Get grounded in the Word!

As we move on thinking about the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, one of the obvious things we must do is get grounded well in the Word of God. That sects 2:42ems simple enough but few really know what the Bible says , and few have ever read and studied their Bibles from cover to cover.



If we want to be on fire for God we must slow down, get our priorities right and read the Word. Acts 2:42 shows us why the early church was on Fire for God:



Acts 2:42

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.



The apostles' doctrine here is the Word of God! Notice is says steadfastly, not once in a great while, but daily. Notice they also gathered together for fellowship which is a picture of the church. Breaking of bread symbolizes the Lord's Supper, and they prayed! All these are keys to being on fire for God through the leading of the Holy Spirit.



How much we are in God's Word will show how strong we are in our faith, I can't emphasis this enough!. Billy Graham said "If he was to start over and was told he only had 3 years of ministry, He would study for two years and preach for one." That shows us the importance of Knowing God's Word!



We can not really know God without knowing His Word. That is part of the problem with Christians today...they say what they think the Bible says instead of WHAT the Bible really says because they are not reading it!



1. Study the Word



2 Timothy 2:15

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.



2. Meditate (think on) the Word.



Psalm 1:2



2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.



3.Pray for understanding of the Word.



Proverbs 2:3



3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,



Psalm 119:18



18 Open my eyes, that I may see

Wondrous things from Your law.



4. Memorize the Word.



Psalm 119:11



11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.



Then apply the Word to your life through the leading of the Holy Spirit:



Colossians 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.



So my friends, how grounded are you in the Word? Get busy, the Spirit will light your fire if you are digging into the Word!



Tom

Filled with the Spirit!

Continuing our look at the Holy Spirit, today i want to look at being filled with the Spirit. In the old testament the Holy Spirit did not indwell the believer at all times. He would come and go. When Christ ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit, He now dwells in those who have called upon Jesus as Lord and Savior. That is great news because our Helper is always with us to guide us in all things....IF we will allow Him too!

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

1. To be filled with the Spirit means to be moved along by God. He is our source for motivation. Following the commands of God become a delight not a burden. This is why John could write this:

1 John 5:3

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

2. Being filled brings filling every area of our life under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We do not pick and choose where we want the Spirit and where we do not...although we do! We are to allow the Spirit in everything we think, say and do, for the is the will of God.

3. Being filled with the Spirit means we are under His control! We have to allow Him to control us not anger, fear, jealousy, or any other trick of the devil! We need to even throw self in there....let the Spirit control us not our own selfish desires!

Galatians 5:16
 Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

So are you under the control of the Spirit right now? Or something else? To be on fire for God, we must allow the Spirit to control us....pray and ask God to help you get under the Spirits control!

Tom

You have unbelievable POWER!

If you are believer and follower of Christ, you have power that is beyond our comprehension through the Holy Spirit! Sadly most of us want to rely on our own weak selves instead of the mighty power of God! When we rely on our selves then we can't make much of a difference for Jesus, but when we rely on the Holy Spirit nothing is impossible!



Look back at the early church. Jesus had gone and they were huddled in fear waiting for some gift that Jesus told them would come:



Acts 1:4



The Holy Spirit Promised

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;



All the disciples needed power beyond themselves to move for God, that power was this promised Holy Spirit.



All of us would like to know when Jesus is coming back but that is not our concern...we have a task at hand, to bring the gospel to others. God gives us all opportunities to do a mighty work for Him! Focus on the task at hand! We need a power beyond ourselves to do this just like the disciples did, we also have it in the Holy Spirit to accomplish all tasks God has for us.



The early church had amazing things take place...many being saved, miracles happening, people being healed, sharing their goods with each other, why isn't this happening today? Because we are not relying on the same power, we are only doing what we can do in our own power!



A.W. Tozer said and I am going to paraphrase that the early church accomplished 90% of what they did through the Holy Spirit and amazing things happened, today the church only accomplishes 10% through the Holy Spirit thus not much is happening! I would have to agree!



