Now Is the Time - by Guest Kathi Pelton

(Photo: One Nation Under God by Mike De Lorenzo)

 Now Is the Time

Now is the time that God is calling the United States of America to align with His plans and purposes.

 

 

Now is the time to begin to fulfill the dream in God's heart to have His family in America come together in unity to release the sound of His voice into the nation.

 

Now is the time to see His righteous government render the judgment of mercy within our borders. Now is the time to put our trust in the Strength of the Lord rather than the strength of our nation.

I believe that God will lead many throughout the nation to gather together to worship and pray for our nation, and for all the nations of the earth.

 

These will be family gatherings where we come with one heart to worship and humble ourselves before our faithful Father God as His children.

 

We aren't coming with a cause, or our own agendas, but are responding to His longing and invitation for His family to gather as one.

Listen for the sound of His voice and the beat of His heart inviting you to gather family and friends for times of worship and prayer.

 

God is calling His faithful remnant forth to stand for our nation and for all the nations. Now is the time to respond to His invitation.

Kathi Pelton
Email: jkpelton@sbcglobal.net
Website: oceansinthedesert.com

 

Living in His Presence

Pastor Allan of Open Door Church began his message with the remark, “We don’t care what our neighbor is doing, but we care about what God is doing. 

The Holy Spirit is moving today.  I expect the Spirit of God to move in our church and in our city.”

We need to learn to daily walk in the Lord’s presence. 

Worship in church is fine, but worship needs to be a life style.  Not a crazy person but one that radiates the presence of Jesus.  Does worship cause you to do the Holy thing? 

Pastor read from Isaiah chapter 6.

Isaiah 6: 1,3 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. And one of the seraphim’s cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

If we walked in His presence as we went about our daily lives that would be a bit exciting.  When you are in the presence of God something mighty is going to happen. 

You want to see your neighbor saved?  Lift up the Holy One, and acknowledge the presence of God in everything you do. 

 

God created everything and he said “It was good.”  He gave us Free Will, and Adam and Eve acted on that and caused a separation from God’s presence.  Jesus came to pull down the wall of separation. 

Today is Palm Sunday, and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey.  The crowd was excited and cried Hosanna to the King. Why were they so energized? 

 

It was because they recognized the Presence of the Lord. Some of the Pharisees were upset at the noise and told Jesus to tell the people to be quiet.  Jesus said, if these were to be quiet, the rocks would then cry out.

There is a bit of “Teen Age” in all of us.  At a Ball game we shout and cheer.  When we get excited that Teen Age shout will come out.  May we worship with our teen age enthusiasm and cry Hosanna. Lord we welcome you into this place of worship and into our city. 

Jesus cleared out the temple when he saw the money changers doing business where prayer should be.  Understand that you are the temple of the Lord.  Allow the Holy Spirit to come inside and tear down all that should not be there.  Let Him knock down those sins and habits that are not pleasing to Him, and then walk uprightly.

We can’t force or make someone change.  I can tell you, pray for you, but I can’t decide for you, to walk in holiness.  That is your free choice to make. 

Use what you have to spread the Gospel and God will expand it.  Even Face Book can be a witness.  Let your friends and family see something real in you.  They know what is fake; just let the presence of God radiate through us.

We must desire to be equipped and know the Word of God.  Yes, get saved, then go on to experience more of Jesus. 

You can’t do this unless you are willing to surrender your entire life to the Lord.  God wants all of you, your mind, your body, and your spirit.

Let God speak to you as you enter and learn to walk in His presence 24/7.

 

 

THE CROSS BY Guest Roy Lessin

 

 

 

THE CROSS BY Guest Roy Lessin

 

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ”If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  John 8:31-32 (NKJV)

 

The deceiver tells me I am good enough.
The cross tells me I am a sinner and I need Jesus.

 

The deceiver tells me there are many ways to heaven.The cross tells me there is no other way for me to be saved.

 

The deceiver tells me to keep following what feels good.
The cross tells me I am lost without Jesus.

 

The deceiver tells me I am innocent.
The cross tells me I am guilty and need Jesus.

 

The deceiver tells me I can save myself.
The cross tells me I need a Savior.

 

The deceiver tells me Christ’s work is incomplete.
The cross tells me it is finished.

 

The deceiver tells me I am condemned.
The cross tells me I am justified.

 

The deceiver tells me I cannot be made clean.
The cross tells me the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all sin.

