This sermon is not about fighting or war, as we know it. I’m talking about the reality of the spiritual warfare for your soul. And even if Jesus already owns your soul, the spiritual battles still continue in order to confuse you, weaken you and, as God puts it, “rob, kill and destroy” you. Whew, that’s some enemy we are fighting. Satan is a “no holds barred”, evil and brutal enemy who is supernaturally determined to either own or destroy all that God has made…so you cannot take a knife to this gunfight! This spiritual war (that I fear our country is losing) cannot be fought with the weapons of this world but with the heavenly weapons of God that have divine power to demolish all strongholds. Trust God; let Him lead you in every thought, word and deed, for He has been leading this fight since the beginning. Onward Christian soldiers! John 14:27, Isaiah 30:15, 2 Corinthians 10:4 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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The more I read the Scriptures, the more intimate a relationship that develops between Jesus and me…do you find that the same with you? Psalms 104, 105, and 106 give us a wonderful thread of who God is. That thread helps us to know Him all the more…His greatness, His mercy, His love for us. It holds true…to know Him is to love Him! Satan has worked hard to give out so much “misinformation” about God—for deception is his game. Evil doings happen all over the planet, and many people shake their fists at God instead of Satan. Satan IS evil…God IS good…any questions! If you KNOW God, you will push back any deception in regards to Him. Read all of each Psalm: savor what the Scriptures have for us. Psalm 104 – the Lord’s care over all His works Psalm 105 – the Lord’s wonderful works in behalf of Israel Psalm 106 –Israel’s rebelliousness and the Lord’s deliverance 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. © http://www.creationswap.com/media/5963 When Paul journeyed to Athens he observed a city of Greeks who were religious and lost in idolatry. (See Acts 17:16-34) “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator who is blessed forever.” It was “normal” to them. (See Romans 1:25.) In like manner, this godless and idolatrous mentality is upon us in our world today. Children are being born (multitudes out of wedlock and commitment to God) into a family/home environment where dysfunction, chaos, rebellion, and disobedience seem to be the “new normal”—that is all they know. God’s plan for a future of hope, peace, and eternal life through Jesus His son are being mocked and discarded for temporary pleasures, lusts and selfish ambitions in serving the god of this world. It all seems so “normal.” This mentality puts the child first, mother second, father (if in the home at all) third, and then last and least, the living God—the perfect equation for failure and despair. THERE IS HOPE, but only on God’s terms. Paul made it clear to those in Athens that all everywhere should repent, for God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world THROUGH JESUS His Son, whom He raised from the dead. (Sermon originally recorded on 3/11/12.) 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. Oh, how the times are changing on how Americans think and live. Speaking of changing times, Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3,4) We are now living in an unprecedented time in America’s history when the president of the United States, our commander-in-chief, has openly announced that he favors state recognition of same-sex marriages. Wow! And he was elected by the American people who full well knew his position on this vital moral issue. He also is an ally of those who favor and promote abortion—the murder of the unborn. Things are definitely different today when the majority of Americans support same-sex marriage. The once unthinkable has happened. Moral erosion begins immediately when any person or nation turns their ears from the truth—Jesus Christ—to seek teachings from the god of this world (Satan) to satisfy their own desires. 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. Most of us have certainly heard of the expression, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” This is especially true when it comes to God’s words, laws and statutes for all men to obey and enjoy His blessings. However, there are lawmakers and judges who are deceived to believe that they have a superior wisdom over God and know what is best for mankind and our country. Isaiah speaks to these maligned rulers and says, “Woe to those who enact evil statutes and to those who constantly record unjust decisions, so as to deprive the needy of justice and rob the poor of My people of their rights, so that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the orphans.” (Isaiah 10:1, 2) There is an aggressive assault by the ungodly against the rule of God and the wisdom of God. God’s word is becoming less esteemed and is being replaced with self-righteous and defiant authorities. These unjust decisions will lead our nation further away from God’s rule and blessings. It is the unfolding (entrance) of God’s word that gives light and understanding to the simple, not the folding (closing up) or neglect of His word. (See Psalm 119:130) Our founding fathers had a propensity to humble themselves before God. They cherished God’s word as a lamp unto their feet, and a light unto their path. (See Psalm 119:105) There is hope for America and the world but only in Jesus, the light of life! LISTEN TO AUDIOIf 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.