We must remember...God can still work through us Christians today just as He did in the early church but we must get back to the basics...God's Word, use the power of the Holy Spirit, and prayer!



The Holy Spirit is not a feeling to be felt as much as it is a power to help us accomplish God's will in believer's lives! God's power is to be used in our daily lives in and outside of the church. Here is what God's Word says about his power:



Acts 1:8

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”



When the followers of God in the early church received the Holy Spirit look at the change it made in them...remember they were hiding before the Spirit but when the Spirit came look at the change:



Acts 4:20



20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”



Nothing or no one could shut them up about Jesus and believe me many tried to stop them! We are to do the same...proclaim the name of Jesus! Share our faith no matter the cost!



The followers of God were transformed and powerful through the Holy spirit, they were on fire!



You have the same power as they did, are you using it?



Tom

How to reignite the fire!

Yesterday we talked about how the Holy Spirit is missing in most churches today which means it is missing in most individual lives. If you are saved He is there but His leading is being ignored and the fire has faded. So what can we do the stoke this fire back up?



1. YOU have to revive that fire!



Read the book of Acts and see the fire they had in the early church. You must open the door to the Holy Spirit so it can work. You must have the daily disciplines of worship which are Bible Study, prayer, and faithful service. Welcome God's direction to your everyday routines!



2. Open your life to others.



The reason for this is so they can be set on fire too! We must develop a unity and a oneness with others in Christ! We have to reach out and disciple others. It is a must! Are you willing to disciple others like Jesus and the early church did? Not only will they learn but you will learn also!



3. You must be prepared to maintain the fire.



The devil and others will do all they can to extinguish the fire of the Holy Spirit so be prepared.



2 Timothy 3:12



12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.



Acts 14:22



22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”



It is hard work to follow Jesus...He told us it would be. If you are comfortable in your walk with God then chances are you probably aren't doing much for God...that is what the Bible says!



The revival must start with you! We will go more in depth with these 3 points over the next few days. Hold on God is going to to do a great work in you through the Holy Spirit if you will let Him!



Tom

What is missing in most churches?

Have you ever wondered why our churches are not like what we read about the early church in the Bible? Really it is not hard to figure out. John the Baptist told the early church what would happen when Jesus arrived on the scene:



Matthew 3:11



11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.



Jesus was going to send something very powerful...the Holy Spirit! Which he told the disciples right before He ascended back to heaven:



Acts 1:4-5



4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”



Acts 1:8



8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”



Ten days later the Holy Spirit came and filled 120 believers at Pentecost and they turned the world upside down for Jesus. They went from hiding for fear of loosing their lives to sharing the love of Jesus at any cost including some gruesome deaths! What was the difference? The Holy Spirit filled them and they had a fire for Christ. Today that fire is missing in most churches! We need a revival in our churches and see people as Christ sees people! They need Jesus, they need love, they need acceptance, they need the Word of God!



So how would you rate your church about being on fire for Jesus? Over the next few days we will look at what we can do to rekindle the fire through the Holy Spirit.



Tom

Godly nation?

A few years back some statistics were from a study at Graduate School of the City University of New York:



*9 out of 10 Americans say they have never doubted the existence of God

*9 out of 10 say they still pray

*8 out of 10 believe God still works miracles

*7 out of 10 believe in life after death

*7 out of 8 identify with a Christian denomination



A Gallop poll found a high percentage of Americans believe in life after death and that 60% believe in damnation in hell. 96% believe in God and 60% believe the Bible is the Word of God and should be followed.



Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Until you see statistics like this:



*Over 50% of marriages end in divorce.

*More than a million children a year are affected by divorce.

*60% of children born in the 1990's were living in single parent households.

*69% of Americans believe there are few absolutes, they believe right and wrong depend on the situation!



Something is very wrong here! Few moral absolutes yet believe in the Bible? The Bible is absolutes....God's way! America appears so spiritual in polls but when we look at life, decisions being made, church attendance, government decisions, abortion, prisons, ect, it is very easy to determine we have fallen of the wagon of faithful followers of God.



Isaiah 29:13

Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,



2 Chronicles 7:14

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.



