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Weeds

4/10/2022

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Gardening catalogues show the fruit and flowers and vegetables at their ideal state -- vibrant and colorful. Weeding is vital to successful gardening. When God created the Garden of Eden there were no weeds. We because of sin brought weeds and everything else evil into this world. 

"Then God said, “Let the land produce plants. Let them produce their own seeds. And let there be trees on the land that grow fruit with seeds in it. Let each kind of plant or tree have its own kind of seeds.” And that’s exactly what happened. 12 So the land produced plants. Each kind of plant had its own kind of seeds. And the land produced trees that grew fruit with seeds in it. Each kind of tree had its own kind of seeds. God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:11-12

 "Jesus also said, “Here is what God’s kingdom is like. A farmer scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day the seed comes up and grows. It happens whether the farmer sleeps or gets up. He doesn’t know how it happens. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain. First the stalk comes up. Then the head appears. Finally, the full grain appears in the head. 29 Before long the grain ripens. So the farmer cuts it down, because the harvest is ready.'" Mark 4:26-29

God is the gardener.

We plant. God grows it. This year will be tough -- up front costs will be high. 

"Jesus told the crowd another story. “Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like,” he said. “A man planted good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came. The enemy planted weeds among the wheat and then went away. 26 The wheat began to grow and form grain. At the same time, weeds appeared. 27 “The owner’s slaves came to him. They said, ‘Sir, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’ 28 “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The slaves asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’ 29 “ ‘No,’ the owner answered. ‘While you are pulling up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat with them." Matthew 13:24-29

"Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him. They said, “Explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” 
37 He answered, “The one who planted the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world. The good seed stands for the people who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who plants them is the devil. The harvest is judgment day. And the workers are angels." Matthew 13:36-39
There are two kinds of people on this earth -- people who belong to God and people who belong to Satan. 

The Harvest
“The weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. That is how it will be on judgment day. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels. They will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin. They will also get rid of all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace. There people will weep and grind their teeth. 43 Then God’s people will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Whoever has ears should listen." Matthew 13:40-43

This is a warning. Jesus was talking to His disciples -- to Believers. 

Why wait?

"First, I want you to pray for all people. Ask God to help and bless them. Give thanks for them. 2 Pray for kings. Pray for everyone who is in authority. Pray that we can live peaceful and quiet lives. And pray that we will be godly and holy. 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior. 4 He wants all people to be saved. He wants them to come to know the truth. 5 There is only one God. And there is only one go-between for God and human beings. He is the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave himself to pay for the sins of all people. We have been told this message at just the right time." 1 Timothy 2:1-6

God doesn't want to lose anybody. He's giving us time to bring people to Him. He's giving people time to repent. 

"But now God has shown us his saving power without the help of the law. But the Law and the Prophets tell us about this. 
22 We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles. 23 Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. 24 The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. 25 God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived." Romans 3:21-25

We are all naturally weeds. Only through Christ can we become fruit-bearing plants. 

Death and Salvation

"When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done." Romans 6:23

"You can’t be saved by believing in anyone else. God has given people no other name under heaven that will save them.'" Acts 4:12

Your challenge:
1, Abide in the Vine (John 15)

2. Expect to be pruned.

3. Bear Fruit. 

4. Ask yourself - are you listening to God or Satan and the wiorld? 

Don't be afraid of the weeds.

"You will call out to me for help.

    And I will answer you.
You will cry out.
    And I will say, ‘Here I am.’

“Get rid of the chains you use to hold others down.

    Stop pointing your finger at others as if they had done something wrong.
    Stop saying harmful things about them.
10 Work hard to feed hungry people.
    Satisfy the needs of those who are crushed.
Then my blessing will light up your darkness.
    And the night of your suffering will become as bright as the noonday sun.
11 I will always guide you.
    I will satisfy your needs in a land baked by the sun.
    I will make you stronger.
You will be like a garden that has plenty of water.
    You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry." Isaiah 58:9-11

These verses are the perfect blueprint of how we need to live:
1. Call for help.
2. Do away with oppression
3. Don't point fingers at others and don't commit slander.
4. Take care of others.
5. Then our lights will shine.
6. The Lord will guide us always.

