from singer/songwriters. You have to weed through them, but there are many very nice songs to choose from. They have some really cute kid's songs and teen choruses. I am always looking for new songs to sing in church that others may have never heard of. There are also a lot of scripture songs, but be aware, not all use the KJV.

The Prodigal Son - The Response Of Grace

The demand, need, and desire for grace is for nought unless we have some confidence about the response of grace.  It is here in Luke 15:20-24 we make note of the response of grace, and it is glorious!

Verse 20 brings to our attention the reception of grace.  It begins with the son acting upon what he had determined to do.  "And he arose and came to his Father."  He didn’t just think about taking action, he did take action.  He returned to the very place where it had all went wrong.

While he headed in that direction he was not able to make it all the way before grace restores.  "But when he was yet a great way off."  He did not make it all the way back to the house.  "His father saw him."  It makes one think he was looking for him.  Grace is always looking and hoping for restoration.  Grace anticipates restoration.

The response of the Father is grand and glorious, "And had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."  He assumed by his return that it was for restoration.  If he had been returning for more he likely would have been disappointed.  He was returning for less.  He had come home!

He smelled worse than ever.
He was humiliated.
He was in rags.
He was a physical shell of what he had once been.

He returned and grace received. 

In verse 21 we are afforded the opportunity to marvel at the recognition of grace.  The son stated his understanding of the situation just as he had rehearsed.  The gracious reception by his father probably made him realize even more how unworthy he was.  He was not returning as a son, but as a supplicant seeking employment as a servant.  As you will note he does not have a chance to speak the latter part of his resolve, “make me as one of thy hired servants.”

Then in verse 22 we see grace doing what it does best: Restoring!
"But"  What an important word in Scripture!  It is this very word that allows us to pivot from the desire for grace to the response of grace.  Not being worthy is the perfect opportunity for grace.  He did not return to be a son, but a servant.  His father cut him off in mid sentence.

"The father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe and put it on him."
The best robe for the worst of sons!  Grace!
Cover his shame and destitute state!  Grace!

"And put a ring on his hand."
Ornamenting the hand that had been lifted up in rebellion against God and his Father!  Grace!
Adorning the hand that had held the wine glass and embraced the harlot!  Grace!
Beautifying the hand that had fed the swine!  Grace!

"And shoes on his feet."
Restore his dignity.  Grace

Then finally in verses 23 and 24 we relish in the rejoicing of grace.

"And bring hither the fatted calf and kill it: and let us eat it, and be merry."
Remove his remorse!  Grace!
Restore his joy!  Grace!
Supply his need!  Grace!

"For this my son was dead."  This tells us how the father viewed him.  The alienation because of the boy’s rebellion was thorough.

"And is alive again."  This tells us how the father viewed him.  The restoration because of the boy’s repentance was thorough.

"He was lost, and is found."  We always rejoice when we find lost things.  Was lost, past tense.  Is found, present tense.  He is not what he was!  Grace!

"And they began to be merry."  This is a good and proper expression at the response of GRACE!

The Key to Finishing Well

No one can deny that Solomon struck gold when he asked God for wisdom.  I Kings 3:5-15 tells the story of Solomon starting out extremely well; God not only gave him wisdom, but riches and honor.  What a great start to his reign!  God even said if he kept the ways of his father, King David, he would get a long life, too!

Well... then chapter eleven happened.  In I Kings 11:1-6 King Solomon starts doing the big no-no's: multiple wives!  Even worse, they influenced him for the worst (I Kings 11:7-8).  Notice verses 9-11:

⁹And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

 ¹⁰And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

 ¹¹Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

I'm no genius, but it looks to me like God was no longer impressed by Solomon's glorious beginning.  But he started out so well!  He asked God for wisdom when he could've asked for anything!  He was David's son and was surely destined for success.  He had received divine favor from God and a promising future in His service.

We are quick to scold King Solomon, yet when was the last time we started on a project but failed miserably?  Being a junior in college, I'm beginning to see why so many drop out, get dismissed, give up, don't come back, or play around with trouble one too many times.  College is not for the faint at heart!  Looking through my first yearbook, I can point to almost half of my freshman class and say, "They started out strong, but didn't even finish."