It don't matter who is President, if you are a democrat, republican, independent, if you are white, black, how much money you make or anything else, America will continue to deceive its self and go down hill until we turn to God in everything! The Bible is truth and we must obey and follow what it says!



As a whole we are NOT a godly nation right now but we can be if we repent and turn to God.



Tom

Do all to the glory of God!

I ran across this verse yesterday and wanted to share it with you all:



1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.



If we do everything and I mean everything for the glory of God it would help us to walk with Jesus more faithfully. Think about it for a moment...raising your kids for the glory of God, living your marriage out for the glory of God, doing your job for the glory of God, doing your hobbies for the glory of God, going to church for the glory of God, serving Jesus for the glory of God and on and on.



I believe we all would have to make some changes in our lives if we did everything for the glory of God. For example...can you get drunk for the glory of God....No. Can you watch tv or movies that promote ungodly things for the glory of God...no.



Something to chew on again this morning. Brothers and sisters let us live every second for the glory of God!



Tom

Think your wise?

If one thinks they are wise in this world of ours, God's Word has news for them!



1 Corinthians 3:18-20

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”



I have found it very interesting that the smarter the person the harder it seems to be for them to accept Jesus. Have you ever noticed that? I think when a person is very smart they know it and humility becomes very hard for them. When one is very smart God tells us in these verses you must become a fool to become wise. What that means is we must admit we are sinners! Who wants to admit that? The one who realizes we are nothing before the Almighty God and the only hope we have is in Jesus who takes away the sins of the world. God goes on to tell us in these verses that what the world counts as wisdom is foolishness to God! For the wise get caught up in their own wisdom and forget about God! Until we become fools and turn to Jesus, all our ways are futile!



So let me ask you this morning, are you wise or are you a fool? Be careful how you answer! I am a fool and I know it!



Tom

Reject long enough...no longer be saved!

In our revival services last week another set of verse was pointed out to us that I want to share this morning. Read them very closely:



John 12:35-40



35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:



“Lord, who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:



40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,

Lest they should see with their eyes,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.”



Basically what these verses are saying is that Jesus reveals himself to us many times. If we continue to reject Him, there may come a time when He blinds us and we will no longer have the ability to be healed of our sin(saved). Wow! Think about that for a while. This same thought is taught in quenching the Holy Spirit:



Acts 7:51-52

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,





1 Thessalonians 5:19

19 Do not quench the Spirit.



Matthew 12:32

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.



Mark 3:29

but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”





Quench means resist, what this is saying is if you continue to deny the Holy Spirit eventually you will not be able to hear him at all thus you will not hear the call of God to be saved.



It is very important that we listen to the helper God sent sent to us which is the Holy Spirit. It would be a terrible thing to keep putting off the call of God and get to the point where He would not call us anymore to be saved!



Something to chew on this Monday morning!



Tom

If you hear believe NOW!

We ended our revival services on Wednesday! It was an awesome week and several were saved. I wanted to give you something to chew on over the weekend. The evangelist closed the last night of services some scripture I had not thought about in some time. They will give you urgency in seeing your family, friends, and others be saved!



2 Thessalonians 2:9-12



9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.



What these verses are talking about is the tribulation, which is the time after Jesus has come and taken His people out of this world and those left behind who are unsaved. The lawless one is the anti-Christ. Verse 10 tells us something you need to catch and remember! It is telling us that those who had a chance to be saved before the tribulation will not be saved during the tribulation! Why because they had their chance and verse 11 says God will send a strong delusion upon them and they will believe the lies of the anti-Christ! They will be condemned to hell because they did not believe the truth of the gospel but had pleasure in unrighteousness.....WOW! Now there will be some who never heard the gospel and they will have a chance still at receiving Christ but it will be very hard!



We need to share the love of Jesus and let folks know if they reject Jesus they may never accept Him! Something to ponder this weekend!



Tom

Deny Self!

