Dec 8. Rev
J. Blake. The Gift of Giving. Isa 1:23, Prov 17:8. The most important aspect of
giving is the motive. Some give to manipulate or receive honor. Give alms in
secret and God will reward you openly. A gift requires a giver and a receiver. Before
the gift is received it is just an offering; a potential gift. A gift is a
mystery to the receiver until it is opened. God offered His only Son as a
substitute for our punishment. The gift of God, His Son, comes with eternal
life; John 3:16. John 1:12, Sons of God must walk as new creatures in Christ.
Rom 8:14, Sons of God are led by God. There is a difference in being a creation
and a child of God. 2 Cor 5:17, are you all new? New creatures will give up their
will to have Jesus as Lord. Worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
Dec
1. You
Must Be Born Again. John 3:1-3. Nicodemus was a man of authority. He was a
Pharisee. They believed in resurrection, the Sadducees believed in
reincarnation. As Jesus rose from the dead, we will rise when Jesus returns for
us. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night because he did not want others to see him.
You must be born again – a spiritual birth. If you are not born again you
cannot even see the kingdom. When you
are born again: the holy spirit will lead and guide you, you will pray
continually, you will have faith and love. Your life is changed, you look to
God for direction, you are happy. Try to point others to the Lord. Surely, you
must be born again.
Nov
24. We
Have The Power. Acts 3:1-4. Acts 1:8. On the day of Pentecost they were on one
accord and the Holy Ghost came. When you get on one accord, things will get
done. Peter and John received the power on Pentecost. Three thousand were saved
at Peter’s first sermon. We receive the Holy Ghost when we believe Jesus as
Savior. Peter and John went to the temple to pray and encountered a man looking
for money. Peter said they did not have silver and gold, but he would give what
they had. They had the power. By the power Jesus walked on water, raised the
dead, stopped the wind and waves, and saved our sinful souls. Jesus paid the
price so that we could receive the power. There is power in the name of Jesus –
rise up and walk. Get off your bed of sin. Jesus will put strength in your
steps. Jesus can give you the power. Praise God for the power. Do your best to
please God.
Nov
17. Preferred. Daniel 6:1-4. Daniel was preferred
and had an excellent spirit which led him to pray 3 times a day. When God
promotes you, some will try to pull you down; but trust God and pray. Those
that wanted to bring Daniel down tricked the king into a decree that would make
Daniel’s praying illegal. If anyone prayed to any god but the king’s god he would
be thrown into a den of lions; Daniel prayed anyway, just as he had done before.
Don’t just pray when you get in trouble; pray without ceasing. Trials and
tribulations are coming; pray before things happen. God locked the jaws of the
lions; He made them feel full. When the enemy comes God will repeal them.
Daniel told the king, the God I serve is able. Thank God and tell others when
God blesses you. Nov
3. The
Handwriting Is on The Wall. Daniel
5:1-6. At the beginning of their captivity Daniel and his friends separated themselves
by not eating the king’s meat. Never put yourself before God. The Lord will
take care of you as he did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego through the fiery furnace. America’s handwriting is
on the wall and your handwriting is on your wall. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he could not remember: Daniel told him the dream and
interpreted it. He had a second dream that foresaw him on the outside living
like an animal. He finally returned to his senses and acknowledged the sovereignty
of God. Years later Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar,
had a party and decided to use the vessels of God that had been taken from
Jerusalem. God sees and knows all you do. America was created with the idea
that all men are created equal and the motto, in god we trust. As Belshazzar partied, a hand started writing on
the wall. Daniel was called in to interpret the handwriting on the wall. Daniel
again had to give a bad report: ‘You have been weighed in the balance and found
wanting. Tonight, your kingdom will be taken from you.’ God’s handwriting is on
the wall. Trouble is all around, to turn us to God. Love the Lord with all your
heart and your neighbor as yourself. Come off the stool of do nothing. Train
the children to follow God. We do whatever we want to do. The handwriting is on
the wall, Jesus is coming back again. Oct 27. God is Able. Daniel 3. As God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego He is able to deliver you. Oct 20. Dreams Daniel 2. Oct 13. Minister J. Frazier. Are You Pleasing God? Oct 6. Don’t Run from God. Jonah 1:1-2. If
you obey God, he will supply all your needs. Instead of Jonah doing what God
asked him to do, he did what he wanted to do. Jonah tried to run from the
presence of God. But there is no where to flee from God’s presence, Ps
139:7-10. God cares about the sinner and the saint. When we disobey God it’s as
if we are saying God does not know what He is doing. When you don’t obey God
you go down, down, down, just like Jonah. God prepared a fish to get Jonah
where He wanted him to be. God is able to bring you around. You cannot out run
God, He has all power. Accept Jesus as Savior and stop running. Serve God, love
God, obey God.