If you're up for a challenge, live a life of obedience to God.  I'm not even going to lie -- it is hard.  However, will that excuse really work when we stand before Christ after we die?  What do you think Solomon had to say when he met his Maker?  "Lord, I'm really sorry, but it was too hard.  I couldn't resist all those pretty Egyptians and Ammonites."  Do you think God told him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"?

Making sure we finish well starts with decisions we make today.  Solomon could've kept going strong by saying "no" to the first foreign woman who batted her eyes at him.  Every wrong decision we make takes us one step further away from God's will, until we're so far off the path we don't even know how we got there.  React to each unwise choice like Solomon should have reacted to each woman of the Moabites, Ammonites, and Hittites.

The old Solomon was never the same spiritually vibrant man he once was, and in his own words, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2).  Every choice you make today affects your future.  In college, you cannot expect to get an A in a class if you never study for the tests.  In a car race, you cannot expect to finish if you never make pit stops.  If life, you cannot expect a "Well done" if you cut corners, mess with trouble, or don't finish what you start.

The key to finishing well is doing well today.  If we resolve to do that every day, we will live our whole lives in obedience to God's will.  "Waste not time; for time is the stuff that life is made of" (Benjamin Franklin).  Yes, daily dying to self can be hard, but it's so much easier than wasting many precious years and trying to pick up the pieces.  Find your strength in the Lord, and you will never lack the strength to finish well!

Denying Jesus Christ?

Mt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Mt 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Mt 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

Mt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Mt 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mt 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Mt 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

The Prodigal Son - The Desire For Grace

In verses 14-16 we had considered the need for grace.  Fortunately for the prodigal son the need for grace resulted in the desire for grace in verses 17-19.
Verse 17 we discover the return of reason.  "And when he came to himself."  He repented.  He had been wrong.  It has cost him immensely.  "He said, how many hired servants of my Father’s have bread enough and to spare."  The servants were now living better than the son.

"And I perish with hunger!"  He realizes his utter desperation and the destitute condition to which he had fallen.  It need not be this way.  Having come to himself he believed his father would have mercy and extend grace!

The return of reason prompted a determined action in verse 18.  "I will arise and go to my father."  He determined to go to his Father because he heard the voice of his father.  I will return.  I will move in the other direction.

He rehearsed his words, "And will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee."  This is quite a contrast to his last recorded words to his Father in verse 12, "Father give me the portion of goods that falleth unto me."  His sin was against heaven and before his father.  His father had seen him disobey God.

A humble spirit develops in this arrogant, rebellious son in verse 19.  His words reflect the sincerity and depth of his humility, "And am no more worthy to be called thy son."  This is so true!  He was no longer worthy.  He had troubled his father.  He had disrespected his father.  He had anguished his father.  He had discounted his father.  It is precisely because he was no longer worthy that the stage has been set for an expression of GRACE!

The humility is complete, "Make me as one of thy hired servants" he would say to his father.  He would not request to be restored to full honor.  He simply wanted to be numbered among the servants.  True repentance is willing to bear the consequences of sin.  Repentance does not demand it implores.

Here was a young man who, having been cast down from the high status that accompanies much money to the low station of feeding and feasting with pigs has finally brought his heart in line with his reality!  He is low, he now recognizes it and he starts to ponder GRACE!

GOD JUST DON'T NEED OUR HELP~ ~ ~ ~

GOD JUST DON'T NEED OUR HELP......

ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A BUTTERFLY




GOD DON'T NEED ANY HELP




LET GOD DO HIS WORK WITH THE COCOON SO COME A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY~ ~ ~



"A man found a cocoon of a butterfly, and he brought it home. One day, a small opening appeared in the cocoon.

The man sat and watched the cocoon for several hours as the butterfly struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if the butterfly had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no farther.

The man decided to help the butterfly in its struggle. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon...

and the butterfly emerged easily.

As the butterfly emerged, the man was surprised. It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly expecting that, at any moment, the wings would dry out, enlarge, and expand to support the swollen body. He knew that in time the body would contract, and the butterfly would be able to fly...

but neither happened!

In fact, the butterfly spend the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle were required for the butterfly to be able to fly.

