A message from Wisdom for Living:
Hello church family!
Today we are talking about arming ourselves for war. We all recognize that in Ephesians Chapter 6, it clearly outlines what type of armor we are to wear for the battle. Today I am going to highlight the main points, and also move us from the 1st century warrior to the 21st century tech person.
The main points highlighted in Ephesians 6:10-13 are these:
- we are to fight using the Lord's might
- we do not fight against flesh and blood
- after we have done our part, we are to stand in the grace and strength of the Lord
Computer reference:
Anti-virus. We all know that it is a vital part of our computer. Without it, the various viruses out on the Internet would affect and try to destroy your computer. Three points:
1. Christ fought the viruses of the enemy with the Word of God. Matthew 4:1-11 demonstrates to us that Jesus Christ fought the devil with the word of God. Christ fought the devil with human ability to show us that we can do the same.
2. Like Jesus, we need to have our bullet scriptures ready, to combat the thoughts from the enemy and even others who are trying to discourage you off the promises of God. That's right - what are your two to five scriptures that rise up within you when you are under attack? Once you have them memorized, those encourage and speak to you.
3. We don't wrestle with people, but people can be used to speak against the promises of God, and they can even be believers. Check out Matthew 16 (Peter was rebuked by Jesus for speaking against God's plan for Jesus' life).
Guarding your operating system (your heart):
In proverbs 4:20-23, the Bible says to guard your heart, for out of it flow the issues of life. Meaning you need to line up what you believe, how you think about yourself, and how others and God/Jesus relate to you with the Word of God. If it's not in the Word, then don't receive it. Your life is like a boat designed by God to maneuver in this life. Life is like the sea or ocean. The winds and waves and storms of life do happen, but the if the weather of life has not entered your boat, you will not sink. Jesus in your boat makes your boat unable to go down! It might have to deal with tough, challenging and even hurtful things, but if you will allow the Chief Shepherd to captain your vessel, you will always come out on top.
Remember: don't be afraid of viruses! They surround us, but if we don't let them in to our heart, then we can't be destroyed.
Have you bullet verses ready, speak the word, don't receive all things from everyone, and if it's not in the Word, then don't receive it.
Jesus loves you and is with you!
Your are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved,
Pastor Art
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
You are a Believer!
Good morning church family! A message from Wisdom for Living:
You are a Believer, and the Bible declares in I John 5:1-13 that as believers, these 3 things are true:
Believers are Born of God, Believers overcome and Believers have eternal life.
Born of God:
- because we believe in Jesus, we are now born of God. That means we are now God's child and we earn this status by believing in Jesus. You see, God welcomes us into His family because of our believe in His son that He has testified about. This status was not earned because we did some work, but only because we believe in the only Son of God (Jesus).
Overcomer: I John 5:4-5
What a phrase! The Bible declares that whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and also in verse 5 it says whoever believes in Jesus overcomes the world. What confidence and encouragement to remind ourselves that we are over-comers in this life! Life might not be fair or equal based on our judgment or comparison to others. But with God, your life can be transformed into what God wants to prove to the world - that God loves everyone, that as people connect to Him, He can take the weak, outsider, those burdened and those whom the world might discard, and transform them into a blessed life ordained by God. John 10:10 states that Jesus came that we might enjoy life, and have life to the fullest that abundantly overflows with His blessings (amplified). Enjoy your life! Seasons will change - don't get stuck viewing your life from your past, nor allow yourself to just look to the future. Enjoy where you are, knowing that even if it is a difficult season at the moment, you are STILL an Overcomer.
Have Eternal life:
The easiest piece to know is that because you love Jesus, you have eternal life. That's right - life that never ends. When you leave this earth you are translated from here to heaven and we never die. 1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."
God wants us confident about the life He has given to us, and wants us to continue to believe in Jesus' completed work for our lives. As you walk through life this week, remember: you are born of God, you are an Overcomer, and that you have eternal life.
You are highly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved,
Pastor Art
You are a Believer, and the Bible declares in I John 5:1-13 that as believers, these 3 things are true:
Believers are Born of God, Believers overcome and Believers have eternal life.
Born of God:
- because we believe in Jesus, we are now born of God. That means we are now God's child and we earn this status by believing in Jesus. You see, God welcomes us into His family because of our believe in His son that He has testified about. This status was not earned because we did some work, but only because we believe in the only Son of God (Jesus).
