Growing in God's "Let Us" patch - Part I

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:  that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:    (John 17:21-22 KJV)

 Maturity and development is the emphasis today.  “Growing in God” will require Faith, Trust and Obedience.  These next few promises have the power to produce Faithfulness and Fruitfulness in your lives.  What could be greater than Growing in God? How about “Growing in God, Together with Others in Unity and Harmony, (John 17:21,22) then our thinking will shift from me to we - and from I to us!!

        “Let Us” (Hebrews 4:11)enter into that rest...

    This rest speaks of a Sabbath Rest - not just concerning a day, but the lord of that day (Jesus).  Why did God rest after the Creation? (Genesis 2:3) He wasn’t tired - He was finished! Nothing needed to be added or improved on.  Jesus Christ’s finished work at Calvary not only brought about Redemption, but Rest...     “It is finished...” (John 19:30)

        “Let Us” (Hebrews 4:16) come boldly to the Throne of God...”

    We have an open invitation to come to God - anytime, anywhere in any circumstance!

    We are wanted and welcomed to come to God as sons and not slaves; as friends and not fugitives.

        “Let Us” (Hebrews 6:1) go on unto perfection...

    God wants us to be a completer - a finisher...

He wants us to be “matured and assured” concerning His ways and His will for our lives.

    May we continue to grow up and grow in God in a “Let Us” patch...

Pastor Jody

Waiting on God? You might want to adjust your watch...

“...whoever believes will not act hastily.”

Isa 28:16 NKJ

It’s too late in the day for reckless reactions - you and I have been serving the Lord for too long to begin making impulsive judgements or to carelessly jump to conclusions.

we have been called and equipped to live a life of Faith and Trust - not emotional or impulsive behavior.

The promise is assurance that we can avoid the mistakes that come from overreacting and not having all of the facts, then after all of the needed information has surfaced, we regret our premature actions.

In I Corinthians 4:5, Paul encourages us to “...judge nothing before the time...”

When we are fully aware of the facts concerning our life and our situation, we can then respond with assurance and accuracy!

Side effects of hasty behavior are:

1.     Being impatient
2.     Being frustrated
3.     Being irritated

These often appear when we feel as though God is not responding quickly enough to resolve our issues and answer our requests; then as we try to “help” and “hurry” the plans of God, it only creates a new set of problems for us to overcome.

So here is the “inside scoop”...

“commit your ways to the Lord...Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalms 37:5 NKJ

Pastor Jody

The Promise for Perfection

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalms 138:8

One of my favorite promises in the Bible is found in Psalms 138:8 , “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me...”

In the English language there are two words that are spelled the same but their pronunciation and definition are completely different - Perfect:

1. •PERfect - an adjective referring to being “sinless” or “flawless”...
2. •perFECT - a verb whose Biblical definition describes “development” or “completion”

It’s the second word which is used in this verse.

Every area of our life is in a state of development.  All of life is a learning process, an opportunity to excel and to expand - and the Lord is shaping us according to His divine design!

It’s a Lifetime Process!

None of us are just “standing still”- we’re not just “spinning our wheels” or “treading water”...

We’re Making Forward Progress!!

1.     Our Faith is growing...
2.     Our Wisdom is increasing...
3.     Our Confidence in God’s Word is as secure as concrete...
4.     Our priorities are constantly changing as we evaluate what is really important in our lives.

The Lord has begun a great work in us; we can be assured that He, by the Holy Spirit, will bring us to fruition   (see Phil. 1:6)

If He leads us to it - He will see us through it!

Today, we can be confident that God loves us TOO MUCH to leave us the way we are now.  He has plans for our lives...

Better days await you and I!

Pastor Jody

Reaching Forward

“....reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”   Philippians 3:13 NKJ

Stretching the neck, scanning the horizon, and shading the eyes with the hand in order to see at a distance;  these are all expressed by the phrase... “reaching forward”.   Paul is telling the Philippians to forget the past and start looking ahead.  He knew what he was talking about since he had earlier persecuted the church and consented to the stoning of Stephen  (Acts 7:58).

Paul had to learn to put such negative memories behind him and get on with his life.  Instead ofallowing the past to become an unbearable burden of weight to him, Paul simply dropped it to the ground and used it as a stepping stone to the future.....  “Reaching Forward” is a good exercise for all of us.  It simulates “Hope”... it puts us in a state of “Expectancy”... it declares that what has been is only a prelude (introduction) of what is yet to come.... Yesterday was good... today is better... and tomorrow will be even better still.  

“Reaching Forward” anticipates outpourings of the Holy Spirit, miracles, answered prayer, etc.  As Christians, we have so much to look forward to...  the Salvation of our families; the evangelism of ourcommunities, the revival of our churches, and most of all.... the blessed hope of Christ’s return for His Church.    “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

WOW!!  What a future we have to look forward to........  Praise The Lord! 

Pastor Jody