The butterfly must push its way through the tiny opening to force the fluid from its body and wings. Only by struggling through the opening can the butterfly's wings be ready for flight once it emerges from the cocoon." copied


I am learning that God just don't need our help. We can pray and trust that God is working out things for our good or the good of others.Those things we should do. As a wife, Mom, Sister, sometimes I just felt if I did not help God out then it just wouldn't be done. Well, what a foolish attitude to have. OUR GOD DOESN'T NEED ANY HELP!!

He sends troubles, trials and problems in our lives and the lives of others at times to cause us or them to grow and become more like Him.

Oh, we may stand by and watch, our heart breaking, tears running down our eyes because "They keep not thy law." But, where there is a Spiritual problem, God is the answer, not me and not you. Those we care about MUST drop their pride, confess their sins to God and then they can have peace and joy again in their lives. They may deny their need, refuse to see their need but it is the answer! People may go on in their misery, with troubled hearts and minds or they can give up and let God do a work in their lives.

If we like the man in the story above, try to make fixes in their lives, they will if any, only help for a short while. They will probably cause more damage to their lives. It will certainly take much longer for the change that God desires to bring about, to take place.

It is so hard to just stand by and watch.......but we want the BEST for those we love don't we? God is the best, He knows what is best and only He knows what He is trying to accomplish in a life or the life of another who is looking on.

Just thought I would share this with you all since it has been a lesson that was hard for me to learn. I hope and pray if you find yourself here, that it is an easier lesson for you to learn. The burdens will be fewer,the heartaches easier to bear when we just give it all the Lord. connie

The Prodigal Son - The Need For Grace

In the previous post we considered the demand for grace as the younger of two sons demanded his inheritance and we learned that he departed into a far country and wasted his substance with riotous living.  In Luke 15:14-16 we discover in the parable of the prodigal son, the need for grace.


It begins in verse 14 with a worsening condition.  Jesus relates his circumstances by saying, "When he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in the land."  What he could not longer buy he could also no longer cultivate!  This left the young man in dire straits.  The scripture characterizes it as, "and he began to be in want."  His circumstances were become critical.

It is likely that his Father had some awareness of his condition.  They knew he had spent his substance on harlots.  While he did not likely know the details he likely realized the direction.  He did not send him money.  He did not send him food.  His greatest kindness was to let him suffer the consequences of his wickedness that he might be turned to God.  Even this was an act of principled grace because it was not with an eye to destroy him but to deliver him.  It simply would not have been an act of grace to support him in his prodigal state thus certainly prolonging if not completely ruining any tendency to repentance.

His rebellion has left him reeling!

In verse 15 he was confronted with a religious reminder.  He was sent to feed swine.  Animals considered unclean by the Jews.  Every day forced to think about what he had come to.  Here he was feeding pigs.

Verse 16 reveals the darkness of his desperation.  The Bible says, "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat."  Now not just feeding the swine but feasting with them!  We ought not be surprised how low arrogant, stubborn rebellion will take a person.  I would rather eat pig slop than admit wrong!  Young people certainly do not relish the thought of having to acknowledge Dad was right.  After all, he had been so wrong!

His dark hour becomes even darker as the Bible explains, "and no man gave unto him."  He was feeding and eating with pigs.  He had lost all esteem among men.   No one wanted anything to do with him now.  Where were his drinking buddies?  Where were the women that once fawned over him?  His fellow creatures looked on him with disgust.

He stunk.
He was physically decimated.
His clothes were tattered and torn.
His expression was forlorn.

He had managed to work himself all the way to the bottom!  He found himself in need of GRACE!

P-R-I-D-E

During a recent conversation with a friend, I offered to help her get some of her housework done.  She's been busy preparing for the arrival of her third child.  With two little ones underfoot, she really has her hands full.  When I told her that I could come over to help, she replied, "Thanks, but I'd probably kill myself before I'd let you come over to help me."  We laughed about that comment and I really understood her feeling because I am like that and have been like that all my life.  I'm what you would call an "introvert".  I've always been shy and distant with others.

