Daniel was only sixteen when he was taken from Jerusalem into Babylonian captivity in 605 B.C. In chapter nine, he was in his eighties and still retained his perennial devotion and steadfastness to the only true and living God. He was determined and focused to abide by God's law in a far away and strange land. Perennial means "to last or endure an indefinitely long time."

Knowing that his enemies were trying to trick him into disobeying King Darius' decree (not to worship or petition any god but Darius alone), Daniel opened his windows toward Jerusalem and "...he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously." (Daniel 6:10, Proverbs 15:15)

Today, our Father in Heaven is looking for people who are faithfully committed in their devotion and loyalty to Jesus Christ. Like Daniel, who was not swallowed up in a pagan culture, all God's people must strive to "...come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you." (2 Corinthians 6:17)

How about you? Do you have a perennial passion, or are you content just being seasonal in a lukewarm relationship with Jesus Christ?

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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.)

The above title is the theme for GHCF for 2012. Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "...do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

The Greek word for transform is metamorphoo (meta, meaning change and morphe, form). In biology class, we learned that through metamorphosis a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, and a tadpole transforms into a frog. Likewise, when we come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we begin a lifelong journey requiring us to submit daily to the Holy Spirit who teaches us, enables us, and empowers us to be conformed and transformed into the image of Christ. Our mind is actually renewed to prove and know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Yes, it is a battle, a spiritual warfare to die to self and old habits and to live for Christ in the refreshing newness of the Holy Spirit. Paul's own words cry out in this struggle to put off the old man–"Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" He answers his own question, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24, 25) You are like a complex puzzle–are you willing to let go and let God put the perfectly-fashioned pieces together to transform you in 2012 and beyond?

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On January 14, the Tampa Tribune printed an article covering most of the front page about Tim Tebow, a devout Christian and quarterback of the Denver Broncos football team. The story was titled, "BOTH ON THE FIELD AND OFF, TIM TEBOW IS A MAN ON A MISSION." The article stated that, "the Denver quarterback has faith-driven motivation to capitalize on his time in the spotlight." This 24-year-old young man is humbly determined and committed to use his celebrity status on the world's athletic stage to glorify Jesus Christ.

In like manner, all God's children have an obligation to let the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ shine in their daily life. God has a mission for you–a faith-driven mission that will please Him. He will fashion, mold, and shape you into the image of Jesus Christ, right where you are. He will connect the dots and put the pieces together for you. Most likely you are not famous like Tim, but you and I, and whomsoever will, must have faith-driven motivation and "...walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8, 9)

Do you have faith-driven motivation? Are you on a mission for Jesus Christ–for such a time as this?

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.)

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! 

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_This is part two of the series that covers:

1.    Who Satan is and what he does
2.    The devil can’t “make you do it”
3.    How to get rid of the gnawing guilt and shame after you sin
4.    Feeling fresh and clean again

Satan has a continuing ambition to replace God and have others worship Him. (Matthew 4:8-9)

Our message sign out in the church yard tells it clearly…“Opportunity knocks once, but temptation bangs on your door forever.”

Satan constantly tempts people to try and entice them to sin, to disobey God, to be on a wrong course away from His plan. But God has an answer when Satan tempts. He said in Matthew 4:10, “Then Jesus said to him, be gone Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”

We can’t accurately say, then, that “the devil made me do it”. We sin, not Satan. But the answer Jesus gave him during that temptation is the model for us.

1.    Resist the devil and he will flee from you—RESIST—push him away.
2.    Refer to the Scriptures for all your wisdom and information.
3.    Revere and serve God only and not the world, the flesh or the devil.

God will pardon us and free us from our shame and guilt. That is not an excuse to sin, only relief that He still loves us and removes the condemnation of death and hell from us.

Micah 7:18-19, “Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot, Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

I don’t know about you, but I intend to leave them there!

So, even though the devil did not make us do it, you and I have sinned. But we are forgiven, and we can be free from the guilt, shame, and condemnation in that sin…oh, glory to God!

Follow along on the audio of this series and be enriched in His truth and glory.

If you  missed part one of this series, click here to listen to the audio.

_Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of message and/or download mp3 file.)

_Handout: (Download file to print Handout for message or view embedded file below.)

_ This is a series that covers:

1.      Who Satan is and what he does
2.      The devil can’t “make you do it”
3.      How to get rid of the gnawing guilt and shame after you sin
4.      Feeling fresh and clean again

Satan has a continuing ambition to replace God and have others worship Him. (Matthew 4:8-9)

Our message sign out in the church yard tells it clearly…“Opportunity knocks once, but temptation bangs on your door forever.”

Satan constantly tempts people to try and entice them to sin, to disobey God, to be on a wrong course away from His plan. But God has an answer when Satan tempts. He said in Matthew 4:10, “Then Jesus said to him, be gone Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”

We can’t accurately say, then, that “the devil made me do it”. We sin, not Satan. But the answer Jesus gave him during that temptation is the model for us.

1. Resist the devil and he will flee from you—RESIST—push him away.
2. Refer to the Scriptures for all your wisdom and information.
3. Revere and serve God only and not the world, the flesh or the devil.

God will pardon us and free us from our shame and guilt. That is not an excuse to sin, only relief that He still loves us and removes the condemnation of death and hell from us.

Micah 7:18-19, “Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot, Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

I don’t know about you, but I intend to leave them there!

So, even though the devil did not make us do it, you and I have sinned. But we are forgiven, and we can be free from the guilt, shame, and condemnation in that sin…oh, glory to God!

Follow along on the audio of this series and be enriched in His truth and glory.

Audio: (Click forward button below to play audio of message and/or download mp3 file.)

Handout: (Download file to print Handout for message or view embedded file below.)

Especially for those in Christ, the New Year should be an exciting time–

But, alas, for so many, it’s all about them and not about HIM! We dream and we plan…not bad things to do, but we so often do it without Him at the center; without Jesus as the director and planner of all actions.

We do our best or what we see fit. Sometimes, we just have a knee-jerk reaction to what comes our way. Even worse, some just "let life happen” to them.

So, this morning, let's look at this brand new and pristine 2012, untouched by our crummy, stained hands and see what GOD may have to say. I'll give you a hint, "I will make all things new."  (Revelation 21:5)

Scripture References:
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
Matthew 26:26-28
John 13:34
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 4:24
Ephesians 2:15
Revelation 2:17
Revelation 5:9
Revelation 21:1
Revelation 3:12 and 21:2
Revelation 21:5

God bless you always. Have a happy and successful New Year.

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