We had a great revival service this week. Many were saved to the glory of God. But I can't get a thought off my mind this morning. Something is wrong in the church. How can we go to the ball park every night off the week with our kids but not make it to worship God when the doors are open? How can we choose to fish or hunt over God when the doors are open to the church? How can we choose to to make a few extra bucks at work (many times we have a choice) rather than worshiping God when the church doors are open? You can add whatever that keeps you from worshiping God when the church doors are open. Selfishness is the answer plain and clear! I have been so blessed this week, and would have missed out had I chosen to stay at home. I will close with this verse...it is very simple and very clear. Don't argue with me over excuses, argue with God!



Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.



Tom

Are we thinking like God?

We had another great revival service last night. The teaching was awesome and again I want to share it with you. So here we go!



In the book of Isaiah God tells us something very important for us to remember:



Isaiah 55:8-9





8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.



God makes it very clear here that He thinks differently than we do. Here is the challenge, He wants us to think like Him! Not that we ever be like God but he wants us to train ourselves to have the mind of God!



1 Corinthians 2:15-16



15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.



Have you ever thought about having the mind of Christ? To train ourselves in righteousness and holiness as to be like Jesus? It is a tough thing to do! So let me share with you what the Pastor shared last night in his message called "More than we think":



1. We are more sinful than we think!



We tend to compare ourselves to others instead of Christ so we often think we aren't so bad compared to the drunk next door. The problem with that is we are sinners and we sin everyday! God hates sin and can not even look upon sin. It is very dangerous to get the mindset of comparing ourselves to others, we are sinners and more than we think.



2. We are more accountable to God than we think we are!



All of us will stand before God in judgement. We will give an account for our lives. How often do we think about being accountable before the Almighty God? If we spent a little more time thinking about that we may live a more holy life!



3. The way to heaven is more narrow than we think!



I have said this for years myself. Jesus warned us about this and said to be very careful for the way is narrow...so narrow that following Jesus with our lives is the ONLY way to get down that path! Society is trying to convince us that there are many paths.....oh my friends don't be fooled for Jesus said himself:



John 14:6



6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.



4. The way to hell is more broad and terrible than we think!



Did you know God never intended hell for man whom He created in His own image? God created hell for the devil and his demons. God desires that none should perish. He leaves that choice to each one of us. Hell is a horrible place. Words can not describe how lonely, painful, and torturous it will be! On top of that to know thousands enter hell every day because they refused Christ is a troublesome thought. It is easy to go to hell, but it is work to be a faithful follower of Christ, but trust me my friends, it is the most rewarding work you will ever do.



5. Eternity is longer and time is shorter than we think!



I am not sure our minds can truly grasp how long eternity is but that don't make it ant less real. Millions of years from now those who have trusted in Jesus will still be rejoicing in heaven with our Savior! On the other hand those who rejected Christ will still be suffering in hell....wow think on that for a moment.



Time here on earth is short. When wee are young it seems we are gonna last for ever. As we age we realize time is flying by and the grace is coming fast. The good news though is if you love Jesus you won't be in that grave when death comes you will be with Jesus! Your body will join you one day but your spirit will be gone to heaven! Praise be to God!



So as you see there is much more to our walk than what we think, the question is are you thinking like God or like the world?



Tom

Great teaching on bible and homosexuality!

Shellfish, Mixed Fabrics, and Homosexuality: Picking and Choosing?