Before I proceed any further, I'd like to state that I do not believe that the friend I mentioned has a selfish or prideful bone in her body!  Having said that, after we had that conversation, I began to ponder why people were like that....meaning me!  Why am I like that?  Why do people (me) not speak to visitors that come to church and make them feel welcome?  Why do people (me) have very few people that they will actually talk to?  Why do people (me) not actively participate in church functions and activities?  Why are people (me) not hospitable?  Why do people (me) worry about what others think/say about them?

I've pondered these questions before and I hate to admit it, but I always come up with the same conclusion.  Granted, this is not ALWAYS the case, but for the most part, I think the answer is PRIDE.  The focus, though we feign humility, is totally on SELF.  How does this affect me?  How do I feel about this?  What do they think about me?  In my OWN opinion, shyness and timidity are nothing more than P-R-I-D-E.  OUCH!  Did I hurt anyone by saying that?  Oh, it sure hurts me!  So, once we figure out the problem, what can we do about it?  Before you say I'm being too hard on myself, the folks who are "extroverts" have the same problem.  We all need the balance that can be found when we focus solely on Christ.  When you crave the attention for yourself and have to be the center of everything, that is pride.  Rule of thumb:  When the focus is on you, you have pride.  I believe it is ingrained in all of us because we are all sinners.  God has really helped me with this and I want to share some things with you that have helped me.

There is a sermon that is by Dr. Jim Schettler called, How To Defeat Pride.  I've obtained permission from Brother Jim to share his points from the sermon here with you.  If you get the chance, listen to the sermon.  It's one of those "life-changing" sermons!

"To defeat pride, you must humble yourself to get God's grace in your life." (I Peter 5:6; 2 Chron. 34:26-28; 2 Chron. 7:14; Prov. 6:3; Jer. 13:18; Mt. 18:4; Mt. 23:12; James 4:10)

How To Humble Yourself:
1.  Do not destroy others.  (I Sam. 18~Saul became jealous and tried to tear David down to make himself look better.)  Did you see how they were dressed?  Did you hear what they listen to?  Did you hear what their kid did?  *Indicator that we are destroying others: Jealousy
2.  Do not depend on self.  (Judges 16~Sampson didn't know God's power was gone because he had begun depending on himself.)  We do this in many areas of life like teaching, preaching, marriage, and parenting.  You must depend on Christ, not self.  *Indicator that we are depending on self:  Prayerlessness (Dan. 9:13)
3.  Do not demand your rights.  (I Kings 21~Ahab was encouraged by Jezebel to demand his rights and take Naboth's vineyard.)  *Indicator that we have not given up our rights:  Anger and/or pouting about not getting our own way
4.  Do not deceive yourself.  (Gal. 6:3)  *Don't compare yourself with others.  "I do this and they don't."  *Don't think that past victories were by your ability.  "That must have been by my skills."  *Don't think that knowing right is doing right.  "The more right you know, the more you have to handle that in a very humble way.  If you know more truth than someone else, speak the truth in love."  Many know what's right, but that doesn't mean they are living what's right.
5.  Do not dodge waiting.  (Joshua 6-8~Achan didn't wait for the spoils from Ai.)  Things don't happen when we want them to and we get impatient and try to "fix" them ourselves.  *Indicator that we are dodging waiting:  Impatience
6.  Do not declare your acheivements.  (Dan. 4:30-21~Nebuchadnezzar had to be brought down by God.)  "It's amazing what can be accomplished when we don't care who gets the credit as long as God gets the glory."
7.  Do not desire pleasures.  (Mark 8:34,36; Lot~he didn't think of Abraham first, but only of himself.  He took the "well watered plains of Sodom" because he desired pleasure.)  You humble yourself by denying yourself fleshly pleasures.
8.  Do not delay in repenting.  (Pharoah wanted to wait "one more night" before Moses got rid of the frogs.)  We do that when we say, "Yes, I do have pride and I need to get that taken care of.  I'll do it later."
9.  Do not defend yourself.  (Prov. 13:10)  "The person who will not receive correction and debates and argues everything is defending their own rights and they are full of pride."  *Indicator that we defend ourselves:  Constant contention with others and will not receive correction

I know this has been a long post, but I pray you will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.  He will help you get the victory in this area.  It is God's will for you to live the Christian life victoriously!

