S. Truett Cathy - A Tribute

Even though the media has for the most part ignored the passing of this Godly man of integrity that is a true hero, I encourage you to share this post because real hero's, real men, MEN WHO HONOR GOD (on Whom this country was founded) deserve to be honored even though our media would rather focus on ruining and controlling people's lives. Thank you S. Truett Cathy for showing us ALL how to love and how to live!


Click the link below to watch the moving tribute narrated by his own son Dan.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evmCQFN6MuM&feature=youtu.be

Trust, Try, and He will prove Faithful!

God WILL make a way where there seems to be no way.  However, and perhaps the hardest thing to do is to TRUST that His ways are best and that He always has our best interest in mind.  The real question for today, this week, that trial you're going through is this: "Will you trust Him?"  Will you let go and let Him have His way?  We want control. In fact, it is our very nature to want to control in every aspect of our lives.  But the key here is...Surrender.  The old hymn doesn't say, "I surrender 75%..." It says, "I surrender ALL!"  Remember, God is always faithful in what is BEST (key word "best") for us.  So trust, try, and He WILL always prove faithful!
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) - “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

God's Not Dead! & Neither Are You!

Alright, first of all read these 10 verses.  Yes, you can do it I promise...

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT)

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. ² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. ³ All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) ⁶ For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ⁷ So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.


Good job reading! Good stuff huh?  Anyway, here are 3 points based on the above scripture that you need to keep in mind today and everyday.


1.  Apart from God and His gift of grace in allowing His Son Jesus Christ to pay our sin penalty (which is death) you and I have no hope. None, no, nada!  Very sad, but...


2. BUT GOD! And it's a BIG "BUT" (see verse 4). But, because God loves YOU and I so much, He, in spite of the fact that He knew we deserved death because of our sin, in spite of the fact that He knew we would continue to sin, in spite of the fact that we deserve absolutely none of His grace or love, He (GOD) poured out His love and grace on us anyway because HE LOVES US THAT MUCH!!  He just does! And the scripture tells us that nothing can ever separate us from His love.  Nothing you did, can ever do, nothing from your past, nothing that the devil wants to make you believe is unforgiveable, no nothing is beyond His love for us!! It's an incredible, incomprehensible love!


3. God's grace is what saves us and there is nothing we can do about it.  In other words, we are saved by what He did for us and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation.  All we have to do is accept His sacrifice on our behalf in faith. His grace covers our sins, our failures, our mess ups, our screw ups each and every day.  And no matter how much we mess up His love and grace never changes.  He is always consistent, always forgiving, always offering a fresh start.


So what's the bottom line?  Quit living in defeat and live in God's love and grace.  Live forgiven.  Live like you believe He offers new mercies every day, and never ever let Satan convince you that you've done too much, so much, to somehow have fallen out of His grace and love for you.  It simply can't be done because we didn't earn it (grace).  It is a free gift and it is there waiting for you and I to live in it like we believe it each and every day.  So live in His grace, take comfort in His love.  He's already paid the price so you and I can live each day in victory no matter what comes out way. 


God's not dead and neither are you if you are in Christ!  Live like it!


PCW

Depression, Robin Williams, and Love

A daily struggle with depression and/or anxiety plagues nearly 1 in every 5 people you and I come in contact with each and every day. It could be your mother, your friend, a coworker, a spouse, your child, the person at the cash register at Wal-Mart, or any number of persons you come in  contact with on a daily basis.  The bottom line: depression is as real a sickness as cancer or heart disease and we need to see it as so. 
Jesus has called you and I to love.  To love God, and love others.  How you love or don't love "someone" today could be the difference maker as to whether they feel hopeless or hopeful.  I truly believe that our busyness, our haste, our noses stuck in our smart phones, and our cultures focus on "self" has led to the epidemic we are now witnessing where more people than ever before are on anti-depressants and find themselves sinking deeper in despair as they search for hope.  Ultimately, hope can only be found in one place, in one person, that being our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Christ doesn't promise us happiness, but He does promise us hope and even contentment (see Philippians 4:10-15) that goes well beyond this world. 
The death of Robin Williams is nothing less than tragic.  However, let's not allow it to be in vain; instead let it serve as a reminder of our need to love others.  Our need to put aside self and genuinely love those we come in contact with everyday.  Perhaps even someone you don't know.   A friendly "hello", or "how are you?", or "how was your day?", or how about a listening ear that can go a long way to showing someone we genuinely care.  Depression is real and there will be some that no matter what we do we cannot "save" them from the miry depths of this disease.  However, we can try.  We can love.  That's what Jesus would do, and that's what I believe we should do as well.
1 Corinthians 13:13 - Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Rock Bottom? Part 2

As my day as progressed I realized an important thing that I needed to add to the first part of my blog post "Rock Bottom"...


