In Scriptures, there are only 3 spiritual temperatures that you and I can live as:
1- Cold. If you are spiritually cold, you are dead to the things of God. The Lord is not first place in your life, you don't care to hear him, nor do you have any interest in Him. When you are spiritually cold, you refuse the gentle, yet strong convictions of the Holy Spirit. In fact, you may not even feel convicted by things that are not pleasing to the Lord. A cold heart is heart that is dead.
2- Lukewarm. You may think this is better than being cold, but the word says that one who is lukewarm is makes God sick. If you are lukewarm, you are saved but like the world. You are not completely abandoned or surrendered to God. You like what you like and you make your own decisions in life, leaving God at a distance. You are unwilling to get very close to Jesus. In fact, one foot is in the Lord, and one is in the world. If you are lukewarm, you are ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Though you brag of your relationship with God, no one is attracted to this God of yours. The verdict is in the evidence of your lukewarm temperature.
3- Hot. This is God's will and desire for you. In fact, He wants this to be your desire. The Bible says in the book of Acts that Apollos' temperature for the Lord was fiery hot! He had great passion for the Lord and it was evident in his passion to teach the Word. His life was Christ. When you are fiery hot spiritually, you surrender and obey, not matter what. You look different than the world. Your convictions overcome compromise. Your life is Christ, not wrapped up in yourself. People are attracted to this Savior of yours. You refuse to be private about the Lord, but are unashamed of the gospel.
What's your temperature?
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
WE ARE BACK!
It has been a long while since we have been bloggin. We are back for some thoughts on the Word for your devotions, church announcements and calendar updates, testimonies...
Please use this too as a soundboard, feedback, testimonies, or even prayer requests.
Check the blog daily, at least weekly!
God bless and enjoy!
Please use this too as a soundboard, feedback, testimonies, or even prayer requests.
Check the blog daily, at least weekly!
God bless and enjoy!
Monday, June 9, 2008
BELIEVER'S SCHOOL STARS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18
Don't miss Believer's School starting on Wednesday, June 18, 7pm. We are starting Discipleship Track #1 with "A New Beginning."
This is a foundational class for the believer and will answer many basic questions since coming to faith in Christ. Whether you have been a Christian for 1 day or 50 years, you will be encouraged and challenged in your faith.
See you there!
This is a foundational class for the believer and will answer many basic questions since coming to faith in Christ. Whether you have been a Christian for 1 day or 50 years, you will be encouraged and challenged in your faith.
See you there!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
Why do we limit God? It's amazing how we put our natural tendencies onto God. We can't so He can't. Or we say God can't so we can't.
Have you ever really thought about God lately? I mean really understand His reputation? Speaking the universe into being? Parting the Red Sea? Placing the earth in its perfect orbit and rotation? Creating the Grand Canyon? Placing our sun in its place without getting burned? Being born through a human being? Raising a dead girl to life? Telling a man held to his wheel chair to get up and walk suddenly? Walking on water without skis? Telling a thief on the cross next to Him that he will go to Paradise with Jesus soon?
I mean what's the deal? It's true what God's word says: nothing is impossible with God!
So why are we insecure? Why aren't we bold to do what God wants us to do? Why do we think that the world is the only that excels to be bold, creative, fun, excellent, and memorable? Why can the church still act so sheepishly when the Lion of Judah reigns in their hearts? Why do we think so little of ourselves and what we can accomplish when God orders our steps, fills us with His presence, promises us the grace and wisdom to do it, and exhorts us to get God's vision for our lives?
We limit what we can do cause we limit God. We stand sit in the seat of mediocraty because we think God wants great things only for other people. But God wants us to get His vision. Imagine that! God has a vision for your life- one of purpose, power, blessing, and one that brings glory to His name.
The sky's the limit. Nothing is impossible with God. So stop planning and living your life based on you and get His vision and will for your life. When you finally take the dip of surrender to His purpose and perfect vision for you, life will never the same. Neither for you or others. Dream, believe, obey, and worship an incredible God!
Have you ever really thought about God lately? I mean really understand His reputation? Speaking the universe into being? Parting the Red Sea? Placing the earth in its perfect orbit and rotation? Creating the Grand Canyon? Placing our sun in its place without getting burned? Being born through a human being? Raising a dead girl to life? Telling a man held to his wheel chair to get up and walk suddenly? Walking on water without skis? Telling a thief on the cross next to Him that he will go to Paradise with Jesus soon?