Skeptics, Spectators, and Servants

Skeptics, Spectators, and Servants
By Cary Schmidt (published by permission)

In John 11, the amazing story of the raising of Lazarus unfolds. Not long ago, I was studying this passage and it occurred to me that there were three distinct groups of people at this resurrection, and those groups are still pretty much “alive and kicking” in today’s local churches.

Picture the scene—Jesus has waited for Mary outside of town, and “the Jews” have followed her, weeping (John 11:32-33), as she goes to meet Him. Then together they go to Lazarus’ grave, and the Jews follow. In the next few moments an unbelievable miracle occurs—Jesus raises a man from the dead! And in the midst of this amazing event, we see three groups:

First, meet the skeptics (11:46)—amazingly, these were people who, though a man was just raised from the dead, all they could do was run to the pharisees to stir up trouble! When I read that verse, I want to scream at them, “Are you kidding me?! What are you insane?! A man was just resurrected! Are we living on the same planet here?” Plainly, these people were nuts—absolutely disconnected and dysfunctional in every way.

Skeptics. They are everywhere, and no matter what happens, they just can’t accept truth. In modern ministry, these are the people standing in the shadows, arms folded, sporting an obviously cynical attitude—no matter whose life is changing! They are self-appointed, self-righteous cynics who set out in any endeavor to doubt and question the actions and motives of others. They are professional murmurers whose built-in paradigm paints everything in a negative light, regardless of how pure or true it may be. Skeptics never participate in God’s work. They just tag along with those who do, so they can criticize them later.

Second, meet the spectators (11:33, 11:45)—at the same scene were Jews, friends of Mary and Martha, who were not yet followers of Jesus. But they were curious about Him. They followed Mary to meet Him. They watched as He spoke with Mary. They even commented and speculated as to what Jesus was saying and how He was feeling. And a few moments later, they saw the miracle and finally believed!

In modern ministry, these are the people standing on the sidelines without an attitude or negative paradigm. They are intrigued—curious. They are interested in what’s happening. They are still evaluating. They like the excitement of a growing church, a dynamic environment, or an energetic group of joyful people. But they are not participating—yet! (Emphasis on yet.) For now they are just watching. Spectators don’t have any ill-will. They aren’t an enemy. Sometimes they are just a bit fearful or hesitant to take a risk, make the sacrifice, commit to a decision, or really “get involved.”

Spectators are inviting you to convince them—to win them. They are looking for a compelling reason to believe. They are waiting to see if you are for real. And notice that Jesus didn’t chase them off. Quite the opposite. The whole miracle was for these people, that they might believe (11:42). Don’t be a spectator hater. Just patiently help them see and believe. And be patient. Sometimes it takes time.

Finally, meet the servants (11:41)—somebody moved the stone. The Bible says, “they.” I don’t know who “they” were, but I sure like them! They weren’t skeptical, and they weren’t spectating. They were obedient. They stepped up, heard Jesus’ seemingly nonsensical command to “take away the stone,” and they just did what He said! Amazing! What faith. What hearts. What simple, servant-hearted people.

In modern ministry, these are the people fully engaged in the work of God. They are immersed in the ministry, the effort, or the energy in motion—simply because they love the Lord and want to obey Him. They are gladly giving of themselves and willingly expending themselves in faith. They are engaged in serving so that others around them might believe. They are up earlier, awake longer, working harder, and loving every minute of it! They relish not just seeing God work, but actually participating in God’s work! They don’t want to criticize a great work. They refuse to just watch a great work—they have to be in the work! They are addicted to the ministry. (1 Corinthians 16:15)

Simple question—who are you? Are you a skeptic? A spectator? Or a servant? When you are found in the midst of a ministry miracle, which group do you join? Are you standing in the shadows, arms folded, sporting a scowl and eager to run to your lair to pick it apart? Are you watching on the sidelines with curiosity and intrigue, not quite sure you believe? Or are you rolling up your sleeves to join the guys who are moving the stone?

As for me—I don’t want to live my life in the critic’s lair or on the spectator’s sideline. I want God to thrust me into the action of authentic ministry! Let me be one of the guys that moves the stone so that others might see God’s miracles and believe! http://www.caryschmidt.com/