God is telling us something. God wants us to bear fruit. Bear enough to give it away. 

Challenge: Get into the Word and see what God has to say to you.


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In Times Like These

3/13/2022

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"Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains." Matthew 24:4-8
 
Strife and conflict and famine, all over the world: Ukraine, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran bombing the U.S. embassy in Iraq; God calls us to be people like David -- people after God's own heart.

"But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”" 1 Samuel 13:14

22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’" Acts 13:22

We serve a risen Savior!

Who was David?

A Shepherd:
"He chose David his servant

    and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him
    to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
    of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
    with skillful hands he led them." Psalm 78:70-72

A warrior:
He fought 66 battles. In each one he and his army were the little guys. He didn't lose one battle. He won them all. The world can look like it is winning. But it isn't. David never denied God. Never. And when he was confronted with his sin, he repented.

A child:
"1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me." Psalm 13

He was a child who asked his Father questions. Came to his Father God with all things. He pleads with God for help. He praised God for God. He didn't blame God when things were bad. He praised God. The whole world is negative -- don't get stuck in that. Praise God. The world needs to see us praising God.

Our Battles:
Get read before the battle comes. Always be in training with your weapons -- the Bible and prayer. Train, train, train.


"12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

How do we participate in the fight? in the war?

1. Be in prayer!
2. Speak boldly for Jesus.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4

We have the power. The world doesn't. There is a reason we have prayer lists.

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”" John 18:36

We approach with confidence!

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

What are we to do?


"Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the l ight and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Our instructions are in 16-18. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 

David's psalms of help

H -- hear 
E -- establish
L -- Let
P -- preserve

"Hear me oh LORD, for I am poor and needy." Psalm 86:1

Establish my footsteps according to your word so no sin rule over me." Psalm 119:133

Let your mercy come quickly to meet us for we are in desperate need." Psalm 79:8b

Preserve my God for I take refuge in you." Psalm 16:1

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The Alpha and the Omega

12/26/2021

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"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:1-7

Luke was a researcher, a chronicler, wrote it down in sequence. 

Unlike all other religions, Christianity (and Judaism) has historical

references, facts that can be proven. 


“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”  Micah 5:2

Our world and what happens in it is important to God


"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

All of creation God said it was good, but when he made humans he said it was very good.


"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7

 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13

Elohim -- the Creator -- has never stopped working. Past-- Present-- Future -- all belong to God. Jesus -- fulfillment of prophecy of Micah -- 700 years


"And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15

God had and has it all planned out. God never changes -- Jesus never changes. When people take God out of the picture they will see less and less reality in the world. 


"I the 
Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

We serve a risen Savior who is in the World today. 

"He Lives!" written by Alfred Ackley in 1933. 

God is active -- not reactive

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20

You are important to God


You are part of history -- God's plan -- You are important. We are all called. God wanted/wants you here.

​"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

God has everything planned.

You were chosen before the foundation of the world.

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

"13 For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:13-17

Your life and circumstances are part of God's plan

Every single generation is an advancement of God's plan. Advancing God's will. Don't let things slip. God's timing is always perfect.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." Deuteronomy 7:9

"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

 "and provide for those who grieve in Zion--

to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3
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The Resurrected Life!

4/11/2021

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"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness." Romans 6:1-13

What do we do now? The Resurrection is part of us. What does that mean for our daily life? We are new in Christ, but habits and lifestyles are hard to break.

Amazing Grace -- we were lost, now we are found.


"Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—" Romans 5:12

Jesus stayed on earth for 40 days after He was resurrected. Then He went to be with God in heaven. We are meant to be living with God.