I truly believe that God allows us to at times hit rock bottom or our "lowest low" because only there... only in this most desperate of places will we totally... I mean 110% depend on Him.  Again, I should know because it took that for me.  God had to bring me to the place to where I had no choice but to see Him for all that He is so that I would begin to become all that He has for me to be.  Oh, and BTW... I am still very much a work in progress.


Some children will touch the hot stove, burn their finger, and never reach for the stove again.  Others, will touch the stove, burn their finger, but will have to touch it again as if to see if the stove was really hot?!  Of course it's hot!  But for some reason they didn't get the message the first time... or maybe the second... third... or nineteenth??!


Sometimes... some of us have to have our hand held to the burner for what can be a painful period before we learn to never touch the hot stove again.


God loves you. God loves you!  He loves you so much that He allowed His One and only Son Jesus Christ to face the ultimate lowest low and be spat on, mocked, cursed, hung naked for thousands to see, beaten, and ultimately crucified to death on the cross so that you and I would never have to face the ultimate lowest low which is death and eternal separation from God because of our sin, our rebellion.  No matter how low we get... no matter how wild the storm... no matter how fierce the battle... no matter what comes against us, nothing, no NOTHING can ever separate us from the love of God.  Love the will sometimes brings us to our lowest low just so that we see Christ for all that He is...


Two passages of scripture come to my mind...


Romans 8:35-39 (NLT) - Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Hebrews 12:7-11 (NLT) - As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? ⁸ If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. ⁹ Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

¹⁰ For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Writing as He inspires,


PCW

Rock Bottom? Part 1

You may think you've reached your "lowest low"... But,  unless you've gotten to the place of lowliness where all you see... your only Hope... your only friend... the only one still standing beside you is God... you still have a ways to go.  How do I know?  I've been there, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Because at my darkest place I saw His light!  In my loneliness I felt His comfort. In my brokenness I found His healing.

No, you've not reached you're lowest low as long as that drink, that drug, that person who enables you, that sin that controls you, that part of you you're still holding onto, that thing that has become a wall in your life, that thing that separates you from God, is still there.  

You don't have to tell me about rock bottom, I've been there and I will never forget it.  Yet it was there at the bottom that I found grace, forgiveness, and ultimately God.  And because He was there when all else, and everyone else failed, I will forever be eternally grateful!

Romans 5:8 - God demonstrated his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

PCW

"MY Church is better than YOUR Church"!

Really??  Do you really think your church is the BEST CHURCH??

Well, ok, you like the “church” you attend and that's great!  But here's the deal... THE CHURCH is not one particular "gathering congregation"... THE CHURCH is THE BODY OF CHRIST!  In other words, “THE CHURCH” are people who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ sacrifice on our behalf.  Look with me at Ephesians 4:4-6...

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

“The Church” is the Body of Christ and although we may do some things differently, we are all ONE BODY if we are in Christ.  “’Well, I don’t like THAT church because they do those contemporary praise songs’.  ‘Personally, I prefer singing out of the hymnal’”.  Ok, that’s great!  I prefer driving a truck over a sedan but either one can get me from Point A to Point B.  In other words, although they are different vehicles, they both are capable of getting you to the same location.  Bottom line: Every church in and around our area does something different, something better, or maybe even something worse than the church down the street.  What truly matters is WHO is at the center of the WHAT and WHY of what we do.  If Christ is the center of our congregational gatherings, and our desire is to see Him glorified and others come to know Him as Savior and Lord, that’s really all that matters.

Many if not most of our churches in rural America are declining and or dying because we are focusing on the wrong things. Truth be told, many of us are so inwardly focused and worried about protecting “who we have been” that we don’t even realize that it really won’t matter because no one will be there in the future to keep doing what we “died on a hill” to do.  Change and progress are inevitable. Ignoring change will eventually bring death; recognizing the need for change might just bring a dying church back to life.

Folks, it’s time to put down our guards, be willing to cross denominational lines and work together to fulfill the “Great Commission” that God has called ALL of us who are in Christ to be a part of.  We are not in competition, or at least we shouldn’t be.  We are stronger, even better when we work together!  This “next” generation is watching our every move and trying to decide if what we have is real and worth having.  When they look at us and see Christ as our top priority… not a building, denomination, or affiliation, that’s when we will see revival in the land!