by Mike Riccardi

Once again, a brilliant post of Jesse’s has stimulated a lot of discussion. Yesterday’s post, in which Jesse shared four thoughts regarding Chick-Fil-A Day, sparked a ton of discussion in the comment thread.
Among other issues, a couple of commenters listed a number of popular arguments for why homosexuality is reconcilable with Christianity. For today and tomorrow, I’d like to address a couple of those arguments that I encounter most often. My hope is that I might serve those who erroneously believe that faith in Jesus and His Word can be reconciled with attempts to legitimize homosexuality.
The objection I want to address today basically boils down to this: “There are plenty other commands in Scripture that Christians don’t follow today, like the prohibition against mixing fabrics (Lev 19:19) or eating shellfish (Lev 11:10–12) and pork (Lev 11:7–8). So why not one more?”
Unbiblical Reasoning
First, I just want to observe that this kind of reasoning is patently unbiblical. The argument concedes that the Bible does indeed condemn homosexuality. We’re not getting an argument from these folks on that. They’re just giving a reason for why we should ignore more of what the Bible clearly says. “We disobey God’s Word all over the place. Why should disobeying His commands against homosexuality be any different?”
If you find yourself thinking this way, I just want to plead with you to realize that this is just not the way a Christian thinks about God’s Word. Someone who loves God in the Person of Jesus Christ does not look for ways to legitimize their disobedience or to free themselves from what He’s actually said. The one who loves God loves His Word. The Word of God is the delight of the child of God (see Psalm 119; Job 23:12; Jer 15:16). If God’s Word is something you feel you have to get around or escape, please examine whether you’re truly a Christian at all.
The Purpose of the Law
But aside from the fact that a Christian simply doesn’t reason this way, this objection fails to understand the purposes of the Mosaic Law, and how the Christian under the New Covenant is to relate to the Law given under the Sinaitic Covenant. This isn’t an easy theological issue, and so to some degree I understand the confusion over this issue. But Scripture gives a clear answer, so try to stick with me.
To Set God’s People Apart
For one thing, these civil and ceremonial regulations functioned to set Israel apart from all the other nations. No other nation cared about eating animals that didn’t chew cud or wearing clothes woven with two different fabrics. No other nation let a perfectly good day of work (and profits) slip through their fingers by resting on Saturday. In all these restrictions, God’s design was for Israel—His people—to be different than all the nations. And He wanted them to be different from the nations because He was different than the gods of the nations.
But God’s people are no longer confined to a particular nation. They are no longer bound by physical, national, or even cultural boundaries (Eph 2:12). The Church is not a civil government or a theocracy, but a spiritual building (Eph 2:21–22). Because of that, we’re not set apart by obeying laws about fabrics, foods, lengths of beards, and days of rest, but by our moral purity and holiness. We are to come out from all moral impurity and uncleanness, and are to be separate, for the Holy God walks in our midst (2 Cor 6:14–7:1).
To Point God’s People to a Savior
So, one function of the Mosaic Law was to set God’s people—the nation of Israel—apart in tangible, physical ways in order to show His own uniqueness.
But the Law was also given to Israel for another purpose: to illustrate God’s standard of righteousness, to show how far short of that standard His people fall, and ultimately to point them to a Savior to provide that righteousness.
Under the Mosaic Covenant, a right relationship with God depended on compliance with all of what He had said. If someone broke God’s Law, that was sin, and sin demanded a punishment. God made a provision to punish His people’s sin in a substitute, and so the sacrificial system was instituted. The consistent bloody exercise of animal sacrifice was designed to make clear to Israel that God was infinitely holy and that He took sin seriously. Day after day, year after year, all of Israel would offer sacrifices for their sins. And one thing they were supposed to come away with after doing that was that they could not live the way God required. God was holy. And they were hopelessly unholy.
Because of this, in Galatians 3 Paul calls the Law a tutor or a schoolmaster.
But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith (Gal 3:22–24).
So the Law was designed to teach Israel that they could never meet God’s standard of holiness themselves, and that they needed to look outside of themselves—to Him—for the gracious provision of that righteousness. And God provided that righteousness in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Law was designed to point to Him!
That’s why when Jesus shows up, He can declare that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19) and work on the Sabbath (Luke 6:2, 5). It’s why God’s people no longer have to offer sacrifices in a temple—why when Jesus was crucified the veil of the temple was torn in two (Matt 27:51): because in Jesus,something greater than the temple is here (Matt 12:8)! Access to God would no longer be mediated by the regulations of the Mosaic Covenant, but by those of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31–34; Luke 22:20), whose mediator is Christ Himself (Heb 9:15).
That’s also why the Book of Hebrews declares that the Mosaic Covenant has been made “obsolete” (Heb 8:13): because the purpose for which that Covenant was given—namely, to set Israel apart and to point them to a need for a Savior—is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the point of the dietary laws. God’s people are no longer set apart by not mixing fabrics, they are set apart by being united to Jesus by faith.
No Longer Under a Tutor
So, the reason that Christians don’t have a problem mixing fabrics or eating pork is not because we’re picking and choosing which biblical commands we follow. Neither were the commands culturally conditioned. Rather, they were covenantally conditioned. It’s actually because those commands, which belonged to the Mosaic Covenant, have been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator of a new and better covenant. We actually obey the commands of the Law not by carrying them out ourselves, but by looking to Jesus as their fulfillment and trusting Him to provide the righteousness that those commands couldn’t produce. That’s why Paul says in that same passage in Galatians 3:
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor (Gal 3:24–25).
We are no longer under that Law which functioned for us as a tutor! To attempt to keep the dietary laws and other aspects of ceremonial worship would actually be to deny that Jesus’ righteous life and substitutionary sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to achieve God’s righteousness on our behalf. So when Christians exercise their freedom to mix fabrics or to eat shellfish and pork, we are not breaking the Mosaic Law. Rather, we are living obediently in light of its fulfillment in Christ (cf. Matt 5:17).
Why Homosexuality is Different
However, the commandments against homosexuality do not belong to the ceremonial or civil stipulations of an obsolete covenant from a bygone era. Yes, a prohibition of homosexuality is given in Leviticus 18:22. But that prohibition is repeated in the New Testament—God’s revelation for those living under the New Covenant.

