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“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2
Paul knew something; he knew how to experience the fullness of God’s life living through him. He had learned to yield and to surrender and present his body to God as a living sacrifice, recognizing that this was his “spiritual act of worship” as the New International Version reads. In Romans 12-16, Paul turns to the practical application of all he has previously written in this letter. Paul goes into detail about what it means to have Jesus Christ as Lord of every area of life. Paul likens Christians to members of a human body. There are many members: the hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, etc., and each has a distinctive function individually but cannot function properly without the other. All of the body is needed for the health of the body. The key is found in allowing the power of Christ to live through us in unity with others while in diversity. As the body has distinctive functions so do we in our unique giftedness. When we allow God to use our unique gifts, the body of Christ flourishes and everyone benefits. In verse 9, Paul writes, “Love must be sincere.” This love is a love without pretense. This love is not just an emotional love, but it is love in action. This sincere love is love that honors, encourages, serves, is patient in affliction, unselfish in giving, hospitable and faithful in prayer. Quite a list isn’t it. It can be overwhelming when we try to measure up to such a measuring stick! Thankfully, we have the help and aid of the Holy Spirit. This kind of living is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as we allow Him to help us, we allow the law of God’s kingdom to fulfill His purposes in our living and being. Therefore, church body, go ahead, and be amazed today at the life that we have been afforded through the work of Christ on the cross. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to thrive through us as He perfects the work of God’s Spirit in our lives in love today.
Blessings!
Carol Danna
Next Reading: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Prov. 13-15 Rom 11
Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Prov. 15:16-17
As we look at the wisdom of the wisest man that ever existed, the richest man that ever lived, he says to us that if you consider all things than you will find having nothing but the fear (respect) of God is better than having great wealth in your life. You are better off with a meal of vegetables or simple food from your garden with love than you are with a great feast of the fatted calf with hatred. Maybe because he had so much, he was always comparing great riches to having little or nothing. I was listening to a man on the radio today saying “if he had only bought Apple sock I would be a rich man today” the truth is knowing what is important to invest into and what will benefit you the most is a tricky thing. I certainly did not buy “Apple” stock or I would be rich today in money. However, I am willing to listen to the wisest and riches man in existence and invest in my future by storing up a treasure in heaven. By investing into a piece of the rock that brings forth living water. I choose to invest in Love and Respect (fear) for the king of the universe.
So I stand with you this mourning, as Joshua did so many years ago. We stand believing in the same God that Joshua trusted in. We declare this morning one more time “as for me and my house we choose the Lord.” May God bless you and keep you in His protection and Grace as the world around you sees your choice and knows where you treasure lies….
Pastor Jack
Next reading Prov. 16-18 Romans 12
As we look at the wisdom of the wisest man that ever existed, the richest man that ever lived, he says to us that if you consider all things than you will find having nothing but the fear (respect) of God is better than having great wealth in your life. You are better off with a meal of vegetables or simple food from your garden with love than you are with a great feast of the fatted calf with hatred. Maybe because he had so much, he was always comparing great riches to having little or nothing. I was listening to a man on the radio today saying “if he had only bought Apple sock I would be a rich man today” the truth is knowing what is important to invest into and what will benefit you the most is a tricky thing. I certainly did not buy “Apple” stock or I would be rich today in money. However, I am willing to listen to the wisest and riches man in existence and invest in my future by storing up a treasure in heaven. By investing into a piece of the rock that brings forth living water. I choose to invest in Love and Respect (fear) for the king of the universe.
So I stand with you this mourning, as Joshua did so many years ago. We stand believing in the same God that Joshua trusted in. We declare this morning one more time “as for me and my house we choose the Lord.” May God bless you and keep you in His protection and Grace as the world around you sees your choice and knows where you treasure lies….
Pastor Jack
Next reading Prov. 16-18 Romans 12
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10
Thank you for joining me as I share with you some thoughts on a portion of today's Bible reading.
Romans 10 speaks of faith and salvation. You can sense the Apostle's heartful desire that all would be saved by faith in Christ, and that is also our hearts desire today. But what is faith and how does one obtain it? Let me offer you this definition for Faith. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He is able to do what He says He will do. How do you get there? Well, let me walk you through my version of the Apostle Paul's questions, which he wrote in Romans 10:14-15, to answer that.