I mean what's the deal? It's true what God's word says: nothing is impossible with God!
So why are we insecure? Why aren't we bold to do what God wants us to do? Why do we think that the world is the only that excels to be bold, creative, fun, excellent, and memorable? Why can the church still act so sheepishly when the Lion of Judah reigns in their hearts? Why do we think so little of ourselves and what we can accomplish when God orders our steps, fills us with His presence, promises us the grace and wisdom to do it, and exhorts us to get God's vision for our lives?
We limit what we can do cause we limit God. We stand sit in the seat of mediocraty because we think God wants great things only for other people. But God wants us to get His vision. Imagine that! God has a vision for your life- one of purpose, power, blessing, and one that brings glory to His name.
The sky's the limit. Nothing is impossible with God. So stop planning and living your life based on you and get His vision and will for your life. When you finally take the dip of surrender to His purpose and perfect vision for you, life will never the same. Neither for you or others. Dream, believe, obey, and worship an incredible God!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A GENEROUS HEART
Have you ever prayed to the Lord, "Lord, I want to be like you." When praying that prayer, we desire to think, say, and act the way God does. We want to take on His nature: to be loving, full of grace, all wise, power, etc. But did you know that God is generous? To be like God is to be a generous giver.
Think about it. God gives us life, food, shelter, clothing, laughter, every spiritual blessing, finances, rest, and the list goes on.
What about you? Are you always looking to see what you can get, receive, and take? Is your heart selfish, only thinking about your needs and desires?
Or do you think of others? Even in your need, do you think of how to bless someone else less fortunate than you? Are you looking for ways to bless others?
God's word says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. God knows better! He gave us His one and only Son so that we can have eternal life. In the same way, when we give back to God with our tithe, and when we look for churches, ministries, and people who are in need and we give according to what God says to (not because of guilt or being manipulated), God is pleased, people are ministered to in a huge way, and you will get a return much more than what you give.
Remember, whatever is ours is not really ours, it's God's. He is looking to make you like Himself, a generous giver. He rewards faithful stewards of what He owns. And He is longing to give you much more than what you can even long to give!
Think about it. God gives us life, food, shelter, clothing, laughter, every spiritual blessing, finances, rest, and the list goes on.
What about you? Are you always looking to see what you can get, receive, and take? Is your heart selfish, only thinking about your needs and desires?
Or do you think of others? Even in your need, do you think of how to bless someone else less fortunate than you? Are you looking for ways to bless others?
God's word says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. God knows better! He gave us His one and only Son so that we can have eternal life. In the same way, when we give back to God with our tithe, and when we look for churches, ministries, and people who are in need and we give according to what God says to (not because of guilt or being manipulated), God is pleased, people are ministered to in a huge way, and you will get a return much more than what you give.
Remember, whatever is ours is not really ours, it's God's. He is looking to make you like Himself, a generous giver. He rewards faithful stewards of what He owns. And He is longing to give you much more than what you can even long to give!
Monday, February 18, 2008
COMMIT
Commitment today is not a popular word nor is it a popular practice. If you were honest, you would see a lack of commitment in many facets of life.
People go into marriage not committing, but just trying. Many say they "fall out of love," not understanding that marriage is a holy covenant. Many can be called "church hoppers" or "church stoppers." People go from church to church, following any emotional hipe and never getting grounded in one local assembly. The church stoppers just quit going to church, not wanting to build relationships with others because of hurt, mispriorities, and/or false expectiations that the church will be absolutely perfect. Parents may not commit to their word to their children, letting them down continually. Businesses don't keep their commitment to consumers. And the list goes on and on.
You may be the kind of person that says you don't like commitment. Actually, you do. What do I mean? Well, do you like it when someone follows through with their promise to you? Are you glad when the bank tells you something and follows through? You are probably thankful that every Friday your employment is committed to paying you. Your grocery store is committed to providing food. The post office is committed to delivering mail every day. God is committed to loving you each day. And so on.
You see, we like commitment when we are the recipient- it's powerful and a blessing. But it's another thing to be the one who commits to someone or something else. Just remember, when you don't stick to it, when you lack commitment, you remove the opportunity to be a great blessing and testimony of God's nature to someone else. As tough as it is to take, bottom line, that is complete selfishness and pride.
Are you committed? To be committed is to be like the Lord. God's nature is to be committed, not matter what happens. Be like Jesus. Commit to your spouse, your family, your church, your God. An abundant life awaits those who commit!