Overcomer: I John 5:4-5
What a phrase! The Bible declares that whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and also in verse 5 it says whoever believes in Jesus overcomes the world. What confidence and encouragement to remind ourselves that we are over-comers in this life! Life might not be fair or equal based on our judgment or comparison to others. But with God, your life can be transformed into what God wants to prove to the world - that God loves everyone, that as people connect to Him, He can take the weak, outsider, those burdened and those whom the world might discard, and transform them into a blessed life ordained by God. John 10:10 states that Jesus came that we might enjoy life, and have life to the fullest that abundantly overflows with His blessings (amplified). Enjoy your life! Seasons will change - don't get stuck viewing your life from your past, nor allow yourself to just look to the future. Enjoy where you are, knowing that even if it is a difficult season at the moment, you are STILL an Overcomer.
Have Eternal life:
The easiest piece to know is that because you love Jesus, you have eternal life. That's right - life that never ends. When you leave this earth you are translated from here to heaven and we never die. 1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."
God wants us confident about the life He has given to us, and wants us to continue to believe in Jesus' completed work for our lives. As you walk through life this week, remember: you are born of God, you are an Overcomer, and that you have eternal life.
You are highly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved,
Pastor Art
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Alignment
A word from Wisdom for Living (Pastor Art):
Good morning church family!
This past Sunday we talked about aligning ourselves with what God has done for us, given to us or declared over us. Aligning ourselves with what God says about us prepares us to face life with the strength of God within us.
All of us will face challenges and things that try to discourage, frustrate or challenge us at one time or another.
Ephesians 1:3-10 (read and allow the words of God to soak in your heart and spirit):
Remember these five things:
- God has blessed you: Past tense, it was freely given so freely receive it
- God always planned for you to be in Christ and before Him in love: respond to the challenges of live by saying God loves me. Know that it might be tough, but if God is for you who/what can be against you?
- God adopted you: you are not an orphan nor forgotten but always on the mind of God. Where you started is not where you are today. You are in God's family, let the other one go. Love them, but don't live in the areas that don't line up with God's word.
- You are forgiven through the Blood of Christ and God's grace abounds to you:
walk in it. I John 1:8-10, ask for forgiveness, and get up each day with the mercies of God that are new every morning!
- God's will is to be close to you, to bring everyone into fellowship with Him. You are accepted - knowing that is freeing because it allows us to grow without the pressure of perfection or rejection.
So when things happen, maybe not the way you planned, when things sometimes seem overwhelming to you, remind yourself whose side you are on and align yourself with these five principles and statements from God. God's plan, God's love, God's grace, God's acceptance, God's forgiveness means you are free in Christ!
Walk in your freedom,
Pastor Art
Greatly blessed, highly favored, and deeply loved
Monday, October 10, 2011
God's promises by grace and faith
Hello Church Family,
This week we are talking about our ability to access the promises of God!
This is important because alot of us tend to look at the situations that we are in, and we allow the situations to dictate to us the measure of God's love for us, and if He wants to bless us or not. First, let me say that God loves you and doesn't want to withhold any good thing from you, according to Psalm 84:11. God's heart and desire for us remains constant...halelluiah!
This is important because alot of us tend to look at the situations that we are in, and we allow the situations to dictate to us the measure of God's love for us, and if He wants to bless us or not. First, let me say that God loves you and doesn't want to withhold any good thing from you, according to Psalm 84:11. God's heart and desire for us remains constant...halelluiah!
Galatians Chapter 3, verses 15-20 declare that God made a promise to Abraham and his Seed. Also it states that this Seed was Jesus, and the promise itself was made 432 years before the Law. It's important to know that grace, faith and access of the promises began before the Law was ever given. The bible declares that the Law can not provide salvation. That means my ability to live right and do right can never give me access to God's promises or make me pleasing before the Father. Lets read some verses: "Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." (Gal. 3:21-22, NIV) Verse 26 says this: "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,...", and verse 29: "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
You see, our standing with God is by grace, by faith and through the Seed of Abraham, Jesus Christ.. Our faith is believing on what Christ has done, and then we are saved by grace, period. Now we have access to all of the promises of God, just as Abraham did! Christ did all the work, and no one can declare you are not worthy. You have been made worthy by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Receive it and declare His promises in your life!
You are blessed,
Pastor Art
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Mutter and utter
Use your powers for good.
You (yes, you!) have been given a mouth to speak like your heavenly Father. HIS words about every area of your life can be what you say! Everything with God starts with a word- "Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." (Genesis 1:3 NLT).
God is wanting to use your mouth to speak His way of thinking in the earth. Will you use your time to fill your heart with His Word? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, so let's get our spirits filled up with what He says! God gives life to the dead, and calls those things that are as though they were (Romans 4:17).