Sep 29. Rev J. Blake. Do You Hear the Call?
God is an equal opportunity employer. 1 Sam 2:35. What does God want you to be?
You may be good at many things but what is your calling? In Genesis 2:15 man is
given a purpose. Samuel was called by God. 1 Samuel 3:1-10. The Word of God was
precious. Hear the voice of God. Have an open ear to God. Samuel was about 11
years old when he heard the voice of God. Encourage our children to take part
in the work of the Lord now. In all you do, honor God. No matter your
occupation or position, you are never above the Lord. David as a young man killed
Goliath while the men of the army were afraid and did nothing. Take a stand as
did the three Hebrew boys. They determined to obey God even if it cost their
life in the fiery furnace. The young man Jesus was born to set us free. He was
obedient to His mother, father and to the Lord. If you hear the call, don’t run
from it. Don’t focus on your short comings, focus on God.
Sep 22. Don’t Forget God. Ps 9:17. Some of the things we forget are more
important than others. We forget where we put our keys. When trouble comes we
seem to forget where God has brought us. When sickness comes we seem to forget that God is a healer. When we are
blessed we forget to thank God for our blessings. The children of Israel
cried out to God when they were in slavery. God heard their prayer and
delivered them. He gave them a miracle at the Red Sea. He fed them with manor and
quails. He gave them water from a rock. But they forgot all God had done. Be
careful that you don’t forget God. Pride causes some to forget God. Focusing on
earthly things causes some to forget God. The wicked don’t seek God and nations
that forget God shall be turned into hell. We and our nation need to repent. We
need to pray. Jesus gave His life that we might live. Don’t forget God.
Sep
15. Sinners in The
Hands of an Angry God. Genesis 6:5-7. Sin is a conscious and responsive
wrongdoing as seen in relationship to God. A sinner is someone that practices
sin. We are all in God’s hands; and judgement is in God’s hands. God is a
loving God. God is kind and generous. God is a forgiving God. God is slow to
anger; but sin makes God angry. When God created man, He said it was good. But
during the time of our scripture text He was sorry He had made man. When
judgement comes there will be no repentance. There is no I’m sorry. There is no
forgiveness. Judgement is coming.
Now is the time to repent of your
sins and accept the Lord as your personal savior. Put God as number one in your
life. Rev 20:12-15. Don’t be found in the hands of an angry God when it comes
time to die. Accept the love of Jesus who died on the cross that we might live.
Sep
8. News That’s Too Good to Keep. John 1:41-46. God saved us to go
out and tell the good news to the lost. Jesus is the good news that is too good
to keep. Tell people about the goodness of
Jesus; tell them that Jesus saves. Celebrate when the lost are found. God gave
too much and paid too great a price for us not to share the news. Don’t hide what God has done for you. Tell it
that Jesus rose from the dead. This good news came down from heaven. Spread the
good news by (1) speaking it with your mouth (2) living it so people see Jesus
in you (3) following wherever Jesus leads. We walk by faith not by sight. Start
with your family as Andrew did. Tell people to come and see as Nathanial did. Jesus
died for our sins and rose from the dead. Jesus saves and is coming back again.
Don’t keep this good news to yourself. Jesus is Good News.
Sep 1. The Devil on His Cell Phone Calling 9-1-1. Isaiah
14:12-15. We have the victory. Because of Satan sin entered the world, Adam and
Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Cain killed his brother Able, Sodom and Gomorrah
were destroyed, Job was tormented by death and disease. Satan has been so
successful that hell has enlarged herself, Isaiah 5:14. Satan seeks to destroy
us but in Christ we have the victory. Satan tried to destroy Daniel, David, and
Joseph but God delivered them. Satan tried to destroy Jesus, but God raised Jesus
from the dead. Every day Satan is walking about like a roaring lion seeking to
destroy us, 1 Peter 5:8. Satan is trying to keep us from heaven. But Satan will
be brought down to hell to the sides of the pit. In Revelation, Satan is defeated.