© 2012 www.livinglifephoto.com Jeremiah is often called “the Weeping Prophet” because he wept openly about the sins of his people. (Jeremiah 9:1) He was one of God’s spokesmen in his time, and he said that the word of the Lord was “like a burning fire shut up in my bones.” (Jeremiah 20:9) God desired and offered rest for all His people and spoke these words through Jeremiah. “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’” (Jeremiah 6:16-17) God reached out time after time to a rebellious nation offering them rest, peace and salvation, and He has extended this invitation through His Son Jesus Christ to all mankind today. It is an invitation to press in and seek the ancient paths and the ancient words from the Ancient of Days. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my Yoke is easy and my Load is light!” (Matthew 11:28-30) LISTEN TO AUDIOPERSONAL TESTIMONIESPastor Mark and others share their personal testimonies with us prior to the morning's message. It is great encouragement to hear how the Lord is working in each of our lives. Listen to the personal testimony of one of our members, Drew F., who has just returned from Afghanistan. It is always encouraging to witness so many souls who are giving their lives over to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our world today. However, as history bears witness, there are multitudes who remain refractory to God’s invitation of salvation through Christ Jesus. To be refractory means to be obstinately resistant to authority or control; to resist treatment; and unmanageable. Oh, yes, it also means to deflect light, even the gospel of the light of Jesus Christ and God’s plan for eternal life. Isaiah witnessed this arrogance in his time and wrote, “For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, ‘You must not see visions’; and to the prophets, ‘You must not prophesy to us what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel…’” Isaiah 30:9-11. Can you imagine anyone refusing eternal life? Jesus spoke of the wide gate that many enter into destruction and death, and the narrow gate that few enter into eternal life. See Mathew 7:13, 14. What’s your gate? Destruction or life; destruction or life; destruction or life; destruction or life; destruction or life…? 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.)
Never has a soul who has gone astray from God’s commands benefited from his disobedience and rebellion. In fact, “all of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). Going astray means to wander, to deceive oneself, to stagger around like a drunk man, caused to err, and to be seduced. History tells us that God’s own people, Israel, often wandered from His commands and staggered into despair and calamity. Moses admonished the Hebrews in advance and declared to them that there would be a blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience. If they returned and obeyed, then God would restore, revive and reunite them to Himself granting them favor, blessings and benefits. However, if they chose to disobey, they would perish. Read it in Deuteronomy 30. Today, all mankind has the opportunity to be forgiven, restored, revived and reunited to God through Jesus Christ, resulting in eternal life. Have you made your choice? Remember, choice determines destiny. Disobey and perish! Or, obey and live! When God's people return and obey, then God will -- 1. Restore them from captivity (Psalm 23:3) 2. Have compassion on them (Psalm 78:37-39) 3. Gather them to Him (Psalm 50:5; Psalm 106:43-46) 4. Give them possession of the Promised Land (Genesis 22:15-18) 5. Prosper them and multiply them (Psalm 1:1-6) • Prosper: to be at ease, have peace, give rest, raise hopes, be happy, safe • 3 John 2-4 Prosper: to get along with, to have a way opened, get along well, have a prosperous journey 6. Circumcise their heart and the heart of their descendants, to love the Lord God with all their hearts and with all their soul, in order that they may live. (Galatians 6:15, 16) 7. Prosper them abundantly in the work of their hands 8. Prosper their offspring 9. Prosper the offspring of their cattle 10. Prosper the product of their ground 11. God will rejoice over you for good (Matthew 18:11-14); Lost sheep (Joel 2:21-27) 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 will open the floor to life testimonies. It is great encouragement to hear how the Lord is working in each of our lives. Listen as Shirley Parsons shows how God can use us as vessels to witness to others in places as simple as a local yard sale. (Click the forward button below to play the personal testimonies of Shirley Parsons and others and/or download mp3 file.)
Three young people needlessly and tragically perished this past Wednesday as they were swept over Vernal Falls in California’s Yosemite National Park. They plunged 317 feet to their deaths because they ignored warning signs and crossed a barricade to pose for photographs. They refused to pay attention and disregarded the apparent and imminent danger. God also has set boundaries for man to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and lies, light and dark, death and life. In Proverbs 22:28, He admonishes us to “not move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set.” All too often, there is a disregard and disobedience to God’s word resulting in eternal death and separation from a life with God. However, there does not have to be tragedy beyond God’s boundaries, for He declares, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the LORD, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20) Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of sermon and/or download mp3 file.)
In reading the account of Mary and Martha, we learn a lot from Martha's teachable spirit. I'm afraid I tend to be more like Martha sometimes, thinking I have value because I am productive. But I have learned along the way that I have value simply because I belong to Christ. It's not so much what I do, it's who I am in Him! We also have some choices to make when we are corrected, rebuked, or chastened. We can receive it or we can refuse it. The Scriptures tell us to correct, rebuke and chasten one another - so what's our response to all this? Usually - rebellion ... "Don't tell me what to do!" Even if we don't say it out loud to the person correcting us, it is in our hearts and swimming around in our heads. We practically blow up holding back the anger at being chastened; an anger that is ready to explode out of our mouths (and, sadly, sometimes does). Read the Mary and Martha story in Luke 10:38-42 ... that was some correction Martha received! It doesn't go on to tell us what her response to Jesus was at that time, but we see her transformation into an obedient and worshipful woman in John 11:1-44 and John 12:1-11 ... a transformation we all need. Scriptures for today's lesson: Luke 10:38-42 John 11:1-44 John 12:1-11 2 Chronicles 24:19 Nehemiah 9:30 2 Timothy 3:7 James 1:22 Proverbs 3:12 Psalm 119:67-68 Hebrews 12:11 Psalm 51:1-17 Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of sermon and/or download mp3 file.)
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