"The sin in the world leads to separation, feeling lost, abandoned, disappointed, alone, unloved, despair, purposeless, wandering lost...

For us there is a better way -- we have hope. We should be the shining light in the darkness every day! Through the resurrection of Christ, we are not improved, we are reborn!

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath." Ephesians 2:1-3

It's not on us. We are reborn children of God. We don't make the transformation happen. The Spirit does.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:1-2

Our bodies don't stop decaying. We still have bills. But our Spirits are transformed! Don't be influenced by the world. Be influenced by Jesus. We are immune to the death and sin of the world. Our lives have returned to the ownership of the Creator. I live like tomorrow is hope. Anticipation of seeing Jesus gets me excited. And He asks for you! Yes, you the one reading this!

God loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us this way. It's a brand new life.

"Brothers and sisters, 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." Philippians 3:13-14

Go toward Jesus. Go forward. Your life will get brighter and brighter "until the full day!!"

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

Heaven is our home. Life is not elevated, it is dead. Leave it at at the Cross.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

We are receivers and givers of grace and the Good News. The need for Jesus is everywhere!!


"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Don't live like you're dying.

Pick up your cross daily... 

Understand that you are loved this much! Walk forward means children of God -- boldly proclaiming His love. Share the love that you have received.

"It ain't dying I'm talking about, Woodrow, it's living!"

This isn't religion and rules. It is relationship. We are new -- here and now through Resurrection. 

Are you living a new life, a life of Resurrection right now? If not, what do you need to do?
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Gifts of the Spirit -- your very own Superpower!

2/28/2021

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"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.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]" Ephesians 4:4-8

This passage has a list of Ones:
-- one Body of Believers
-- One Spirit
-- One Hope for Salvation
-- One Lord -- JESUS!
-- One Faith -- Christianity
-- One baptism
-- One God and Father


"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7

Gifts are given by the Spirit as He sees fit. Think of the gifts as tools. Tools do do God's work with. We are given them individually -- we each have at least one. We have different gifts for a purpose. Manifestation -- display of the Spirit in each of us for the purpose of building up the Body and to bring the Body of Christ to maturity.

"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:4-8

What you want might not be what God gives you. He gives us what the church needs.

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

It's not about us. It's about Him.

The gift of Faith -- it is a deeper kind of faith, the kind that can bolster the whole body to believe.

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13

Roles for you?

We won't attain our full measure of maturity if we aren't fulfilling our roles. Gifts are tools so we can go to work.

"And God has placed in the church
 first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues." 1 Corinthians 12:28

It's not forced on us. He doesn't make us use the gifts He gives us. BUT we will be held accountable and responsible for what we did with what He gave us.

USE IT OR LOSE IT -- Do you want to hear:

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" Matthew 25:23

OR

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.
 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 25:28-29

Once you start using your gift it will grow. And you need to refine it. Keep using it. Keep seeing it grow.

HOW TO DISCOVER AND CULTIVATE YOUR GIFT(S):

1. Pray about it -- seek revelation from God. Read His Word (and there are tons of surveys online to help you figure it out).

2. Ask someone else what they think your gifts are. Sometimes it can be seen easier from the outside than from the inside.


3. Keep everything in perspective. These are gifts from God (not talents). You aren't going to get rich or famous using these gifts. These are for God's purposes.

Develop your gift. Practice it.

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Time to Get Salty!

1/10/2021

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“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13

What does the world need now?

It needs us to be the salt Jesus has called us to be! Jesus didn't come for political change. He came to change hearts, bring people back to the Father. We are meant to do this too.

Salt has many uses. There of those uses are:
1. Preservation
2. Flavoring
3. A Catalyst 
 

"
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

"
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

We can add salt to any conversation. We in a way also preserve our society -- without us, without the Salt of the Holy Spirit, this world would a whole lot worse than it is now. We add flavor, the very best kind, to society and to our relationship. Let that salt of the Spirit come out. Let it do its job.