Q: How can people call upon the Lord if they do not believe He exists nor that He is who He says He is?
A: They can't. They need to believe that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.
Q: How can they believe in Him, so they can call upon the Lord, if they haven't heard about Him?
A: They can't. They need to hear the word of God, for Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Q: How can they hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, if there isn't any preacher?
A: They can't. They need someone to communicate the Word of God to them.
Q: How can someone preach, so others can hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, unless they are sent?
A: That's the kicker. Everyone who has already confessed with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead is automatically, in essence, sent by God to communicate His word.
Sent → Preach → Hear → Believe → Call → Saved → Sent → Preach→... etc.
We are called to continue the cycle of salvation. It's up to us. Let's get a spiritual pedicure, walk the walk and be wise, for he who wins souls is wise!
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11
Romans 10 speaks of faith and salvation. You can sense the Apostle's heartful desire that all would be saved by faith in Christ, and that is also our hearts desire today. But what is faith and how does one obtain it? Let me offer you this definition for Faith. Faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He is able to do what He says He will do. How do you get there? Well, let me walk you through my version of the Apostle Paul's questions, which he wrote in Romans 10:14-15, to answer that.
Q: How can people call upon the Lord if they do not believe He exists nor that He is who He says He is?
A: They can't. They need to believe that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.
Q: How can they believe in Him, so they can call upon the Lord, if they haven't heard about Him?
A: They can't. They need to hear the word of God, for Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Q: How can they hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, if there isn't any preacher?
A: They can't. They need someone to communicate the Word of God to them.
Q: How can someone preach, so others can hear the Word of God, so they can believe, so they can call upon the Lord, unless they are sent?
A: That's the kicker. Everyone who has already confessed with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead is automatically, in essence, sent by God to communicate His word.
Sent → Preach → Hear → Believe → Call → Saved → Sent → Preach→... etc.
We are called to continue the cycle of salvation. It's up to us. Let's get a spiritual pedicure, walk the walk and be wise, for he who wins souls is wise!
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11
Friday, May 28, 2010
Proverbs 7-9; Rom 9
" I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows, " Proverbs 7:14
I have been shepherding young adults for almost twenty years and far too often have witnessed the same fate as this young man in Proverbs 7. It's sad to read that He did no know it would cost his life. (v.23) It is true that youth many times are devoid of understanding (v.7) It seems pretty obvious the road he was heading down and the decicions he was was making were not wise and eventually did lead him to the slaughter. To seduce the young man she tells him she has made peace with God or perhaps, it's ok I am a Christian. Now before we continue to push blame on the young man I feel our reading today can point us inward to the same mistakes the young lad made. My observation and research tells me it doesn't take much wisdom that sin has places it dwells. The young lad scene the way she was dressed, approached her at night and was looking in places he shouldn't. Many times our eyes can wonder where they shouldn't and our legs take us places that can lead down a rode of destruction. Instead of fleeing or quickly turning our gaze elsewhere I have found many will buy into the lie of the seducers comments or thoughts will be made like. I'll just not look at the bad scenes of the movie. He or she say's there a Christian, even though you know they don't go to church or walk in ways of the Lord. I am being too legalistic. God understands my heart. Just as the young man didn't realize what his compromise would cost him, we too are guilty of not being aware of how even the slightest compromise will cost us. I suggest to choose this day to take a different path to work or school. Maybe it's time to watch a different show on TV or delete a website from the computer. Ask the Lord for wisdom to reveal to you in what ways you have been compromising or blowing through a stop sign the Lord has firmly established in your life.