Will you let Him revive your life - your family, your job situation, your body, your hope and outlook on life - by His Word? He desires to do that for you and for His glory...know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Let's choose today to let His words and His perspective be what we utter.
Use your powers of speaking for His good, and watch the Lord bring the awesome results!
He loves you so amazingly much,
Copastor Dee
You (yes, you!) have been given a mouth to speak like your heavenly Father. HIS words about every area of your life can be what you say! Everything with God starts with a word- "Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." (Genesis 1:3 NLT).
God is wanting to use your mouth to speak His way of thinking in the earth. Will you use your time to fill your heart with His Word? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, so let's get our spirits filled up with what He says! God gives life to the dead, and calls those things that are as though they were (Romans 4:17).
Will you let Him revive your life - your family, your job situation, your body, your hope and outlook on life - by His Word? He desires to do that for you and for His glory...know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Let's choose today to let His words and His perspective be what we utter.
Use your powers of speaking for His good, and watch the Lord bring the awesome results!
He loves you so amazingly much,
Copastor Dee
Monday, September 5, 2011
Stay in the Process
Hello church family!
Here is a wisdom for living nugget from our Pastor: This week we are talking about staying in the process. Throughout life we all are going to face things that impact our ability to keep our focus on God. You see, God plans to use everything in our lives to reveal to us His love, to show us His ways, and to help us to become more and more dependent upon His grace and love. It might hurt, we might not understand, it might be awkward, things may seem confusing, but our focus has to be on staying in position for God to teach, love and demonstrate His grace us. We are going to have to push through challenging times to inherit the promises of God.
Don't quit - our lives are no longer our own (Galatians 2:19-21). And if Christ is our life, then we have to know that God is with us. If things don't line up with the Word, then change is coming!
Develop Godly habits: Colossians 3:12-17 says; You are: the elect of God, holy, and beloved (know how God sees you) put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Love - it's the bond of perfection. Peace: we are at peace with God, God is on your side Be thankful Let the Word dwell in your heart, speak the Word against every negative thought. Encourage yourself through songs, hymns. Let what you say honor God.
Now that may seem like alot, but the awesome thing is that God is going to help us accomplish it. Our job is to stay in the process as God calls forth the Christ that is in us. Stay in it, keep your head in the game, and know that God's grace is here to carry you- ask for forgiveness and keep getting up!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Art
Here is a wisdom for living nugget from our Pastor: This week we are talking about staying in the process. Throughout life we all are going to face things that impact our ability to keep our focus on God. You see, God plans to use everything in our lives to reveal to us His love, to show us His ways, and to help us to become more and more dependent upon His grace and love. It might hurt, we might not understand, it might be awkward, things may seem confusing, but our focus has to be on staying in position for God to teach, love and demonstrate His grace us. We are going to have to push through challenging times to inherit the promises of God.
Don't quit - our lives are no longer our own (Galatians 2:19-21). And if Christ is our life, then we have to know that God is with us. If things don't line up with the Word, then change is coming!
Develop Godly habits: Colossians 3:12-17 says; You are: the elect of God, holy, and beloved (know how God sees you) put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Love - it's the bond of perfection. Peace: we are at peace with God, God is on your side Be thankful Let the Word dwell in your heart, speak the Word against every negative thought. Encourage yourself through songs, hymns. Let what you say honor God.
Now that may seem like alot, but the awesome thing is that God is going to help us accomplish it. Our job is to stay in the process as God calls forth the Christ that is in us. Stay in it, keep your head in the game, and know that God's grace is here to carry you- ask for forgiveness and keep getting up!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Art
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Power of Forgiveness Part I
The Power of Forgiveness: God's heart to us!
The word forgiveness naturally conjures up a variety of emotions, it reminds us of people that we should forgive, people that are hard to forgive and people we don't want to forgive. It can remind us that we need forgiveness but sometimes don't know how to receive or earn it.
We just celebrated the greatest day for Christians, Resurrection Sunday when Jesus rose from the died to grant life to us all. You see Christ was moved by love for us, and His love provided for us a since of grace and forgiveness.
You can think differently about yourself, because you have been forgiven. You see heavens grace was bestowed upon you through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We deserve punishment but have recieved grace, forgiveness for our wrongs, sins past, present and future.
Here are three things to say each day:
- God's love was demonstrated for me because Christ died for me
- I have been justified by the Blood of the Lamb
- I have been saved from the wrath, our failures, our sins and God grace is mine!
When you think of forgiveness focus on that God loves you, died for you, blood washes you and punishment is no longer yours. You are free, you are not a caged bird struggling from freedom, or to be forgiven, you are forgiven and allow God's love to pour into your life!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Art
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