Salt was a catalyst for fire. Back in Jesus' time they had communal ovens. They put salt in the oven to help the fire burn hotter and cleaner and brighter. This is what we can do. This is our role too in society. 

We are called to continue the ministry of Jesus.

"All this is from God,
 who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"       
2 Corinthians 5:18

We are to meant to be different from the world. Don't be like the world. Don't react to the world's drama. The world's people don't realize there is another way to live. We need to show them the other way, God's way.

"John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Luke 3:16

Don't put yourself on the shelf.  Let us continue to be active salt.

"The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

The world needs us. How can we be salt in where we are at today?

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The Promises of Jesus Part 2

11/22/2020

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Today Shannon shares with us four promises Jesus gives His followers:

​1.Jesus Promises Revelation
John 14: 21
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
 
Building a relationship with Christ opens us up to a deeper understanding of God. There are truths that can only be understood from the inside.
 
The most intimate relationships reveal truths and love,
Everyone wants to know all the answers to life, that is human nature, but human nature’s wisdom is empty.
 
Condition for Promise: Whoever has my commands and keeps them.
Psalm 119: 4-6
4 You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
 
Revelation 2:17
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
 
 
 
2. Jesus promises Friendship –

John 15: 14-15
14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you
 
Jesus didn’t come to just build a bridge
He didn’t come to give us a get out of jail free card
He came to restore the intimacy and friendship between man and God.
The disciples asked Jesus how they should pray. This was an indicator that they did not know how to have a personal relationship. Jesus told them to start, “Our Father, who art in heaven, “
Matthew 12: 50
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
 
Condition : doing the will of my father in heaven.
 
 
3. Jesus promises Joy:

John 15: 9-11
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
 
Joy comes from remaining in God’s love.
To remain in God’s love takes perseverance, because the world would like nothing more than to steal your joy.
 
 
David – a man after God’s own heart.
Psalm 27:5-7
5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
 
Hebrews 12: 1-3
 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
 
4. Jesus Promises Trials
 
John 16: 31-33
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
 
 
Matthew 5: 10-11
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me
 
 1 Peter 4: 12-14
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
 
2 Timothy 3: 12
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
 
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The Promises of Jesus, Part 1

11/15/2020

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The Promises of Jesus  Part 1
 
We have been given so much, but we need to remember that the best is yet to come. The promises of God have always come true, we see that in the bible, and the promises of Jesus are something we can cling to.  Today we are going to talk about just three of the promises Jesus gave to all of us who are true believers.
 
 
  1. Life
Matthew 16: 24-25
  a
 
Conditional: Deny yourself – lose your life to find it. But what we gain is so much more!
 
Luke 14: 27
  •  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple
 
1 Peter 4: 1-2  Jesus didn’t ask us to do anything He didn’t do himself
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
 
Rich young ruler Mark 10
 
21-22  21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
 
John 10:10   Abundant Life
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
  1. Acceptance.  Condition – come to me.
John 6:37
All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away
Guaranteed acceptance is hard to come by, but this is a promise of Jesus!
John 17:20-24
 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
John 10:28-30  No one will snatch them
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
 
Matthew 11:28
 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Romans 5: 1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God.
John 15:15
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
 
 
 
  1. The Promise of Reward – Condition: sacrifice
Mark 10: 29-31
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
 
It is easy to follow the promise of immediate gain to self- to obtain the promises of Jesus takes patience and sacrifice.
 
Nothing we can ever surrender can exceed the gains promised by Jesus – nor can we sacrifice more than Jesus did to provide us with  the promise of gain!
 
Matthew 5: 10-11
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
 
Luke 22: 28-30
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
 
 
 
 
 
Revelation 2 :8-11
8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
 
Revelation 3: 7-13
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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Personal Responsibility

10/11/2020

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We humans have been blaming others for our bad behavior since the beginning of time.

Adam blamed God and Eve for his sin.