This land… this town… this fertile field is where God has called you and I to work the harvest. The harvest is plentiful and the workers need to get to work!

Pastor Christian Watts

http://christianwatts.org

Are Church Plants a threat to existing churches?

No!  In fact, we need to educate people across denominational lines of the importance and necessity of church planting.  Many people might say, "Why do we need a church plant?  There's already a church on every corner.  We just need to get more people in them".

Yes, there are a lot of churches out there but sadly most are declining and/or dying because truth be told they either don't want to do what is needed to reach the unchurched; they don't want to change "who they are" to meet the unchurched "where they are"; they don't know how to reach the unchurched (although the Bibles gives clear directions regarding this);  or they actually believe they are "reaching" the unchurched just by being there. 

Folks, the days of "Here we are, come and join us" are long gone!  IF WE WANT TO REACH THE UNCHURCHED AND IN DOING SO FULFILL THE "GREAT COMMISSION" WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES AND "GO"!  And I'm not talking about overseas or on a short term mission trip, I'm talking about our own neighborhoods, cities, and towns. Many churches do a great job of reaching people "out there" but where we really need to focus our ministry is "right here".  We must step out from our big buildings and get our hands and feet dirty on a daily basis if we genuinely want to see people come to know the Hope that is Christ.  That's the facts as recorded in scripture.  I'm just the messenger.

So many startling statistics clearly show us that church plants are needed and that they do work. An example: "One study revealed established Southern Baptist churches baptized 3.4 people per 100 resident members, while new churches baptized 11.7". THAT'S HUGE!! Church plants are reaching the unchurched because church planters and their congregants meet people where they are, they don't ask or expect people to come to them.  And they relate to them, by being honest, transparent, and by saying things such as "If not for the grace of God there go I".  They don't pretend to be something they're not, they simply take off the "church" mask and point people to the Hope they have... JESUS!

Not everyone is called to plant a church or to serve a church plant, but everyone can and should be involved.  Prayer, local congregational support, and financial support are needed for most if not all church plants and church planters.

Church planting is not a threat; it's an opportunity!  An opportunity to see more people come to know the Hope that is Jesus Christ!  Now, who that is "in Christ" (a Christian) wouldn't want to do or support that?

I encourage you to take a minute to educate yourself regarding church planting if you aren't already.  Here are a few of several websites that can do just that.

NAMB.net

Acts29Network.org

Exponential.org

ChurchPlanters.com

SendNetwork.com

ArcChurches.com

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit".

Blessings,

PCW

#churchplanting

#churchplant

#churchplanter

10 things I've Learned Since Becoming a Dad

1. I'm more like my own father than I ever realized.

2. My kids look up to me and need me to be proud of them.

3. Telling my kids what I did wrong at their age doesn't always deter them from making similar mistakes.

4. There are some stupid things I did in the past that are better that my kids don't know about.

5. No one will ever be good enough for my daughter.

6. I want my children to have everything I never had and more.

7. I would do anything to protect my children although I can't always do so. 

8. I want to be a great dad but I am well aware I oftentimes fall short.

9. My kids are genuinely great kids and I am honored to be their dad.

10. The greatest thing I can ever teach my children is how much Christ loves me and how much I love Christ.

I can think of many other things but I have to stop at 10 because of the title I created when I started this list.

Christian Dad Watts

What do you do when God tells you to build an ark?

When God tells you to build an ark, you build an ark!  Some will question your sanity, others will question your motives...

Some will ask questions like, "Is this really necessary?", "How can you afford the necessary tools, wood, and laborers?".  

Some will even question whether you really heard from God.  Others will laugh at you, make fun of you, even scorn you for what you truly believe God has called you to do.  

However, when God calls you to build an ark, you build an ark!

You may even find yourself questioning God.  Questions like: God, are you sure about this?  I mean, if this is the right thing to do, why is everyone mocking my name, making fun of me, calling me crazy, telling me that there's no need for such a vessel??

In these moments, it all comes down to this: Who do I trust more, God or man?

When God tells you to build an ark, you build an ark!

Why? Because one day the rains will come, and when it does people will no longer call you crazy.  In fact, they will want to get on the boat with you as they see thousands being saved because you listened to God, you honored His call.

God's not looking for perfect people to do His will.  He's not looking for those with a flawless testimony to carry out His plan... He's looking for those with a pure heart and a willingness to do what He asks us to do.  Those willing to pick up the hammer and get to work even while others say out efforts are unnecessary.

When God tells you to build and ark, you build an ark!