• Romans 1:26–27 – For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
• 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
• 1 Timothy 1:9–10 – …those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching…

Whereas the New Testament declares the fulfillment (and thus the end) of certain civil and ceremonial laws of the Mosaic Covenant, these New Covenant Scriptures only reaffirm the Old Testament prohibition against homosexuality. This shows us that such a prohibition wasn’t applicable only to national Israel, but is also binding upon the New Testament people of God. And the reason for that is because the prohibition against homosexuality wasn’t designed to teach a temporary lesson, like the food laws and civil regulations were; rather, homosexuality in all ages tragically distorts the picture of the Gospel that marriage is designed to be. According to God’s own Word to His people, you cannot be in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ while living an unrepentant homosexual lifestyle.
You Can Be Washed
But you certainly can be restored to a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ by repenting from the sin of homosexuality. 1 Corinthians 6:11 says that some in the Corinthian church were homosexuals (cf. 1 Cor 6:10–11). “But,” Paul says, “you were washed.” They had been cleansed! Their sins were forgiven, not by pretending it wasn’t sin but by owning it and confessing it as sin, and by turning from it—forsaking it as something that dishonors God—and by trusting in Christ’s righteousness alone for acceptance with God. My prayer is that those of you reading this would be washed by the blood of the Lamb shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Who have you brought to Christ?

We are having revival services this week and if you are near we would love to have you come and join us. Shoot me a message if you need directions or times



The evangelist shared a message last night that was pretty interesting when you think about it. It is found in

John 1:35-42:

35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).



A few things I want you to see in these verses.



1. Andrew was a follower of Jesus, who is the first person he told? His brother Peter! Did you catch the words "he first found his own brother"? You see we have a God given responsibility to share Jesus with all but especially our family! We really have no excuses. You see when we are saved others should see a definite change in us thus when we tell them what has taken place many times they will want what we have which is Jesus!



2. How did Andrew tell Peter? He told Peter he had found Christ. He shared his testimony. Folks that is all we have to do too. Sharing your testimony is as easy as this....what my life was like before Jesus, how I met Jesus, what my life is like now that I have Jesus. That is all there is too it!



3. We never know what another may do for Jesus when we bring them to Jesus! Peter was the rock that Jesus built the church upon. A faithful servant who served until death! Andrew brought his brother to Christ! Who have you brought to Christ?



I praise God for the folks in my life who brought me to Jesus!



Tom

Blessed by God!

Sorry for missing the devotion yesterday. Made a trip to a couple of hospitals to visit some folks. So today I just have to stop and give thanks to my Lord for good health. We take it for granted each day. A stop by the hospital will make you do some thinking!



