Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Depending on God

We started off by one of our ladies saying she was reminded this week that we need not to forget to praise God. Remember the "Doxology?”

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

It’s good to be reminded that He is to be praised and not just in the good times.

We began talking about our dependence on God. Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles just go away. If that were always the case, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. God is faithful. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Paul experienced great suffering. He felt like he was going to die, totally overwhelmed and powerless to do anything. He trusted God. He had to totally rely on Him to help and intercede. Depending on God shows us how much we need Him and how powerful He is and how powerless we are. If He can raise the dead, surely He can see us through difficult circumstances.

I read this the other day:

Have you made peace with your present situation? Can you trust that God is doing His perfect work in your through every circumstance? If you can’t you will grow restless, hopeless and eventually mad at God. You will become bitter and hard.

We should pray for ourselves and each other that in times of difficulties, knowing God will walk through it with us and that He will give us the guidance and direction that we need.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Which Jesus Do You Serve?

This is a great post that I received and wanted to share:

WHICH JESUS Do YOU SERVE??-Posted by Brendon Powell.

There seems to be more than one Jesus to choose from these days.
Which one is the true Jesus and who am I following?

· There’s a ‘seeker friendly’ Jesus, he’s the one who will not offend anyone in anyway. He loves everyone no matter what they do.
. There’s a ‘sow and reap’ Jesus, he made a covenant with man so that man could sow his seed and reap wealth and happiness on earth and then go to heaven when he dies.
· There’s a ‘blend in with the world’ Jesus, he wants us to look like, act like, and be like the world in order to reach the lost.
· There’s a ‘never ending grace’ Jesus, his ‘grace’ covers us no matter what we do or how we live.
· There’s a ‘just believe’ Jesus. As long as you truly believe in your heart, you’re saved.
· There’s a ‘name it claim it’ Jesus. You name it; anything and it’s yours! If you don’t get it, it’s because you lack faith. It’s your fault.
· There’s a ‘carnal’ Jesus. He doesn’t expect you to overcome sin, he understands you’re just carnal.
· There’s a ‘heart dwelling’ Jesus. All you have to do is ask him into your heart and voilĂ , he’s there. You’re going to heaven!

Truth:
There’s the Jesus who said “Repent and believe the gospel,the kingdom of God is at hand.” -Mark 1:15
He said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.” -Luke 9:23-25
He said without Him you are already condemned. -John 3:18
He said He came to save the world -John 3:16
He said unless you forsake all you have, you cannot be His disciple. -Luke 14:33
He said if we love anyone more than Him we are not worthy of Him. -Matt 10:37-39
He said if you love this life you’ll lose it. -John 12:25-26
He said you cannot serve God and money. -Matt 6:24
He said fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell. -Mt 10:28
He said be extreme in your war against sin. -Matt 18:8-9
He said love God with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbour as yourself. -Matt 22:37-39
He said He is the light of the world. –John 8:12
He said the gate is narrow and the way is difficult and few find it. -Matt 7:13-14
He said those who believe in Him but work iniquity will be cast out. -Matt 7:21-23
He said you’ll be hated for His name’s sake, but if you endure to the end, you’ll be saved. -Matt 10:22
He said I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me. –John 14:6

Which Jesus do you serve?