When Satan faces judgement, he will want to call 9-1-1 but there is no one to
come to his rescue. Not God, Moses, Jesus or us. We have the victory. Rev
20:1-10. Don’t let Satan use you. Come to Jesus who died for you. Avoid Satan’s
fate of everlasting punishment.
Aug
25 God Expects the Best
From You. Luke 13:6-9. We are not accidents, God has a purpose for you. He has
a plan and He uses us in His plan. God expects the best from us and examines
our lives to see if we are bearing fruit. The Word of God hoe’s around us so we
will bear fruit. God wants a garden that produces. Jesus is the gardener – He gave
his life for us. He fertilizes us with the Word of God. God wants people to
bear fruit – not just look good. Train our children to bear fruit. God has
given you another chance to bear fruit but one day your chances will end. Stay
ready because we don’t know when God will return. God expects the best. God is
checking on you; are you producing fruit? God is looking for the fruit of the
Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance, Gal 5:22,23. God expects the best from you – He gave us his best; Jesus
died on the cross for us.
Aug 18 Rev. W. Thompson. Gen 13:8,9; Ps 133:1-3. God
Created Us to Live Together. David said
harmony is pleasant and precious. Though we disagree it should not lead to
division. Harmony gives us a foretaste of heaven. Harmony relieves tension. Ps
122:6-7, peace is more than the absence of conflict. To find real peace we must
find God. John 14:27, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Phil 4:6,7, peace that passes all
understanding. John 17:11. God created us to live with others. You may have to separate
but be there for each other. Intercede on behalf of your brothers. Love even if
you can’t hang together. We can have a common understanding - be witnesses, 1
Cor 1:8-11. 1 Cor 3:5. Isa 11:6. Learn to love all men. Let people see Jesus in
you. Release the hurt. God has greater for you.
Aug 11 How To Decide What’s Important – Priorities.
Matt 22:36-38. A shopping list will help keep you from spending time and money
on the wrong foods. We need to feed our
spiritual bodies with the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-23. Most do not
set priorities or do not live by the priorities they set. We can determine what is important by knowing
what is important to God. What are the priorities for life? It’s all in the
Book. Our first priority is to love God; Matt 22:36-36. We should love men even
if they don’t love us; Heb 13:1,2. Make
it a priority to follow Jesus; Matthew 16:24,25. Make it a priority to keep the
promises you have made to God. Make your priorities match God’s priorities.
Aug 3 The Eagle Stirs Her Nest. Deu 32:11-13. We
can see God in the eagle. God is swift: God had released Peter from jail while
the church was still praying. God has extraordinary sight: God can see the
frown behind the smile on your face. God is strong: thousands can lean on Him
at the same time. Sometimes God has to push us out of our comfort zone. When
God disturbs our nest, we begin to pray again. Our souls will soar when God releases us from
this mortal body.
July 28. Jesus must be the
Center of Your Life. Philippians 2:10-11. John 1:1-5. Our focus should be on Jesus.
We focus on too many things that distract us. The church focused on Jesus will
be on one accord. Put Jesus first and forward of all we do. No weapon formed
against us shall prosper. God will supply your every need when Jesus is the
center of your life. Knowing this allows us to focus on Jesus. Ask, seek, and
knock. Be good stewards of what God gives you. Focus on Jesus morning, noon,
evening and night. The devil tries to warp your mind. Keep your mind on Jesus:
love, forgive, let your light shine. Present your body as a living sacrifice.
Seek the Lord. Call on Him. We don’t know when death will come but when it does
you want Jesus as the center of your life.
July
21.
Spiritually Broken. Min E Frazier. Ps 51. To be spiritually broken is to be
crushed over sin. In Christ we are new creatures. David sought the Lord in his brokenness,
but he had to suffer the consequences. 2 Cor 7:10, God wants us to be
spiritually broken. There is a lack of remorse over sin in this world. God
desires a broken and contrite heart. Benefits of being spiritually broken:
draws us closer to God; Makes us pursue God’s presence; Shows us how desperately
we need Jesus Ps 34:18. God works in your brokenness; He is preparing you for
greater. No matter how low you are, if you become spiritually broken the Lord
will pull you up and out. Draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you.
Then walk with Him; being spiritually broken is the beginning.
July 14.
