No room for rubbish

"In all these things we are more than conquerors." You know, very often we get so discouraged. We get so earthbound. We lose sight of the majesty of God. We forget this: that God has branded you as a child of God. He lives in you. His Spirit lives in you. Christ lives in you. And we let little rubbish around us upset us? -RAVENHILL

I pray that you and I would be greatly encouraged and strengthened in that knowledge of Gods word. From your family to your job, keep Gods word in you, if you are filled with it you don't have any more room for rubbish. Let us pray.

Prayer is crucial, vital even

Leonard Ravenhill says"Your prayer life denotes how much you depend on your own ability, and how much you really believe in your heart when you sing, "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling...." The more self- confidence you have, the less you pray. The less self-confidence you have, the more you have to pray." How powerful is that?! Talk about truth cutting to the heart! I don't know about you but as painful as that was to admit about myself, it also almost seemed to supercharge me...I pray it does the same to you. Prayer is crucial, nay, vital to the life of a Christian, of a man or woman of God. It began with prayer leading to salvation, then continues on, it must continue on, in humble expectation of our assured salvation.

Hard to be a Christian

Be good isn't that difficult, be a Christian, now that's hard. See being good means that there are certain things you can justify on the grounds of equality or because "you deserve it". Where as the Christian constantly denies themselves and puts others first, whether it is fair and equal or not. This may be challenging but consider if you are just trying to be good, or stringing to be a Christian...I pray you and I both receive the strength to walk in the manner worthy to be accused a Christian:)

Don't be afraid to ask when in trouble

It's difficult to hear bad news and know all that you can do is pray, but also how comforting it is to know that you can pray. So much can be said OF prayer, but let us spend more time IN prayer. I know personally I could always use a little more encouragement through prayer, even if I never knew that you prayed for me, once a share a good testimony, know that your prayers were apart of the effort. I likewise am praying for you, don't be afraid to ask in times of trouble, but let us remember to share the times of victory also, so that we all may rejoice.

Faith filled heart

Andrew Murray said the following and I after careful an prayerful thought like it a lot. "Do not strive in your own strength (but) cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart-so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." I fear at times that I might sound redundant, or repetitive, but am quickly learning that my fear is not warranted because we all need constant reminders of Gods goodness, grace, and mercy. As the father loves the child, so does He love you! 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Forgiveness, don't be fooled

2 Corinthians 2:9-11

I. Paul felt a great personal attachment to all the churches he started and/or visited

we know this by all the letters he wrote, and which we are reading now:)

II.  Out of this desire/need he writes these letters for a reason

1.  Test
     a.  show what you know
     b. show where you need more training/discipline

2.  To know whether you (they) are obedient in EVERYTHING
     a.  He then must, by logic, presented them the RIGHT WAY, THE WAY
     b. He expected them to be obedient in EVERYTHING

III.  Forgiveness is the Focus
1. You forgive, I forgive
2. What I have forgiven is for your sake
    a. Instruction
    b.  Faith in Action
3.  In the presence of Christ

IV. Don't be fooled
-"My people perish for a lack of knowledge"
1.  We are in this together (family)
2.  We are taught/trained to watch for Satan's designs
3.  Not to be outwitted by Satan

Closing:
1. We are family
2. unforgiven hurts not only you, but all whom you are apart of, i.e. you family and friends
3. Knowing and being Obedient will keep you from being fooled!
4. ALL of this points to the cross of Christ

The relationship, the knowing him (relational) is vital to our present state and eternal salvation, there is noway around it, be encouraged, not discouraged

Unforgiveness, harshness on those that have hurt you, even yourself...you are getting outwitted by Satan!  Don't be fooled, if he can pull you away from Christs forgiveness of your sins, by tricking you to hold on to unforgiveness, of yourself and others, DON"T LET HIM!!!  unforgiveness can do that, Christ crucified redeemed us...forgive others even as you have been forgiven.

You now KNOW, now be OBEDIENT, He will give you the strength, let us pray.

Keep eating

Can I be so bold as to confront some of you with a truth that I have had to face before? Some of you went to church this morning and were fed a really good message, but no matter how good the message it won't, can't, and isn't meant to feed your soul for the week. Take what you heard today, test it, apply it (if it is true) and share it with others. But continue in growing your relationship with Him by you constantly staying in His word, and not just on Sundays. Convicting? Maybe. A call back to righteousness? I pray so! Be encouraged, stay strong, hold on, God is good.