 

The deceiver tells me I must work for my salvation.
The cross tells me it is by grace alone.

 

The deceiver tells me my life will never change.
The cross tells me all things will be made new.

 

The deceiver tells me to be true to myself.
The cross tells me that I am not my own.

 

The deceiver tells me I can do as I please.
The cross tells me I have been bought with a price.

 

The deceiver tells me God is against me.
The cross tells me God is for me.

 

Friend - God is FOR YOU - Just receive Jesus

WHO ARE YOU? By guest Andrew Murray



Do You Know Who You ARE?

 

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3: 2– 3

 Upon entering God’s presence in the morning hour, a great deal depends upon our realizing not only who God is but who we are and what our relationship is to Him.

The question: Who are you? is asked (not in words but in spirit) of each one who claims right of access and an audience with the Most High.

 

We must have an answer in our inmost consciousness; and that consciousness must be a living sense of the place we have in Christ before God.

The mode of expressing it may differ at various times, but in substance it will always be the same. Who am I?

Let me think about that and not be afraid to tell God who it is that shall meet with Him and spend the day.

I know, by the Word and Spirit of God, that I am in Christ and that my life is hidden with Christ in God. In Christ I died to sin and the world.

By His Spirit, I am taken out of them, separated from them, and delivered from their power. I have been raised together with Christ and in Him I live unto God.

Because my life is hidden with Christ, I come to God to claim and obtain the divine life that is hidden in Him for my needs this day. “Yes, this is who I am,” I say to God in humble, holy reverence.

 

Seek and expect nothing less than grace to live here on earth the blessed life of heaven. I can say with confidence, “Christ is my life.”

The longing of my soul is for Christ to be revealed by the Father within my heart. Nothing less can satisfy me. My life dwells with Christ in God. He can be my life in no other way than as He is in my heart. I can be content with nothing less than Christ in me —

Christ as my Savior from sin, Christ as the gift and bestower of God’s love, Christ as my indwelling Friend and Lord.

Murray, Andrew (2011-12-01). Power in Prayer: Classic Devotions to Inspire and Deepen Your Prayer Life (p. 84). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Green Pastures and Green Dresses

 

He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures. 

 

We are so busy we often do not take time to rest and relax.  Jesus tells us to come to Him - all those who are weary and heavy laden and He will give us rest. 

My blogger friend Sharita recently shared  The Green Dream and How to Tame it at Tell Me a Story. 

Her post brought back memories about colors and a Green Dress that was mine at one time.

Because of the tones in our completion that God gave us; certain shades of color look best on us.  (Or not)

Personally, I cannot wear certain colors such as; yellow, white, orange, red or lime green.  My favorite colors are shades of purple, magenta, pink, blue and sometimes grey.

A long time ago, I had a favorite GREEN dress, and wore it a LOT.

One day my husband asked me to get rid of the dress because he hates green; so I did as he asked.  For years I shunned green clothing to please him.

Recently I realized that certain shades of green were lovely, especially dark forest green, and so I began to add that color to my wardrobe.

Hubby no longer objects to dark green as long as I also wear other colors.

 

These days we hear a lot about “Living green,” and “Eating green,” and wonder what is all the fuss? 

 

It is good to pay attention to how we treat our earth, and what we eat, but we must use caution in getting caught up in causes that slow down our Spiritual growth.

 

Come aside and seek Jesus for Himself, allow Him to guide and lead you in paths of righteous and He will gently reveal to you His green pastures where He will give you rest.

 

 

Jesus Christ is the Same

 

 

Jesus Christ is the Same

 

Taken from: Incourage.me/ daily devotional –

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.”
{Hebrews 13:7-10, ESV}

 

Yesterday
 

When I think of . . .

every city I’ve moved to,
every place I’ve worked,
every church I’ve attended,

Jesus was there. With me. In me.
And always interceding for me.

Today

When I think of . . .

every prayer I’m praying,
every circumstance I’m facing,
every decision I’m considering,

Jesus is there. With me. In me.
And always interceding for me.

 

Forever
 

When I think of . . .

every dream yet to live,
every season yet to come,
every moment yet to happen,

Jesus will be there. With me. In me.
And always interceding for me.

Amidst every change in every season of life . . .

Jesus has been, and is, and always will be my Constant—
an Ever-Present Help and Ever-Faithful Friend.