Dr. Mathis-Wisseh. Succeeding. Walk in the Light. Priscilla brought her husband
to the Lord. Lydia was a seeking woman. Deborah shows us that leadership comes
from character. Be the backbone of your husband and children. God prepares you
for what you go through. Leave an exemplary life before your children. We all
have a divine purpose. Stump Satan and lift Jesus. Phyllis Whitney, Harriet
Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune are examples for us. God has a plan for you. Move
when God tells you to love. Jer 29:11, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. June
30. Rev. E. Wade. Jud
13:1-5; 1 Sam 1:2-11. Samuel and Samson. Stay-In. Samson was to be a Nazarite, separated
unto the Lord. Samuel’s mother promised to give him back to God. One stayed in
the church and one strayed away. Parents keep your children in church. For our children
to continue to grow: teach them, pray for them, be good examples for them. Eli
was continually teaching Samuel even while his sons were going astray. Be with your
children so you know what is going on. Parents come to church and keep your
children in the house of God. Pray fervently. Make sure your children know who
He is, let them know you want them to know God. Though Samson strayed God avenged
him and he won the victory in the end. Stay in the church.
June 23. Matt 16:13-18. A Church The Devil Can’t
Handle. Jesus did not say the devil would not try to handle (control, manipulate)
but that he would not prevail. The church is a living organism, is fed by the
Word of God and is the body and bride of Christ. The devil can’t handle the
church because it can’t handle Jesus. With Jesus in us the devil can’t handle
us. To win the battle, keep your eyes on Jesus, keep God’s Word, have the
attitude of Christ and put God first. No weapon formed against us shall
prosper. Have faith in Jesus who gives us the victory.
June 16. Lk 15:11-18. Go to Your Father. Don't be too quick to leave your father.
The father no
doubt was looking everyday for his son to return. Father God is waiting on us
to come back home.
June 9. Matt 1:21. Fulfilling your Purpose.We
are here for a purpose. Daniel, Joseph, and Jesus all had a purpose. Love one
another: Jesus showed us how to love; He asked God to forgive those who crucified
Him. Love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul and your neighbor as
yourself. Our purpose, like Jesus, is to obey the Lord. He wanted to make His
Father well-pleased. Who are you trying to please? Jesus submitted to baptism
to set an example for the world. God announced at that time that He was well-pleased
with Jesus; Matt 3:13-17. The Devil will try to keep you from fulfilling
your purpose. Satan tempted Jesus after 40 days and nights of fasting, Matt
4:3-10. Resist the Devil with the Word of God. To fulfill our purpose, stay in
the Word. Your purpose is found in the Word. Sometimes you will need
encouragement. In Matt 17:1-5 we see Jesus receiving encouragement from Moses
and Elijah. Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Are you fulfilling your purpose? Praise the Lord. Jesus laid down his life and
picked it up again to save us and fulfill His purpose.
June 2. Matt
7:24-27. If I Could Do It All Over Again. We have done foolish things
and wouldn’t it be good if we could do it all over again. Differences between
the wise and foolish: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the
foolish fear nothing; the wise learn from the mistakes of others, the foolish learn
from no one’s mistakes; the wise prepare for the worse yet hope for the best,
the foolish does not prepare at all; A wise son
maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother; The
way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is
wise; The foolish find joy in doing evil, The wise follow the
commands of God and that makes them wiser than their enemies. Our scripture
tells us of the difference in being wise and foolish. Two possible foundations: the solid rock of Jesus or the
sinking sands of life without Jesus. We have a chance to start all over again
by accepting Jesus as Savior.
May 26. Rev Blake. John 1:1. Love.
May 19. Rev E. Wade. Eph 6:10-17. We have to be obedient to God to
succeed. God gives us His best; give God your best. Let those on the outside
see Jesus in us. Build one another up. Faith and God protect us when we are
tempted to doubt. But on the armor of
God. God gives us the gospel of peace. We have the helmet of God by believing
in God. The breastplate of righteousness- good, honest, standing up for the weaker
ones. Gently help people to grow with us. The belt of truth keeps us from
giving into the world. God’s word is our offensive weapon. The Holy Spirit
helps us see our wrong; correct it and turn it around. Put God first in all
things. Always strive for the best. Arm yourself with the Spirit of God.
May12.
Ps 103:22, 104:1. A Call to Gratitude.