God always proves faithful.  We just need to be willing to build the ark! 

Let's get to work!

Pastor Christian Watts

The rest of your life comes down to this…

CHOICES... Life is all about choices.  There are those who look back on their life and see a history of poor choices, and their life in turn reflects this.  There are others who look back on their lives and see a history of good choices and their life in turn reflects this.  Some will continue making poor choices which will continue leading them down a dark and dreary path.  Some will continue to make good choices which will continue leading them on to better days and better things. 

Now, the kicker in all of this is that either one of the above persons can choose to change and in an instant their life can be turned upside down or right side up. 

I have seen many who after years of good choices fall into temptation, maybe making even just one poor choice that in turn alters their lives forever.  On the other hand I have seen some, and I say “some” because not many will choose to do so, who after a life of poor choices put a stake in the ground and say, "No more!"  They turn from making poor choices and begin making good choices and their life path is altered for the better.

Lamentations 3:23 tells us that “Gods mercies are new every morning”.  Joshua 24:15 says that we must “choose this day (meaning every single day) who we will serve”.

God’s mercies are new every morning, and today is a new day.  I want to encourage you to choose wisely in all you say and all that you do.  Some of you are facing HUGE choices.  Others are facing small choices that will have HUGE implications. Either way, before this day is over you will be faced with countless choices.

So how do we choose wisely? We can begin by asking ourselves questions like: What does scripture say about this choice?  Would I be ok if my spouse, family, friends, knew of my choice?  Would God be pleased with this choice?  How will this choice affect me, my family, and others around me in the years to come?  Did I pray about this choice?  Did I “listen” for God’s answer concerning this choice?  What is your “gut” feeling about this choice you are making?  What have others said about this choice I am making? Could this choice possibly hurt those I love most either indirectly or directly? And finally, using your brain God gave to you, simply ask yourself, “Is this a good choice or a bad choice?”

Life is about choices.  And what you choose today… everyday… will make all this difference!  So choose wisely.

PCW

2 TYPES OF GARBAGE (LIES) THAT CAN FILL OUR MINDS…

1. THE GARBAGE SOMEONE ELSE PUT IN OUR MINDS

• You’ll never amount to anything
• You’re not good enough
• You’re not smart enough
• You’re too short, too fat, too ugly, too skinny, too loud, too quiet, too old, not old enough, too weird, not weird enough
• You’ve made too many mistakes. 3 strikes you’re out and you’ve had 5, 6, or more!
• What you did disqualifies you from being able to do that, or from being that… 
• That failure was too big  
• That sin was too great
• You can’t recover from something like that! A mistake like that! Might as well go ahead and put on the old scarlet letter.
• I’m just a complete failure!

You know what all that is? A BUNCH OF GARBAGE THAT SATAN HAS BEEN FILLING YOU WITH AND IT’S TIME TO EMPTY THE TRASH, SEAL THE LID, AND GIVE SATAN A GOOD KICK IN THE TAIL AND REMIND HIM, AND YOU THAT HE HAS NO PLACE IN YOUR LIFE!

Romans 8:1-3a - 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. (My sin offering, your sin offering… Christ paid our debt 100%. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! His grace is sufficient for you, for me, no matter who we are or what we’ve done!

Satan doesn’t want you to believe this though. And he is looking for every opportunity he can to remind you of your sin, your failures…to feed you lies about how bad you are, how unworthy you are. But remember, Satan has no power over you. And the key is to resist him, to not give in to his lies, and the scripture says that he will flee from you. 

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 

James 4:7 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2. THE GARBAGE YOU YOURSELF PUT INTO YOUR MIND

Ephesians 5:1-12 - Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

HOW TO GET RID OF YOUR GARBAGE…

 

1. Claim who you are in Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2. Quit letting the devil have the victory.  

James 4:7-10 - Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. (Whatever it takes… 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

3. Let go of the garbage of the past and live in the grace of your future!

 

Philippians 3:12-18 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

 

4. Quit putting garbage in there!

 

Ephesians 4:17-24 - So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking (a lot of thoughts that lead to nothing). 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

5. Pray and Believe!

 

James 5:13-17 - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  

James 1:5-8 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Grading Sin?

When we begin putting sin (Sin being our rebellion against God's will and/or His ways) on a grading scale (one sin is worse than another) we might as well be saying that God's grace isn't sufficient (or enough) to cover ALL sins. Now, certainly sins consequences will vary depending on the sin, but God's grace is always the same, always consistent. Bottom line: It doesn't matter what you've done ...or how bad your past might seem, God's grace is sufficient for the worst of sinners. Therefore I encourage you today to live in His wonderful, undeserved, yet overabundant, grace!

