Big Change

Here is what God is speaking to one of our teenagers:

I am going to high school this year. It is going to be a big change for me. So many worldly people and things around me, conversations that are inappropriate, and everything else you could possibly imagine. I decided this year was going to be one that I would focus on GOD. This would help me to be a better person because I want to be the one that turns Live Oak High upside down! I want to be the one that when people look at me they can just see the love of Jesus in me! I know it is going to be challenging but I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) so I decided I would pick a person from the Bible that I could follow and they could be my example and that is Esther. I picked Esther because she was set apart from everyone else and just like the Bible says in Deut. 14:2 -We are to be set apart for the Lord God for he has chosen me from all the nations of the Earth to be his own special treasure. I also picked her because she was brave. She stood up for her people and I want to stand up for what I believe in. I shared this to the church and it went along to what we talked about. Starting with the parable of the farmer scattering seeds, which fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, "When you hear what I say you will not understand, when you see what I do you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them." (Matthew 13:14-15) Just the same, Esther had to hear and listen for God and wait for him to tell her when the right time to enter to see the king was. If she would not have fasted and prayed to God for help, everything would have gone wrong. God is faithful and always will be! We just have to trust him.

Rebekah

How Well Do You Paint?
Have you ever done any painting? If you have, you know that if you do a half-hearted job the paint will not last. I want to give you a picture of how I related painting to my foundation while on the Dominican Republic Mission Trip.
Luke 6: 48-49 says:" He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
The school building that we were painting is made of concrete walls. They are very close to the ocean and have had hurricanes come in and wash through that village. The scripture says the flood arose and beat against that house. If you look closely at the concrete walls you see holes and cracks that happen over time due to age and weather. It can also be due to not being kept up or maintained properly. What about our foundations, are they being maintained by staying the Word, praying, seeking fellowship with other Christians? If we neglect these things, then cracks and holes can start to appear. They may be small at first but over time, they can become large.
Several of us were painting outside the school building and I was standing with Lauren Jackson. She had a paintbrush and she was taking her brush and literally sticking it in the holes and cracks. As we were talking she said, “I am going to fill up these holes.” As she filled up the holes with paint, she would then put a layer of paint on top to smooth it out. As I have reflected upon what I observed, I thought about our foundations. How do we fill them up? Do we just put a top layer on for a temporary fix or do we really get determined to fill in every crack first. It is just so easy to do the “quick fix” and just paint over the undesirable area so on the surface it would appear everything is fine. Over time though the “quick fix” is not enough because if your foundation it not strong enough to weather the storms that come your way, you will be shaken. The Word says the house fell.
Well, you might ask, what could some of these flaws or cracks be? In Romans 1:29-32 it says, “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; [they are] whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Galatians 5:19-21 says:" Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Look what God says about the righteous judgment of God. He said we are deserving of death and we will not inherit the kingdom of God. If we allow our heart to get so hardened that we not only practice sin but also take pleasure in it, then we are living in the flesh and not being led by the Spirit. We will be judged. We will not inherit the kingdom of God. Hell is real. It is eternal, never ceasing. It is a fire that will never be quenched.
Galatians 5:24 says:" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. And those [who are] Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
As I watched Lauren fill up the holes and cracks, I was thinking if we see something in our life that does not line up with the Word of God, then we need to take our paintbrush and fill it with the righteousness of God. Lauren was not just dabbing a little paint in the crack, she was taking that brush, coating it with a lot of paint, and then pressing the brush into the affected area making sure it was filled up completely. If there are areas in your life that need to be filled in, take it very serious. Do not just brush over it, get to the root. This takes effort. You have to press in, seek God with all your heart. God is serious, He hates sin. Fill in the cracks with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. After you fill them in, coat it with prayer, reading the Word of God, having fellowship with other Christians.
This is how we grow. If we are not actively seeking God with all of our heart, we will start to have signs of neglect and over time, the cracks will appear. Do not allow yourself to get to that point. Allow God to minister healing to you.