 

 

Let MY Words Abide IN YOU - guest Kent Simpson

 

 

"If My Words Abide in You"

By Guest - Kent Simpson, Gainesville, TX

"If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." John 15:7

The verse of Scripture has a much deeper meaning than you may think.

 

To "abide in Me" is to live in Christ and Him in you. And you are forbidden to meditate or touch anything that is not of Him. This part of the verse is not too difficult to understand, for anything of sin should not be let in. The next part of the verse has been misunderstood for a long time by many and needs further explanation: "...and My Words abide in you."

Here is what most people think this part of the verse is saying: "If you stay away from sin and read your Bible every day (or as often as possible), then you are abiding in His Word."

Therefore their belief is that the promise in this verse, "You will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you," (John 15:7b), is automatically working for every believing Christian.

And when it doesn't work in their life they question their faith and the truth of the Bible.

We must be willing to answer the call of the Holy Spirit and be willing to follow Him to the depths of our sanity. He will take you through various situations along this journey, teaching you what His Words really mean. Whether it's the written Word or spoken word, we must obtain understanding, for this will increase our knowledge and with knowledge we will become much wiser.

The Deep Calls unto the Deep

Now let's give this some thought. It's not too difficult to read your Bible and restrain yourself from offending God. So why doesn't every Christian receive whatever they desire? After all, the Bible promises it to be so.

 

The promise in this verse we are discussing states that, "You will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." This is a very powerful promise and I will explain how you are to obtain this promise.

The first part of this puzzle of truth must be broken down in order for us to see the prerequisites outlined within it before we can receive the full measure of the promise and its manifestation. Allow me to stretch your faith a little and share with you what I have been taught by the Holy Spirit. The next few steps are not meant to offend, but rather to help set you in a place to where you can begin walking in the fullness of the promises of God.

 

Remember this one thing! The Holy Bible is 100% from God and is all true.

Truth will always work when applied as instructed. If what you have been taught in the past is not working then it's not being taught correctly and it's time to ask the only true Teacher for the correct answers.

The Holy Spirit is the Author and Teacher that will give you all truth and nothing but the truth. We can continue to learn more daily from our God, for He is NOT dead. He is alive and is speaking to you and me.

Who or What is the Word of God

Jesus Christ is the Word of God. He can speak to you through the Bible, but do not be confused; He is not wood, pulp, and ink, bound in genuine leather. The Holy Scriptures are a compilation of divine events that are inscribed testimonials about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

When you are reading from your Bible you need to know the difference between the (Logos) Word and His (Rhema) Word. Many words in the Bible have more than one meaning for they originated in languages other than English. So when we read our Bibles in the English translation, the same Word can be used over and over as having the same meaning; however, in the original text it may have multiple meanings.

If you are reading your Bible and you are obtaining information as you study, you are reading the written Word or you could say the (logos) Word. The Holy Spirit can use any book, billboard, poster, man, woman, child and even a donkey to speak to you. There is no limit to how God can speak His (Rhema) Word or to say His life-giving Word. We are always looking for the life-giving Word, the (Rhema) Word of God. The (Rhema) Word changes our lives and gives direction, heals and delivers us.

Do you know what it's like to have the Holy Spirit speak His (Rhema) Word to you in the very hour you need it? This is the (Rhema) Word this verse is talking about, not just whatever you want to read or claim for yourself. The verse is referring to the (Rhema) Word from Jesus Christ, who IS the living Word in this verse, "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).

I hope and pray that you understand this part and use it as your spiritual compass to guide you through life. Continually keep your spiritual antennas up, ready to receive every life-giving (Rhema) Word that comes to you. It is your Master, King, Lord Jesus speaking to you.

Pray, hear and obey, for it is the Christian way. Amen, so be it!

Kent Simpson, Prophetic Pastor
Prophetic Ministries Today
Email: PMT@propheticministries.org
Website: propheticministries.org

Kent Simpson is a prophetic pastor and is the founder and senior pastor of Prophetic Ministries Tabernacle – a gathering place for the prophetic people of God to unite for the sole purpose of being used as vessels for the Holy Spirit to speak through. Prophetic Ministries Today is devoted to the truth that Jesus is not dead but alive and He speaks if you have an ear to hear the Spirit. His website is filled with prophetic teachings which will help you understand the process of "hearing" God for yourself as well as others. The Lord wants you to pray, hear, and obey Him because the Holy Spirit is the only One who can truthfully lead you into the abundant life Jesus promised us.