Be grateful for all God does: the dangers you overcame, the fears that never happened,
the narrow escapes, the answered prayers. Children of all ages, be grateful for
your mother. Be grateful for a praying mother, one that sets a good example,
one that believes in you when no one else does, that disciplined you, that
taught you to obey, that taught you about God. 1 Kings 4. Be
grateful that God cares for us even better than a mother.
May 5. We Have Security
in Jesus. Ps 91. No matter what happens, God is there and we have no reason to
fear. Put your trust in God. The devil sets traps for you, but the Lord will
deliver you. Praise God for being our refuse. Live in the truth-it is our
shield. The shield of faith will block the fiery darts of the wicked. All
around the wicked fall but you stand because you praise God. Trust in the Lord
with all your heart, mine, and soul. We have security in Jesus.
Apr 28. He’s Coming Back.
Acts 1:8-11. Jesus died, rose, and ascended. We must do more than believe.
Faith without works is dead. Deny yourself. Get ready because Jesus is coming
back. Do not do anything that will keep you away from Jesus. The devil never
quits so keep holding onto Jesus. John 14. Where Jesus is, we will be. Jesus is
the way to the Father. Do what He says to do. When Jesus comes back every eye
will see Him, and every tongue will confess Him. Seek the Lord while He may be
found. Jesus is a friend. Live so people see Jesus in you. Jesus left on a
cloud and is coming back. God is unique in giving us what we need and what we
ask for. God is able and He is coming back again.
Apr
21. The Miracle on Calvary. Luke 23:33-43. Jesus worked many miracles when He
walked this earth. On Calvary He gave us all the opportunity for eternal life. God
still loves. Ask Jesus to remember you. No matter what you have done you can
call on Jesus. Jesus is ready to give you a place with Him. Thank God that He
rose. To God be the Glory.
Apr 14. The Lord Needs
You. Mark 11:1-4. God who created everything, that owns everything and everyone,
wants to use us. The Lord wants us to love and forgive one another, to be holy,
to compel men to come to Him. Do exactly what God tells you to do. The Lord can
use whoever or whatever He pleases: a fish for taxes, a rooster to condemn
Peter, a raven to feed Elijah, a spider to save David, a colt to ride triumphantly
into Jerusalem. The Lord wants to use you but don’t think He can’t get along without
you. Let Jesus ride in your life and He will take away the sinful habits. Let
God use your hands, feet, mouth, everything; surrender all to the Lord.
Apr 7. When A Man Finds God. 1 Sam 1:4-18. God knows
what is in your heart. Learn to pray for yourself. Give your children back to God.
God protected Samuel. Samuel heard the call of God. Do what God wants you to do
not what you want. The Holy Spirit will lead you. When you find God your whole
attitude changes. You are a new creature. You can forgive. You can get along
with anyone. You love. You don’t worry, because God will supply all you need.
Mar 31. Don’t Let Go. Min E. Frazier. Gen 32:22-32.
Mar 24. I've Got to Blow My Trumpet. Ezek 33:1-6. Everywhere you look in this world there is sin and sadness.
We need to call sin, sin. The world is separated, God wants to bring us
together. Through the Word, we can do what God wants us to do. The Bible is our
plumb-line not the ways of the world. God has called us to warn Christians and
non-Christians. Christians must obey the Word of God. Those who don’t know
Christ must accept Jesus as Savior. Hear the Word of God. Ezekiel preached the
Word to dry bones and they lived again. Jonah tried to run from blowing his trumpet
and ended up in the belly of a fish. When Jonah went to Nineveh and warned the
people, they repented. Train your children in the ways of God. When God tells
you to blow your trumpet, do it.
Mar 17. Man's Role in Society and Family. Rev 13:9. Dea Wade. Men must become better and stronger to continue their role as protector. Men have more opportunity today to be connected to their family. Men should be leaders. Lead in the home, 2 Tim 3:5. Follow the scriptures to improve relationships with wife and family. Be wise, use the knowledge around you, Prov 21:20. Tithe, Mal 3:10. Trust God, Eph 6:10-18. Hear. God is in charge. Ps 34:8.
Mar 10. God Will Provide. Ex 14:14. We can see how God
provided in the life of Moses and the children of Israel. God protected Moses
from death at his birth. God provided Aaron to assist when Moses said he was
unable to speak well. God provided a dry path through the Red Sea when there was
no way of escape. God changed bitter water to sweet. God provided meat and bread
for them to eat. God provided the law to direct them. God provided protection
from poisonous snakes. Those that looked up were healed. We must look up to
Jesus and be healed; and God will provide.