Taking inventory with you,
Pastor Joe
Next reading: Prov 10-12; Rom 10
I have been shepherding young adults for almost twenty years and far too often have witnessed the same fate as this young man in Proverbs 7. It's sad to read that He did no know it would cost his life. (v.23) It is true that youth many times are devoid of understanding (v.7) It seems pretty obvious the road he was heading down and the decicions he was was making were not wise and eventually did lead him to the slaughter. To seduce the young man she tells him she has made peace with God or perhaps, it's ok I am a Christian. Now before we continue to push blame on the young man I feel our reading today can point us inward to the same mistakes the young lad made. My observation and research tells me it doesn't take much wisdom that sin has places it dwells. The young lad scene the way she was dressed, approached her at night and was looking in places he shouldn't. Many times our eyes can wonder where they shouldn't and our legs take us places that can lead down a rode of destruction. Instead of fleeing or quickly turning our gaze elsewhere I have found many will buy into the lie of the seducers comments or thoughts will be made like. I'll just not look at the bad scenes of the movie. He or she say's there a Christian, even though you know they don't go to church or walk in ways of the Lord. I am being too legalistic. God understands my heart. Just as the young man didn't realize what his compromise would cost him, we too are guilty of not being aware of how even the slightest compromise will cost us. I suggest to choose this day to take a different path to work or school. Maybe it's time to watch a different show on TV or delete a website from the computer. Ask the Lord for wisdom to reveal to you in what ways you have been compromising or blowing through a stop sign the Lord has firmly established in your life.
Taking inventory with you,
Pastor Joe
Next reading: Prov 10-12; Rom 10
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Prov 4-6; Romans 8
As we read through Proverbs 4 there is a main theme we can see here and this is that the condition of our heart will effect everything else in our lives. Things like putting other people before ourselves, living in wisdom & staying focused on the Lord are all sighted here in these scriptures. The condition of our heart and the choices we make will all culminate in the direct outcome of our spiritual lives.. "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23
Take a look at our world; I would say many of us have car alarms (most cars come with them built in these days) yet a car alarm only works if we respond to the sound of the alarm. Sometimes those things will go on for hours without anybody even turning a head. How about our spiritual alarms? Shouldn't we be even more sensitive to the alarms that go off inside us? That still small voice. Isn't there more importance in these eternal matters than the physical property we have? Having all the wisdom of Solomon doesn't help if we don't listen to the alarms going off. What comes to mind here is; "discernment" - the ability to determine and choose the good from the bad, the right from the wrong.
While as infants we lack discernment, as we grow up we develop this trait. Sometimes as adults even though we have developed discernment and can clearly speak to friends about the choices they should make we still have a hard time "discerning" what is good for our hearts.
Next Reading: Prov 7-9; Romans 9
Take a look at our world; I would say many of us have car alarms (most cars come with them built in these days) yet a car alarm only works if we respond to the sound of the alarm. Sometimes those things will go on for hours without anybody even turning a head. How about our spiritual alarms? Shouldn't we be even more sensitive to the alarms that go off inside us? That still small voice. Isn't there more importance in these eternal matters than the physical property we have? Having all the wisdom of Solomon doesn't help if we don't listen to the alarms going off. What comes to mind here is; "discernment" - the ability to determine and choose the good from the bad, the right from the wrong.
While as infants we lack discernment, as we grow up we develop this trait. Sometimes as adults even though we have developed discernment and can clearly speak to friends about the choices they should make we still have a hard time "discerning" what is good for our hearts.
Consider this... If you have alarms going off, maybe even some that have faded to the background because you have ignored them for so long, consider listening a little more carefully. Take the triggers of those alarms and present them to God. Bring forth a repentant and broken heart. Let's ask Him to create in us a "new heart". Let's place our hearts at the foot of the cross and experience the forgiveness God purchased for us there. Then, let's watch over our hearts with all diligence; because from it flow the issues of life.
Blessings my Friends,
Pastor Jason
Blessings my Friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: Prov 7-9; Romans 9
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7
Thank you for joining me as I share with you some thoughts on a portion of today's Bible reading.