People go into marriage not committing, but just trying. Many say they "fall out of love," not understanding that marriage is a holy covenant. Many can be called "church hoppers" or "church stoppers." People go from church to church, following any emotional hipe and never getting grounded in one local assembly. The church stoppers just quit going to church, not wanting to build relationships with others because of hurt, mispriorities, and/or false expectiations that the church will be absolutely perfect. Parents may not commit to their word to their children, letting them down continually. Businesses don't keep their commitment to consumers. And the list goes on and on.
You may be the kind of person that says you don't like commitment. Actually, you do. What do I mean? Well, do you like it when someone follows through with their promise to you? Are you glad when the bank tells you something and follows through? You are probably thankful that every Friday your employment is committed to paying you. Your grocery store is committed to providing food. The post office is committed to delivering mail every day. God is committed to loving you each day. And so on.
You see, we like commitment when we are the recipient- it's powerful and a blessing. But it's another thing to be the one who commits to someone or something else. Just remember, when you don't stick to it, when you lack commitment, you remove the opportunity to be a great blessing and testimony of God's nature to someone else. As tough as it is to take, bottom line, that is complete selfishness and pride.
Are you committed? To be committed is to be like the Lord. God's nature is to be committed, not matter what happens. Be like Jesus. Commit to your spouse, your family, your church, your God. An abundant life awaits those who commit!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
DO YOU LOVE TO SERVE?
God's kingdom is so different and at the opposite end of this world's kingdom.
For instance, to be a servant of someone here in this world is to be of lesser value and position many times. Everyone here would rather be waited on instead of wait on someone else. Think about it. Would you rather cook a big dinner and serve people, buy the meal, wash dishes, etc? Or would you rather go to your favorite restaurant and just order your favorite meal and relax? To me, a waiter or waitress serving me dinner is much more fun than cooking my own has been meal!
In God's kingdom, serving is greater than being served. Interestingly enough, Jesus actually says that the greatest in God's kingdom is the one who serves! Jesus as our example says that He didn't come to be served, but to serve! Incredible! The King of the universe, the One who is all-powerful and alone worthy of worship and the one who deserves to be served, actually served even the dirtiest of sinners. He served His disciples, the unlovely, the hurting, the unpopular, the sinner, the sick.
What about you? Do you find yourself complaining about serving people? Do you find that doing something for God is a burden rather than a joy? Are you hungry to serve in the church where there is need and where you are gifted?
When you know where you've come from and appreciate God's grace for your salvation, serving will come naturally. When you realize that all who you are and all that you have comes only from the God who created you, you will have humility to serve. When you love people and want the best for their lives, you will serve. When you hunger to be Jesus to people to give hope and encouragement, you will serve. When you realize that nothing can be added to your salvation or God's love, you will serve with joy and freedom! When you focus on the Savior who served to the point of a brutal death, you will serve with no complaining or serve because of guilt.
"And whatever you do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23)
For instance, to be a servant of someone here in this world is to be of lesser value and position many times. Everyone here would rather be waited on instead of wait on someone else. Think about it. Would you rather cook a big dinner and serve people, buy the meal, wash dishes, etc? Or would you rather go to your favorite restaurant and just order your favorite meal and relax? To me, a waiter or waitress serving me dinner is much more fun than cooking my own has been meal!
In God's kingdom, serving is greater than being served. Interestingly enough, Jesus actually says that the greatest in God's kingdom is the one who serves! Jesus as our example says that He didn't come to be served, but to serve! Incredible! The King of the universe, the One who is all-powerful and alone worthy of worship and the one who deserves to be served, actually served even the dirtiest of sinners. He served His disciples, the unlovely, the hurting, the unpopular, the sinner, the sick.
What about you? Do you find yourself complaining about serving people? Do you find that doing something for God is a burden rather than a joy? Are you hungry to serve in the church where there is need and where you are gifted?
When you know where you've come from and appreciate God's grace for your salvation, serving will come naturally. When you realize that all who you are and all that you have comes only from the God who created you, you will have humility to serve. When you love people and want the best for their lives, you will serve. When you hunger to be Jesus to people to give hope and encouragement, you will serve. When you realize that nothing can be added to your salvation or God's love, you will serve with joy and freedom! When you focus on the Savior who served to the point of a brutal death, you will serve with no complaining or serve because of guilt.
"And whatever you do, do it HEARTILY, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23)
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