Psalm 100



A Psalm of Thanksgiving.



1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!

2 Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[a]

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.



4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

5 For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.



God is good! So many days I ask for things in prayer! Today I just want to praise the Almighty God for all he does and does not do because He is in control and He knows best. Thank you Jesus!



God answered some prayers yesterday too....my Uncle does not have cancer in his lung, my friend Carl Miller does not have cancer in his pancreas! Praise be to God for He alone is worthy of glory!



So now you fill in this blank....I praise you this morning God for____________!



Tom

For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck!

With all the craziness we see on the news and even in our own communities these days I wanted to share these verses that I came across the other day:



Deuteronomy 31:24-29



24 So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you; 27 for I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. If today, while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord, then how much more after my death? 28 Gather to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.”



Maybe you are curious like me! Have you ever wondered how God thinks about our nation? I am sad to say I don't think He is very happy with us at this point and time. You read how Israel continually turned their back on God and time after time He would allow them to come crashing down from the blessings He so wanted to give them. Just stop and think about that for a moment. I believe without a shadow of a doubt God blessed this great nation of ours because it was built upon the GREAT FOUNDATION=Jesus! As we slowly tear that foundation out we will come crashing down as we already see from our economy right now!



for I know your rebellion and your stiff neck- is as much for us today as was for Israel many years ago. Let us get right with the lord as an individual and as a nation!



Tom

All peace no division myth.

I wanted to address a myth that has been brought onto the church and society. This myth is that as a follower of Christ we are to be all about peace and have no strife or divisions. As Christians we are now at a time where we must speak more than ever as we are slowly being silenced. Look at what Jesus said here and pay close attention to the divisions that sometimes will take place:



Matthew 10:34-37

Christ Brings Division

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.



This also includes friends, co-workers, and society in general. Jesus is saying here that He must be our first love...nothing else! He also said He did not come to bring peace! He knew most will reject Him. One day after He returns and sets up His kingdom there will be peace but not right now. Now it is very important to know what His weapon was....a sword. Now this is not a literal sword it is the Word of God.



Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;



Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.



We are to battle with God's Word and stand upon it with all that we have. There will be division and whoever says there will not are not reading their Bibles. A key to remember though is to do this will humility and love as our goal is to lead others to Jesus not away from Jesus.



Never, never compromise the sword, the Word of God!



Tom

Don't die believing in vain!

It is sad to say that many folks may die believing in Jesus but never having a relationship with Him. There is a difference as the Bible tells us even the demons believe:



James 2:19

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!



Are the demons saved? NO! There must be a personal relationship with Jesus to be saved. One of the best ways to check if one is saved is what they are doing in their life. Are there any fruits being shown. Now don't get me wrong here....works do not save you but they are evidence of your faith in Jesus. Living for Jesus come from the heart which come from that relationship you have with Him.



Sadly, Satan has deceived many folks into believing they are going to heaven but they have believed in vain:



1 Corinthians 15:1-4



15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,



We have to a time where many are perverting the gospel which makes it not the true gospel. Folks are twisting scripture to suit their own personal desires, or they are just thinking they can sin and ask forgiveness over and over again never making changes which makes a mockery of God's grace. All of these are vain efforts to God.



God is a loving, merciful, forgiving God but He has set standards to live by in scripture let us not twist them to our own thinking but keep them as God has told us!



Tom

It is time to stand for Jesus!

After what we seen yesterday with Chick-fil-A. There is no doubt in my mind that if believers would stand up and defend their faith we can change this nation. Where has everyone been? Too many of us have been sitting on the sidelines, it is time to get in the game and live for Jesus in all areas of our life!





Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.



Matthew 12:25

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.



1 Corinthians 15:1-3

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain



1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.



2 Corinthians 1:24

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.



Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.



Ephesians 6:13

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.



1 Thessalonians 3:8

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.



Revelation 6:17

For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”



So my friends let us STAND on the Word of God and not turn to the left or right. Lets take this great nation back for Jesus!