 

A Packet of Seeds

Sow Your Seeds and Expect a Harvest

 

Today at Church - Guest, Brother Prapai brought an inspiring message with reminders of who we are today because of Jesus.  I gleaned and bring you this digested sermon.

We hear of great men of God who slip and fall, yet we know God is the restorer.

Adam and Eve messed up big time, but in His mercy, God gave them a package of seeds to plant and harvest, as they were cast out of the garden.

Sometimes we fall short, and it is time to return to the cross.  God is developing us and changing us from day to day, one step at a time.

This is the season to overcome.  Each season with its changes has a different color.  It is time to change and be ready for the next season in our spiritual walk.

Peter was a coward, just like us, but he was the one who stepped out of the boat.  We reason and question, should I get out of the boat or should I wait just a minute.

God has not called us to worry, but we are called to trust.

Peter began to sink, but what he did is what we should do in time of trouble.  He called out “Help me Lord.”  Peter had faith, but it was supported by his head and not his heart.

God knows all about our shortcomings and all the stuff that is going on in our lives.

We can overcome by using God’s Word and our testimony.

The soldiers were coming to get Jesus, and Peter took out his sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers.  Jesus loved the soldiers and he picked up the ear and put it right back on - - healing the man.

Jesus loves us when we are up, he loves us when we are down, and even when we are a bit crazy.

We say, “I can’t do this.”  Hey aren’t you listening?  There is a break through coming.  Don’t worry about what you don’t have, but rejoice and be thankful for what you do have.

At Pentecost, Peter said, “I am going to tell you what I know.”  That is what we can do.  Tell others what God has done for us.

Are you looking ahead or do you want to get back in the boat?  Are you tired of doing life your way with results that are lacking?

With God the net will be full and not break.

At the recovery meetings the members say, “Hi my name is (blank) and I am an alcoholic or an addict. 

 

But we need to understand that I am NOT that old person any more.  I was a sinner, but now I am saved by grace.

At church we gather for prayers and we are around people.  Then it is time to leave and we feel alone.  Understand we are NOT alone.  Jesus is in us, and has promised to never leave or forsake us.

People are hungry and thirsty and we have the Bread and Water of Life to share.

Let us go forth with our testimony and believe God to bring the increase.  Sow your packet of seed that is in your hand and expect God to yield a harvest.

 

 

Renewed by Guest – Roy Lessin

 

May God restore your soul, refresh your spirit, and remove every cloud of despair, release every care of anxiety, lift every burden of strife, heal every wound of unkindness, cleanse every stain of sin, take every weight of heaviness, and renew to the fullest, every joy, hope, and blessing that He has made available to you in the riches of Jesus Christ.

He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. Isaiah 61:3-4 (NLT)

Renew my life with Your goodness. Psalm 119:40 (NLT)

 

Allow God to Be God – Guest R.T. Kendall

 

What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar. —Romans 3:3-4, NAS

Everyone, at some point in their lives, feels that God has betrayed them and let them down.

They find God seems more like an enemy than a friend. Nine out of ten people say, "Well, God, if that's how You want it to be, then I'll go my way and You go Yours."

Only one out of ten, I reckon, breaks that betrayal barrier and holds on, like Jacob who wrestled with the angel and said, "I won't let go unless you bless Me."

The same kind of thing happened to Abraham. We read in Genesis 22:2 how God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son—his only son.

That made no sense to Abraham. But Abraham showed he was willing to obey God, and God honored him for what he was prepared to do.

Sooner or later, God will ask you to do something that makes no sense at the time.

Perhaps the barrier you have to break is the one that doesn't seem logical at the time, but you must give God the benefit of the doubt. Abraham obeyed God and was never sorry.

We want God to be partial for us, but we have to come to the place where we allow God to be God.

Would we affirm Him if He were to work powerfully in another church, in another denomination? Would we say, "That is God"? 

During the American Civil War, someone came up to President Lincoln and asked, "Is God on our side or their side?" Lincoln's reply was, "All I want to know is whether we are on God's side." That is what we need to learn. When it comes to understanding God, we need to be on God's side and let God be God.