Signs of Cares of the World that Choke Faith in God’s Word

Our topic last week was from 1 John 1, 2 where some church folk thought they were Christian because they “said” they were and not because of obedience to Jesus. Some years back we dealt with what is called the “say religion” where people confused attending a church gathering with Christianity. I read the passage some days earlier from our recent daily reading and felt we needed to revisit the topic. As we were praising God also impressed on me the passage from Mark 4:13. I wasn’t sure how it tied in with the topic, but it did.
In Mark 4:13 we see that the parable of the four seeds is the gateway to understanding all other parables. It is important to note that it addresses much of the error in the church today because not every heart remains obedient and may become disqualified for the Kingdom of Heaven. The first is when someone hears God’s Word and doesn’t understand it and it isn’t allowed to change the heart. The second is when the Word is readily received and the person didn’t realize that testing, trials and temptation are associated with the Word and the person quits believing. The third is when the Word is sown into a person’s heart, but competing worldly interests are allowed to takeover. There is no fruit to give evidence of the Word’s power and it is made ineffective. And lastly, the Word is sown into a heart of obedience where much fruit is grown.
Let’s look at Mark 4:18-19. I believe it pertains to how the Word of God is sown in America. Just the process of living with all our responsibilities to family, work and desire to move ahead we can forfeit the dependence of seeing God’s Word work for us.

(Mark 4:18-19 NKJV) ""Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, {19} "and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

And in most church meetings there is no way of knowing if the cares of the world have taken over because there is little revealed about their practices at home. But I think John gives us some sure signs to look for. Read the following passages.

1 John 1:5-8 (NKJV)
{5} This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
{6} If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
{7} But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
{8} If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

1 John 2:4-9 (NKJV)
{4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
{5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
{6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
{7} Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
{8} Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
{9} He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
{10} He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
{11} But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The signs are in what a person says with no supporting fruit. John evidently ran into the same situation where people were saying they were something they were not. Perhaps you or someone you know have said what is in chapter 1 verses 6, 8, and chapter 2 verses 4, 6, 9.

1 John 1 (NKJV)
{6} If we say that we have fellowship with Him,
{8} If we say that we have no sin,

1 John 2 (NKJV)
{4} He who says, "I know Him,"
{6} He who says he abides in Him
{9} He who says he is in the light

While there are needs like providing shelter, food and care for ourselves and families we can’t ignore, how do we maintain priority so that the Word is not choked? The opening of 1 John 1 is the key.

(1 John 1 NKJV) "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life;
{2} the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us;
{3} that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
{4} And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

It is the continued revelation of Jesus as we seek Him out on a daily basis that allows us to maintain fellowship with Him and His people. John was able to declare that he saw Jesus and handled Jesus and eternal life was made manifest to him. Have you done that lately? Those who have neglected to seek Jesus as the first part of their day have no defense against worldly cares and are overwhelmed. It has been my experience when someone is struggling to flow with your home church gathering it is the lack of revelation of Jesus. As we read the above passage, not only is fellowship impossible with Christian brothers and sisters but fullness of joy is out of reach also. This turmoil highlights the conflicts inside the person. How frustrating it is to try to do something that can never happen? I like John want others to enjoy the fellowship and joy he had with the Father and His Son, but there is no substitute for the fresh revelation of Jesus.

God Bless,
Bro. Ken

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve prove Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Will be with me to the end.

Trust: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something, one in which confidence is placed.

To trust someone would mean that you have formed a relationship with that person. I would not think it would be the norm to walk up to a stranger and automatically place your trust in that person. We would first want to get to know them and develop a relationship. How would you get to know them? Spending time with them, learning all we can about them.

Do we trust God? Do we fully trust Him? Fully trusting is taking your hands off and allowing God to work. It’s not interfering with Him. Are we so passionate about God that we fully trust Him, take Him at His Word? Do we rest upon His promise? Do we have a relationship with God that is so close that we trust Him with every aspect of our life?

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!!

Every

For it is written: "`As I live,' saith the Lord, `every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11

Can you imagine EVERY knee of EVERY person will bow before Jesus and confess to God? I am sure we could think of many evil persons and good persons and each one will have to bow before Him. Just thinking about that picture, brings on the fear of the Lord. No one will get away from it. No one will be able to hide from it. NO ONE!

What are we willing to do to be one of the righteous standing there? Are we willing to suffer? Are we willing to hold up His standard? Are we just saying His Word or are we doing His Word? Are we willing to read His word, when we don’t want to read? Are we willing to go help someone with a giving heart, or do we grudgingly do it? Are we willing to sacrifice money and time? What are we willing to do to be like Jesus? Faith without works is DEAD! We may be able to talk it, as many can, but can we walk it and can we live it?

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
1 Peter 4:1,2

Paul continues: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffering, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy…therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 12, 13, 19

I wonder how Christians in other parts of the world think about our American Feel Good Gospel. Are we really sold out to Christ? Are we really sold out to each other? Are we really sold out in reaching out to the lost?