Mar 3. Even Now. John 11:21-22. No matter what you are
going through God can bring you out. Despite what seems like impossible odds,
even now God is able. Trust God to deliver you even now.
Feb 24. Making A Difference. 1 John 1:5-7. Many people
have made a difference throughout history. Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas,
George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington were all born slaves and made
a difference in the lives of many. Martin Luther King, Jr, helped end segregation
and won the Nobel Peace Prize; he made a difference in the lives of many. We
can make a difference no matter where we were born or who our parents are. You
can bring light into a dark world. Walk in the light and make a difference.
Pray for others, love, let your light shine. But the greatest difference maker was Jesus
Christ. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger. He temporarily gave up
heaven to bring light into this world. He died so we could live. Jesus continues
to make a difference. Are you making a difference?
Feb 17. We Are All
one. Gen 1:26. Rev J. Blake
Feb 10. Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone. Acts 9:10-19.
Min J Frazier. God calls us out of our comfort zone because He want to stretch
our boundaries, He wants us to witness Him using us in amazing ways, and He
wants us to depend on Him.
Feb 3. The Beatitudes. Matthew 5:1-16. We are blessed
if we have a humble opinion of ourselves; mourn over our sinfulness; pull
together; strive for righteousness; are forgiving and compassionate; are
honest, true and sincere in all things; devote ourselves to making peace; do
not flee but stand for God; people speak evil of us falsely for the sake Jesus.
Christians bring out the best in this world. We are the light of the world. Let
your light shine so men everywhere can see your light. Glorify the Father in
heaven. Live by the beatitudes.
Jan 27. Sowing and Reaping; It’s Coming Up Again. Gal
6:7. The principle of sowing and reaping cannot be denied. This text applies to
everyone: individual, saint, sinner, families, churches, nations. This life is
like a field and we must be careful what we plant. Weeds grow without planting;
be sure to pull the weeds out of your life. When you sow, expect to reap.
Expect to reap the same kind of seeds you plant. You cannot avoid the harvest. Whatever
you sow, it is coming up again. Be careful what you do, what you say, what you
think. Jezebel, Ahab and Elijah in 1 Kings 21 and 22 give a dramatic example of
sowing and reaping. Sow to the Spirit and not the flesh to reap eternal life.
Jan 20. God So Loved the World. John 3:16-18.
Take time to think about how God loved us. He gave His only Son to die on the
cross so we could be saved. How great is that love. God sacrificed his only Son
and forgives us because of His great love. God’s love is seen in the woman
caught in adultery. It is seen in prayer-we can come boldly and find mercy and
grace to help in trouble. Nothing can separate us from God’s great love. Love
one another with God’s love. God’s love is so great that He loved us while we
were still sinners. Jesus died a painful death on the cross because of His love
for us. Love the Lord and you will have eternal life. Spread the love.
Jan 13. Prayer. James 5:16-18. Prayer should be a two-way
communication. Faith is the foundation of prayer. By faith we believe Jesus as
Savior, that God hears prayer, and that God is able and willing to answer
prayer. Worship reminds us that God is what matters; worship put the focus on God
and not ourselves. Confession prepares us.
The holiness of God calls for repentance of sin. Isaiah 6:5; 1 John 1:9.
Praise expresses our admiration for the one we cherish and respect, Ps 150:2,
119:164. Thanksgiving expresses appreciation for what God has already done. Thank
God for His forgiveness, for hearing our prayers, for Jesus Christ, for
Salvation, for the Holy Ghost. No matter what comes your way, start with
prayer. Prov 16:3, Psalm 127:1.
Jan 6, 2019. Get Rid of The Trash. Gal 5:14-18. Christians
are not allowed to be selective about what trash he should throw away. Just a
small amount of trash can be harmful or deadly. We sometimes put ourselves
before God; that is trash. We can have no god before God. Paul gives a partial
list of trash in Galatians: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, indecency,
idolatry, witchcraft, disharmony, jealously, wrath, strife, rebellions,
heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelings and similar acts. Evaluate your
life for the trash you need to get rid of. Fill up with the fruit of the
Spirit: love (fulfills all the law), joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. These will keep out the trash. Walk in
the Spirit and get rid of the trash for 2019.