Excerpted from All's Well That Ends Well - R.T. Kendall 

 

Let God work first IN You and then YOU work with God

Your New Beginning - Guest Jennifer LeClaire

 

 

"6 Prophetic Words for Your New Beginning"

Guest - Jennifer LeClaire, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Earlier this year, Jennifer says, "I released a prophetic word for 2015: It's the year of new beginnings. I believe 2015 is a year of new beginnings and that means birthings."

Some of you, though, need a little more encouragement. In my book, Mornings With the Holy Spirit: Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God, I have shared with the world prophetic words the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart over the years during times of prayer, worship and just everyday living.

I believe the following six utterances, along with Scriptural references and prayer starters, can help you press into your new beginning. I hope they encourage you as much as they did me.

1. Determine to Follow Your Desires

Determine to follow your desires, for I have placed those desires in your heart as you have delighted yourself in Father. As you continue to seek first the Kingdom and Our righteousness, I will direct your steps on a lighted path that will take you where We both want you to go. Apart from Christ you can do nothing, but you are not apart from Christ. You are in Christ, and He is in you. If you determine to reach His high calling for you and lean and depend on Me to guide you, nothing shall by any means stop you.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 37:4; Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:5

PRAYER: Thank You for Your faithfulness to the dreams You have put in my heart. Give me a determined heart that will not turn to the right or to the left. Help me to stay focused on Your perfect will for me this day and every day.

2. Look Ahead to Your Destiny

Don't look back. I know your hurts. I know your wounds. I know your disappointments. I saw the betrayals. I saw the tears. I was with you through the pain, and I am here to make it right. I will work it all—the hurt, the disappointment, the betrayals—together for your good because you love Me and I love you. I will give you beauty for ashes. But you have to leave those ashes behind so I can resurrect with newness of life those things the enemy tried to steal, kill and destroy. Remember Lot's wife. Don't look back. Your destiny is ahead, and I am leading you toward your dreams. (Photo via Wikimedia)

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:12-14; Isaiah 61:3; Romans 8:28

PRAYER: Thank You for Your healing power in my soul. Give me the strength to press beyond the past and toward my high calling in Christ. Show me how to make the divine exchange that will give me beauty for ashes, and I will glorify Your name.

3. It's Never Too Late to Start Over

No matter what destruction the enemy has brought to your life, you can start over again. Father started over with Noah after the destruction of the Flood. He made a covenant with man never to flood the earth again. And He has made a covenant with you through His Son. So be at peace, knowing that when the enemy comes in like a flood, Father will raise up a standard against him. And what the enemy meant for harm, Father means for good. You can start again in My grace. It's never too late to start over in Christ.

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 9:17; Isaiah 59:19; Genesis 50:20

PRAYER: Thank You for Your covenant with me. Thank You for protecting me from the wiles of the enemy. Thank You for giving me a fresh start in Christ. Anoint me to walk out of the old season and into what You have planned for me. 

4. Forget What Lies Behind

It's a new day. Forget what lies behind, and press on to what Jesus has for you. Don't let your mind wander to the people and places of the past, no matter how good or how bad. If you try to move forward while looking back, you will stumble. You will stumble over frustration, either because things didn't go the way you hoped or because your current circumstances do not live up to those of your past. Don't look back. Stay focused on your mission in Christ. He will take care of the past, present and future if you keep your mind stayed on Him.

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:13-14; Isaiah 43:19; Ephesians 2:10

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, when my mind wanders away from Your truth, please speak to my heart and remind me that the past is the past and the future is bright. Please give me a glimpse of what lies ahead so I can press on toward that higher calling of God in Christ Jesus.

5. Prepare for a New Season

I've given you a gift, and I expect you to use it. You've wondered many times why your gift has not made room for you. But, My friend, you must take the first step and make room for the gift. You must put away from you and lay aside those things that are distracting you from My higher purpose for your life. I want to take you into deep waters. Prepare yourself now for a new season in which My gifts will manifest through you for the glory of Christ.

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 18:16; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Hebrews 12:1

PRAYER: I want to glorify Christ with the gifts You've given me. I will yield to You, Holy Spirit, if You make Your way known to me. Help me to turn away from anything and everything that's distracting me from Your love, Your presence and Your will.

6. I Will Give You Wisdom and Strategies for Victory

Just as I was with Moses, Joshua and David, empowering them with wisdom and revelation and delivering them from the hand of the enemy, so I am with you. I am the power that defeats all your enemies. Speak against your spiritual foes in the name of Jesus, and I will enforce His will against your enemies—they will fall in defeat. I will give you wisdom for every battle and reveal strategies for victory. Just as I was with Moses, Joshua and David, so I am with you.

SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 4:6; Psalm 31:8; Psalm 24:8

PRAYER: Give me a revelation of Your presence and an understanding of the power of the name of Jesus, that I may stand confidently—fearlessly—against the wiles of the enemy and see Your victory in my life. Thank You for the authority to use Christ's name!
 

Used by Permission from Charisma Magazine.
 

 

ARE YOUR HANDS OUT THE WINDOW?

 

The day was a hot muggy summer day as my dad drove us home from church.  Our old Lizzy as Mother named our old Ford car, did not have air conditioning so all our windows were down.

As I sat in the back with a window seat, I stuck my arm out the window and the breeze felt Ohhh  --  SOooo good.

Parents often have eyes in the back of their head because they seem to know everything that is going on.

“Get your hands back in the car,” bellowed my Dad.

Quickly I obeyed, but when he was no longer focused on me and was paying attention to his driving; out went my arm again to experience the forbidden sweet tasting cool wind.

Suddenly a carload of noisy teen age boys pulled along side of us and one of them hit my hand with a loud slap that hurt like the dickens.

I jerked my arm back in the car and tried not to cry as the tears welled up in my eyes.

Suddenly it was ‘after the fact’ that I realized why I shouldn’t have done what I did. 

Isn’t that way life is at times?  We know all the reasons why we should not smoke, take drugs, drink alcoholic beverages, have pre-marital sex, and the list begins here.   

Many of us have been stung with the smacking results of “Sticking our hand out the window.”

We can’t just pretend it did not happen, but there is a provision to remove the sting, and get a fresh start.

This is the reason Jesus died, rose again and lives today to bring the “old rebellious” you and me to the foot of His cross where we can be forgiven and become a “New Creature,” in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

So what is next?

Find a Bible Believing church where you can fellowship with other Christians.  Get a Bible and begin to read in the New Testament a chapter each day.  

And - - If you are tempted to stick your hand out that window - - - - think about it - - and Don’t.

 

SALT AND LIGHT

Pastor Allan’s opening remarks were, “Are you ready for the Living God?  When we live and move IN Him great things happen.”  

 

Pastor confessed; In life there are a lot of things that I am not too proud of.  Even as we drive down the road and call someone an idiot, do we ever consider to complement those who are doing right?

Reading from Matthew 5:13-16  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

So others can see your good works, and not yourself telling how good you are.

A chef cooks his soup and if it doesn’t taste right he adds a bit of salt.  If he still doesn’t like the taste, it might need some sugar !

Look around you and realize there is a lot of foul smelling soup out there.  I get frustrated when I enter the church office and discover someone has thrown another rock through our window.  It makes me angry.  I tell myself to calm down, and to remember that I am salt.

How are we supposed to do this when we put our hand out and the dog bites us.  Something is just not right.  

History tells us that many have been persecuted and died for our Lord.  Look at Europe today and perhaps we are even nearer to them than we realize.

We may be personally spit on, and even corporately as a church.  The neighbors are angry because our church is in their neighborhood.  (Actually this building has been here for many years, with the Salvation Army next door.) 

The bottom line is for us to show them the way by being salt.  We want to see our city be blessed.  You may know that one of the beautiful fish sculptures was stolen, and the city took down the other 6 to protect them.  Now we all must suffer the loss.  Guess what?  The soup is about ready, and it needs a pinch of salt.  We must salt the sacrifice. 

Salt looses its flavor if it is watered down.  So many dilute God’s Word, tearing out this page and that and dissecting what is left.

We all fall short and make mistakes, but we must learn to live with one another, and learn to love one another.  Can we learn to “Handle things” that offend us?  We live in a world where many do not give a RIP.

Understand there is a time to rise up in anger, but not to live continually in a state of fury.

Satan has reigned over this city long enough.  Begin to pray for those who upset you.  What can we do to make it right?  Put some salt on them.

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Walk in wisdom to those who are “Outside of Grace”  Pray for boldness to share and go out.  God is still working so walk in his light.

How many here have a smart phone?  Several hands went up.  God has a smart phone with His calendar and his plans.  Let us be that city set on a hill that cannot be hid because our light shines so brightly.

May this church be a city of refuge where people can find God and be set free.

Be Both Salt and Light