“Revive us according to Your Word and revive us in Your righteousness.”
Psalm 119: 25, 40

Let EVERY one of us who call ourselves Christians, bow our knees, our hearts...EVERYthing to Him. Thy will be done, Lord, Thy will be done.

Are You Hungry?

Our local body assembled this week at the home of the Verrett’s. The communion dinner or may I say BBQ was excellent. We must commend Bro. Mike on his pit skills.

Our koinonia or Christian fellowship certainly equaled our communion meal in substance.

Bro Mike offered the subject of “Hungering for God” based on an article he read by Andrew Strom who happened to be referencing another fellow laborer of ours, David Servant. Brother David was teaching on this subject and it seems to be something that the Holy Spirit is urging us to review. You may want to go ahead and read the article, by going here first. It may help our browsing brothers and sisters create a reference as we discuss this topic.

A main point that Brother David offers is that a visitation of God not only is preceded by Prayer and Repentance, but there must also be some measure of hunger of the people for God. Darla underscored this point with the passage from the Sermon on the Mount,

(Mat 5:6 NKJV) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Only something that is empty can be filled. Have we filled our lives with so many things “of this world” that we don’t have an appetite for God and His Righteousness?

Darla also referenced Psalm 112 which seems to also reinforce this idea of emptying oneself so that he or she can be filled. This Psalm talks about a man who is gracious and lends, and one who gives to the poor. This man bears the fruit of his actions by never being shaken and having his heart established, steadfast.

This all starts with a constant hunger and desire for God to fill us with Himself, a thirsting after His Righteousness. Andrew Strom also points out that as countries are thoroughly “westernized” their hunger typically stagnates, apathy “reigns supreme.” How true is this?

If we can honestly say that we don’t have a growing hunger for God, it is most probably that our own desires have been consuming the things of this world. We then cannot blame God for this. My daughter Lauren shared an appropriate passage for this,

(James 1:12-14 NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. {13} Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. {14} But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

God’s expectation of us in the trial is that we overcome not that we would cave in to our desires. As Lauren shared, many people simply count the cost and decide that it costs too much to overcome or resist the temptation or in some cases, flee the temptation. Do we really value the need to overcome the constant pull of the world on our lives? Do we really resist the Devil so that he will flee?

I personally believe the Holy Spirit made the point in our assembly on Sunday. The real issue becomes, “what will we do about it?” I pray that you will meditate on these things and take action! Overcome the world! Empty yourself of it! Cry out to God that He would fill you up with Himself!

I leaved you with this thought, if indeed we hunger not for the things of God, then we must like the prodigal son, come to our senses. He realized that the world was not providing nourishment to his soul. In repentance, he ran back to his father who not only provided the fattened calf but had a great feast in his honor.

(Luke 15:17-23 NKJV) "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! {18} 'I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, {19} "and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' {20} "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. {21} "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' {22} "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. {23} 'And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

Bro Russell.

Set Apart

It all started when someone said these two words, “Set Apart”, then the discussion of God’s word took off! Scripture started flying like fire! Aren’t we called to be “set apart”? What does it mean to be set apart? How do we live in a world and be set apart?
His Word will show us the path.

“But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call unto Him”. (Psalm4:3)

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special
people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away and the lust thereof, but he that does the will of God abides for ever.” 1 John 2”15-17
Do we live in the world and not have anything to do with the world? We are in the world but not of the world. We are to proclaim His Praise, to be a light in the darkness and to be a testimony of Him. God is holy and not only does He call us to be set apart, but He also calls us to be holy…not religious, but holy.

One more thing: set apart does not mean isolate yourself! We all know the stories of groups that isolated themselves and got so far out, that it ended in destruction.

“..that they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they may also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:21

“If we say we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us for all sin.” 1John1:6-7


As we continue to gather as a church at the different homes, it is great to see how God is knitting our hearts together. When one shares about a struggle, we rally around them. When that happens, another piece of a wall is removed. We are able to move closer to that person and the group is able to move closer to God. It is a safe place. This can only happen when our hearts are open to the Lord and His Spirit. It is not hype. It is not forced. It is not fake. It is not religious. It is the “Real Deal”. It is the simplicity of the Gospel in action. It is the Spirit of the Living God living in us…changing us daily to be like Him. His word is real. His word is truth. His word is alive. His word must be obeyed. We are becoming His Word, His Light, His ambassadors, and we are still called to be set apart. How set apart are you? Me? Us? Selah!