"The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”" Genesis 3:12

Eve blamed the serpent:

"The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”" Genesis 3:13b

No matter how others treat us we are responsible for our responses. 

And Jesus said:


"There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day." John 12:48

He will ask each of us individually, Did you do what I told you to do?

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." Luke 6:46-48

If we rely on someone else's faith it will fail. The world and Satan want to destroy yourr foundation.

Seek Maturity:


"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling," Philippians 2:12

Salvation -- what you do with it is how you mature.


"Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble," 2 Peter 1:10

Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice your faith. It will get stronger and deeper the more you practice it.

When you get into the Word, when you get into a study you are practicing your faith.

"for each one should carry their own load." Galatians 6:5

We are so blessed! The Word is one of the biggest blessings God has given us. We have such a good Father. We have every resource we need to mature spiritually.


"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

Do something with what God has given you. 

In the parable of the talents, the 3rd servant blamed the master for his own lack of action. You are responsibly for how you respond to other people's actions (good or bad).

"Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God,
 2 instruction about cleansing rites,[b] the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so." Hebrews 6:1-3

Don't keep building the foundation over and over. Build on the foundation.

Seek Mature Spiritual Food:

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.
 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:11-14

Again ..... Practice.

Be who you are supposed to be! It's okay to be nervous to take the first step. The steps get easier and easier the more you take. Don't stop growing.

Be filled with knowledge and understanding:

9" For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a]
 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God," Colossians 1:9-10

Knowledge, practice and education will help mature you spiritually.


"until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:13-15

Grow up.
 
Self Evaluation:

Where am I at? How can I get closer to Jesus? Where do I need to go today? Is there anything holding me back from getting closer to Jesus?

Everyone starts at the same place spiritually -- 0. What would you like to have more of in your spiritual life?



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Watch Your Mouth

6/7/2020

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"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check." James 3:1-2

This is a process. This is a serious thing. We will be held responsible for everything we say to others -- good and bad. When you teach or preach you say even more stuff! 

​"3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts." James 3:3-5a

The tongue is compared to a horse and a ship -- both are extremely powerful. The horse is guided by a piece of metal that can fit in a child's hand. The ship's rudder is 1/1000th the size of the ship.

People often say "it's just words" but it is never just words. 


Prevalence of Speech: 
The average person speaks 1/5 of their lives

A single day’s words would fill a 50 page book

A year’s words would fill 132 books of 200 pages each!

"Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:5b-6

The Chicago fire was started by one small lantern being kicked over. Our tongue is more powerful than a forest fire -- think of the California wild fires of last year. The property destroyed, the lives lost -- our tongue can do even more damage with its words!

The previous warnings of James:
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," James 1:19

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless." James 1:26

Obviously this was a big problem in the early church and it is still a big problem. As long as humans are on earth we will need to be reminded to think before we speak; that words cannot be taken back; that a loose tongue is a weapon that does much damage.

 "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:45

We can't fake what is in our hearts. What is within us will come out in our speech. If a person is harsh very likely that person has anger in his/her heart. It is all about the heart.

"But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” Matthew 15:18-20

We need to think before we speak. We must use a filter from our brains to our mouths. Some of us need new filters. Some of us still need filters.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7

The word for poison here is venom -- the deadliest venom known to man. When we curse others or slander them this is no different than doing this to God. And that is bad...

" With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12

Words from Proverbs about the tongue and our speech:

12:18   The words of the reckless pierce like swords,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

15:4   The soothing tongue is a tree of life,
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

17:27  The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

18:21  The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:33-34

People are starving for positive words. We can start anywhere. We can bless others with kindness and kind words everywhere we go.

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3:13


Humility comes from wisdom. Wisdom comes from God.

2 Corinthians 5:17
" Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!" 
Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Luke 6:28
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

These are learned behaviors. We have no excuse. If we have accepted Jesus we have the Holy Spirit who will guide us if we let Him.

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:14-16


"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18
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    Shannon Hinrichs

    Dupree Baptist Church Pastor

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