When I was younger I would dream about the possibility of one day serving in Law Enforcement. I pursued this dream academically graduating from college with a degree in Administration of Justice but I never actually joined the force, as the Lord had other plans for me. Why was I driven to this career? Well, there were many reasons, some good, some maybe not so good. I often thought it would be exciting catching the "bad guys" while helping the "good guys", not to mention being able to drive at awesome speeds. The power to "do justice" was also appealing to me, since I didn't like lawbreakers. Wow, what an eyeopener when I realized that I also was a lawbreaker... and I didn't like that. What I wanted to do often times didn't result in what I actually did. Paul discusses this issue in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." When I tried to do things in my own power I would usually be unsuccessful. It's due to the sinful nature that lives in us. It's powerful and we are unable to overcome it in our own strength. Fortunately I discovered that in Christ there was freedom... freedom from the law... from the law of sin and death. With the help and power of the Holy Spirit we are now able to fulfill the law, which is good, the law of LOVE, as we have been married to another - to him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. Ro. 7:4
If you're struggling with this issue, wondering who can deliver you from this "body of death" (Ro. 7:24), let me tell you, the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ro. 7:25) He not only can, but will deliver you so that you will be able to serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Ro. 7:6
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8
When I was younger I would dream about the possibility of one day serving in Law Enforcement. I pursued this dream academically graduating from college with a degree in Administration of Justice but I never actually joined the force, as the Lord had other plans for me. Why was I driven to this career? Well, there were many reasons, some good, some maybe not so good. I often thought it would be exciting catching the "bad guys" while helping the "good guys", not to mention being able to drive at awesome speeds. The power to "do justice" was also appealing to me, since I didn't like lawbreakers. Wow, what an eyeopener when I realized that I also was a lawbreaker... and I didn't like that. What I wanted to do often times didn't result in what I actually did. Paul discusses this issue in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice." When I tried to do things in my own power I would usually be unsuccessful. It's due to the sinful nature that lives in us. It's powerful and we are unable to overcome it in our own strength. Fortunately I discovered that in Christ there was freedom... freedom from the law... from the law of sin and death. With the help and power of the Holy Spirit we are now able to fulfill the law, which is good, the law of LOVE, as we have been married to another - to him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. Ro. 7:4
If you're struggling with this issue, wondering who can deliver you from this "body of death" (Ro. 7:24), let me tell you, the answer is Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ro. 7:25) He not only can, but will deliver you so that you will be able to serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Ro. 7:6
Following Jesus Christ,
Pastor Juan
Next Reading: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
"The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country." 1 Kings 10;14-15
Wow "666" Talents of gold! I think that alone should have been a warning that this wasn't going to end well! Seriously friends, Solomon may have amassed a huge wealth and loved the Lord, and he even showed great wisdom that drew the attention of people like Queen Sheba. Unfortunately in the end his desire got the best of him as he didn't follow the Lords instruction. "But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love." 1 Kings 11:1-2 Unfortunately Solomon took his eyes off the mark and his heart grew cold to the Lord. "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant." 1 Kings 11:11
There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in walking a good life before Christ. Remember when we offer up things to the Lord whether it be our time, our resources, our worship or anything given with a right heart, it isn't because Jesus needs them, instead He allows us to give these things to express our gratitude. Take some time today and ask yourself where does your focus on other things pull you away from God. Is there anywhere in our lives that we can/should consider handing over at the altar?
When it was all said and done King Solomon died leaving all the treasure he amassed here on earth, and all the wives that his desire drove him to didn't help him in the end.
Lord help us all daily see the areas we need more of you and less of us....AMEN!
Blessings Friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: 1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
Wow "666" Talents of gold! I think that alone should have been a warning that this wasn't going to end well! Seriously friends, Solomon may have amassed a huge wealth and loved the Lord, and he even showed great wisdom that drew the attention of people like Queen Sheba. Unfortunately in the end his desire got the best of him as he didn't follow the Lords instruction. "But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love." 1 Kings 11:1-2 Unfortunately Solomon took his eyes off the mark and his heart grew cold to the Lord. "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant." 1 Kings 11:11
There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in walking a good life before Christ. Remember when we offer up things to the Lord whether it be our time, our resources, our worship or anything given with a right heart, it isn't because Jesus needs them, instead He allows us to give these things to express our gratitude. Take some time today and ask yourself where does your focus on other things pull you away from God. Is there anywhere in our lives that we can/should consider handing over at the altar?
When it was all said and done King Solomon died leaving all the treasure he amassed here on earth, and all the wives that his desire drove him to didn't help him in the end.
Lord help us all daily see the areas we need more of you and less of us....AMEN!
Blessings Friends,
Pastor Jason
Next Reading: 1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6
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