Tom

Truett Cathy...Chick-Fil-a appreciation Day Aug. 1 2012

I wanted to look at this man Truett Cathy this morning. I am not sure how much folks know about him. So I wanted to share his bio this morning. I know from what I have read Mr. Cathy does not want the attention but wants God to receive the glory so lets remember that as we read!



" A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. "

Proverbs 22:1





Our dad is founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. He started the business in 1946, when he and his brother, Ben, opened an Atlanta diner known as The Dwarf Grill (later renamed The Dwarf House). Through the years, Chick-fil-A has prospered and led him to great success in the restaurant business.



In 1967, dad founded and opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta's Greenbriar Shopping Center. Today, Chick-fil-A is the second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States based on annual sales.



In 2010, he celebrated his 64th anniversary in the restaurant business with industry-wide recognition: a local celebration at his first restaurant, The Dwarf House in Hapeville, Ga, and the opening of the third Truett's Grill location - a concept the chain first introduced in 1996 to recognize his then-50th anniversary in the restaurant industry.



Today, there are more than 1,500 Chick-fil-A restaurants in 38 states and Washington, D.C. Remarkably, dad has led Chick-fil-A on an unparalleled record of 43 consecutive years of annual sales increases. Our dad's approach is largely driven by personal satisfaction and a sense of obligation to the community and its young people.

The WinShape Foundation, founded in 1984, grew from his desire to "shape winners" by helping young people succeed in life through scholarships and other youth-support programs. The foundation annually awards 20 to 30 students wishing to attend Berry College with scholarships up to $32,000 that are jointly funded by WinShape and Berry.



In addition, through its Leadership Scholarship Program, the Chick-fil-A chain has given more than $25 million in $1,000 scholarships to Chick-fil-A restaurant employees since 1973.

As part of the WinShape Homes program, eight foster care homes have been started in Georgia, two in Tennessee and one each in Alabama and Brazil that are operated by the WinShape Foundation. These homes, accommodating up to 12 children with two full-time foster parents, provide long-term care for foster children with a positive family environment.



Another core component distinguishing WinShape programs is WinShape Camps. Our parents founded the camps program in 1985 as residential, two-week summer camps to impact young people and families through experiences which enhance their Christian faith, character and relationships. More than 1,900 campers from throughout the country and abroad attend WinShape Camps every year.

In 2003, Truett helped Bubba and his wife, Cindy, celebrate the opening of WinShape Retreat, a high-end retreat and conference facility also located on the Mountain Campus of Berry College. The multi-use facility hosts marriage-enrichment retreats, along with business and church-related conferences, and in summer months, houses WinShape Camp for Girls.

Dad has built his life and business based on hard work, humility and biblical principles. Based on these principles, all of Chick-fil-A's restaurants operate with a "Closed-on-Sunday" policy, without exception.

Dad has received countless awards over the years, including William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership (2008); Paul M. Kuck Legacy Award (2008); President's Call to Service Award (2008); The Cecil B. Day Ethics Award (2007); The Silver Buffalo Award presented by the Boy Scouts of America (2007); Tom Landry Excellence of Character Award (2007); Greater Dallas FCA Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Poultry & Food Distributors Association (2005); Norman Vincent & Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award (2003); Catalyst Lifetime Achievement Award from Injoy/John Maxwell (2003); Georgia Sports Hall of Fame - Chairman's Award (2003); the Ernst & Young- Entrepreneur of the Year - Lifetime Achievement Award (2000); and Horatio Alger Award - Horatio Alger Association, Washington, D.C. (1989)

He also is the author of It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail (Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1989); Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People (Looking Glass Books, 2002); It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men (Looking Glass Books, 2004); and How Did You Do It, Truett? (Looking Glass Books, 2007); and he is co-author of The Generosity Factor with Ken Blanchard (Zondervan Publishing, 2002). Dad's new book, Wealth, Is It Worth It? will be released Spring, 2011.

In addition to presiding over one of the most successful restaurant chains in America, dad is also a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.



An amazing example for all of us. May we all live our lives under biblical principles. Helping others as much as we can and standing for what we believe in no matter what!



Tom