© www.sharefaith.com We just love it when everything is going well and miracles are happening! How secure it feels when your wallet and your belly are full and no one is accosting you. Oh, but how quick we are to turn on God and shake a fist at Him when our idyllic setting takes a turn for the worse. We aren’t unique in responding this way either…the Old Testament has many accounts of God’s chosen people intensely trusting Him when He was doing outright miracles for them. But it always was only temporary…then the grumbling, complaining and distrust flowed back in them like a river. Are you like that? We don’t have to be. Stay immersed in God’s presence and instead of asking where He was ask yourself…where are YOU when things hurt. Are you right there with God or did you run away on the road of anger and bitterness? Read Psalm 3 when you get a chance…it’ll help. If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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Can we really comprehend what Jesus actually did for us? The King became the servant…that NEVER happens! What king would leave the splendor of the palace to go out and start scooping manure in the barn? And it’s not just that Jesus lowered Himself to our level that is important…it is why He did it that gives us some greater understanding. We know why He came (to restore us to God by His death), but do we know why He came as a babe in a manger? Well, how could God have us love Him and have an intimate relationship with Him if we were always turning away in fear and groveling at His feet in His awesomeness? Instead of coming in His splendor and majesty, He made the ultimate sacrifice…He came as lowly man. He made an appearance in a form that did not frighten—what could be less scary than a newborn? The Jews, of course, were quite confused in this. The big problem for them was that they conjured up what they thought God was like and what THEY wanted God to do. That is dangerous territory to be in. By doing that, they actually missed Him when He did come. Do you do the same? Do you suppose what God is, what He is supposed to do, and how He is supposed to act and respond to the things that happen in your life and the lives of others? Then, when He doesn’t meet YOUR measure, you are disappointed. Have we forgotten who He is…what He has done for us? He came in a form that we could get close to. God doesn’t want suffering, retribution, payback, or a robotic, slave-like, religious group of followers that He booms out orders to and will fry them like a bug hitting a hot gas grill if they disobey. NO. NO, and NO again! Coming FIRST as human allowed God, for the first time in all of the history of mankind, to walk among men without having to say to them, “Don’t be afraid of Me.” He actually did it for YOU…the Word became flesh! Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of message and/or download mp3 file.)
There is no doubt that anyone who has sincerely received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has also been aware of His mercy, compassion and grace shed upon them. When Jesus looked upon the multitude, He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus also said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:36-38) When Paul solemnly charged Timothy to preach the Word (Logos – written or spoken), he intended for him to be obsessed with the message and to have a burning compassion for souls! David declared, “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue…” (Psalm 39:3) All true saints of Jesus Christ need to be asking God for His fire of compassion to burn intently within their hearts. Will you commit to stand before God and ask Him for such compassion? Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of sermon and/or download mp3 file.)
Personal Testimonies: Prior to the morning's message, Pastor Mark opens the floor to life testimonies. It is great encouragement to hear how the Lord is working in each of our lives. Click the forward button below to play the personal testimonies of Pastor Mark and others and/or download mp3 file.)
(See 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33) Manasseh was the 14th king of Judah, the son of Hezekiah. He reigned for 55 years and had the dubious legacy of being Judah’s most wicked king. He was aggressive in the restoration of idolatry and idolatrous practices which his godly father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He practiced divination, witchcraft, and he worshiped the sun, moon and the stars. Those who resisted his rule were killed. He even sacrificed his son (perhaps sons) to Molech, an Ammonite god. Some believe that he gave the command to have Isaiah sawn in two. In light of these acts, it would be likely to believe that Manasseh’s enemies would welcome his demise and death. However, Manasseh humbled himself greatly and entreated (plead earnestly) the Lord while distressed in Babylonian captivity. God was moved by his entreaty and restored him to his kingdom in Jerusalem. Here we have a powerful example of God’s great mercy, compassion and grace to forgive and save the most vile and wicked. Look in the mirror for another example of God’s grace and mercy: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of sermon and/or download mp3 file.)
Additional Audio: Personal testimony from the heart of Pastor Mark Parsons. |
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