Romans 3:20-24 (NLT)
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.

God is Faithful!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

6 Seek His will in all you do,

and He will show you which path to take.

Key Points....

1. Trust God fully! 110% surrender to His best plans for you.

2. Don't trust what you "think" is right.  In other words, seek His Word, Godly counsel, pray, and listen for His voice.

3. Ask, "How does this decision line up with God's will? Would His Word support it? Would you do "it" (whatever it is) if He were literally standing beside you? (Example: If I do this will I go further in debt and be a greater "slave to the lender"?)

4. Trust that God has your best interest in mind.  Trust that He loves you, you are His, you are His child, and He wants the very best for you.

Bottom line: God's ways are not our ways.  His ways, His plans, His purposes can always be trusted.  The One who created you, loves you more than anything and has a best plan for you.  Trust His Will, His Word, and His ways and He will always prove faithful!

The Heart of Worship

This morning (5/25/14) as I participated in worship for the first time since my surgery, God reminded me of a simple yet powerful truth: True Worship is a matter of one's heart attitude regarding Who God is, what He has done (grace past), and what He will do (grace future).  If you failed to worship God today don't blame the music, the pastor, your church, your schedule, or anything other than yourself.  True worship comes when we recognize God for Who He is,  and in doing so worship Him for His goodness, His faithfulness, His provision, His love, His compassion, His strength, and so much more!

Did you worship God today? Did you marvel at His glory and grace? If you didn't... if you need a fresh awakening... look no further than your heart attitude of worship. 

When the music fades

and all has slipped away

and I simply come.

Longing just to be

something that's of worth

that will bless Your heart.

I'll bring You more than a song,

for a song in itself

is not what You have required.

You search much deeper within,

through the way things appear,

Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

King of endless worth, no one could express how much you deserve.

Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours, every single breath!

I'll bring You more than a song,

for a song in itself is not what You have required.

You search much deeper within,

through the way things appear,

Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.

"The Heart Of Worship" Matt Redmond

5 TRUTHS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BUT SATAN DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Romans 8:28-39 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5 TRUTHS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BUT SATAN DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW

1. God has a plan for your life. And the scripture clearly says that God works all things together for our good. So what’s the catch? (Romans 8:28-30)

1. Those who love God – Those who put their trust in Him, and are relying on Him 100% for the results.  Proverbs 3:5 & 6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.
2. Those who are called according to His purpose – Trusting that God has the best plan. That His plan and His purposes, although many times are not how “we would do it”, are best.
3. Those whom he foreknew – Look with me at Psalms 139:1-16. God knew you even before you were born!
   Psalms 139:1-16
   1) O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2) You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3) You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4) Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 5) You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7) Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8) If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9) If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10) even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11) If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," 12) even the darkness is not dark to you, the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15) My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16) Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
    
4. Those whom He predestined – God had a “predetermined” plan, and that plan was to redeem His people by sending his Son Jesus to die in their place.  A plan that says, “Whosoever believes in Him, trust in His sacrifice, will not die but will live forever and spend all eternity in heaven reigning with Him”. (John 3:16)   
5. Those whom He called – God has called us through His Son from a life of self, to a life in Christ; from a life of sin, to a life of grace; from the penalty of death, to the gift of eternal life!
6. Those whom He justified – We are justified (saved) by grace through faith in Christ.  (Eph 2:8&9) Romans 5:1-2 - ¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ²Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
7. Those whom he glorified – Eternity in heaven, the completed work of Christ.  You and I spending all eternity in heaven with glorified minds, body, and spirit.  “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it”. (Philippians 1:6)

2. If you are in Christ, there is no one, or no “thing” that can have victory over you. (Romans 8:30-31)  If God loved you enough to allow His one and only Son to die in your place, knowing full well that you were a sinner (Romans 5:8), and that you would rebel against His will and His ways… then realize that He is 110% committed to you, and if you will put your trust Him (100%) for whatever comes, or has come your way, whether you brought it on, or it came as a result of circumstance beyond your control, He will take care of it with the best possible result!

3. Christ has already taken care of “that”. (Romans 8:33-34)  No matter what you’ve done, what you’ve been through, good bad, or ugly, it is covered under the blood of Christ.

4.  There is nothing you have done, can do, have gone through, or will go through that can separate you from the love of Christ! (Romans 8:35-36)

5. You are “MORE” than a conqueror through Him (Christ) who loved us. (Romans 8:37-39)  Trusting fully in Christ is key!