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Author: Pat
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What are people saying about you?
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How to Stop Complaining
“Do all things without complaining.” That’s from the Bible. It’s recorded in a letter that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:14)
But is that really possible? I mean, have you ever gone through even one day without complaining…at least a little bit….maybe just in your heart Could you imagine what a different world it would be if no one, anyone ever complained….about anything…..ever!?
So how do you stop complaining? I guess you could stick a lemon in your mouth and squint like a maniac, but that would look pretty ridiculous and wouldn’t last too long.
The real answer is in Philippians 2:13: “It is God who works in you…” Without God working in you, you cannot stop complaining. It is through the miracle of Jesus living in us that we have the power to live for Him.
Complaining is like a spiritual gauge. It can be a warning sign. If there is a lot of complaining on the outside, there’s something wrong on the inside. The solution is to go to God and ask Him to work in you. Get alone with Him today. Repent. He can take your complaining away! He can do that for me, too!
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What’s Your Story?
God is on the move. He is in the business of changing lives. The way He does it in each life is a little bit different. It always has to do with Jesus, forgiveness, and the cross. But the circumstances that bring each person to a place of surrender varies considerably.
We all have a God-story to tell. Telling someone what God has done in your life can be an encouragement to them, and a faith building experience for you.
If you have never written out your testimony, take some time and give it a try. Then, you will be more prepared to share it when God gives you the opportunity.
Here’s a short article about how to do that.
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She was always at Jesus’ feet…
This past Sunday we looked at Matthew 26, which documents several events in Jesus’ life shortly before He went to the cross.
In particular, we looked at Mary, Judas, and Peter. They all followed Jesus, but their relationship with him was quite different. And they responded to His pending death in drastically different ways.
Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, but Mary worshipped Him.
You and I should emulate Mary. Every time in Scripture we see her at the feet of Jesus.
First, she’s listening to His Word. (See the end of Luke 10.)
Then, she’s pouring out her heart. (John 11)
Finally, she’s giving her best in worship. (Matthew 26).
Brothers and sisters, these are three events that we need to have with Jesus every day: listen to His Word, pour out our heart to Him in prayer, and giving our best to Him as we surrender in worship. The Bible, prayer, and worship: That’s devotion.
Be devoted to Jesus!
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Are you being tested?
Proverbs 17:3 says, “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.”
Tests are a part of life. God will lead you into circumstances for the purpose of testing you.
You may be in a challenging situation right now. It may be a relationship gone sour. It may be a stupid situation at your job. Perhaps you are dealing with unmet expectations or some emotional “funk” that you can’t define and can’t shake. You’ve lost your joy and you can’t get it back.
Welcome to the test.
Do you see your same sour reaction surfacing time and time again? God is testing you.
Do you fail to get the recognition that you deserve, or think you deserve? God is testing you.
Are you working a job for which you are WAY over qualified? God is testing you.
Is there an “hard to love” person in your life that you just know God wants you to love? God is testing you.
Remember this. God doesn’t bring tests into our lives so that He can see what’s happening in your heart. He brings them into our lives so that we can see our own heart.
Trials don’t make you angry; they reveal the anger that is already there.
Trials don’t make you sour; they reveal the bitterness that is already there.
God reveals it to you so that you know it’s there and so that you can deal with it.
Lately, I’ve seen some ugliness surface in my own life. I was not pleased with how I was reacting in certain situations. After struggling with the Holy Spirit, I finally prayed. I like to pray with an open Bible. I know the Psalms can be very helpful for our emotions, so I opened to the Psalms and looked for a verse to apply to my life. I found it. Here it is: “My eyes are ever on the Lord, For only He can release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:15.
Our tests can be a snare to us. The way to get out is to look continually to the Lord. Keep your eyes EVER on the Lord! And you will pass the test.
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The Best Show
The Best Show
Have you ever been to a concert? Moments before it starts, the lights dim. Everything is dark. But when the star of the show begins performing the lights come on and everyone cheers.
Matthew 24:29 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light….” The next verse tells us what happens after this divine black out. “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven….and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…”
Revelation 19:11 fills in some details. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True…His eyes were like a flame of fire…”
This is the Second Coming of Christ. Everything blacks out – and then all the worlds attention is focused on the Light!
What a sight it will be – Jesus on a white horse with the armies of heaven behind Him. How spectacular, how triumphant! He is coming to judge. He is coming in great glory. He is coming as King of all!
This future event is certain to happen! It will be the final culmination of human history.
What should your response be?
Watch. Be ready. Be filled with hope. Live pure. Your Redeemer is coming. If you don’t know Him, you still have time. Give your life to Jesus right now!
And keep looking up – today might be the day!
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So this is the weekend for Love, eh? What do we really know about love in this digitally saturated, relation-ally isolated, hyper-sexed society?
Isn’t it safe to say the majority this Western culture knows little to nothing about real love?
In his book, The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis illustrates the four classical loves: storge, agape, eros, philia (all of Greek origin) – in their fullness.
Philia` is friendship. The root word of Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love; also an ancient Biblical city in Asia Minor) This is considered the least valued of all the loves because so few people actually experience it. We can have a thousand “friends” on Facebook and still be socially isolated. One is fortunate to have just a few real, authentic friendships.
Storge` is affection. Such as a parents love for their children. This is great for some but many come from homes lacking this affection. In some cases, parents are distant or addicted. Many children suffer because the full weight of parenthood rests on the shoulders of a single parent or extended family member making the child feel like they are a burden and leaving them emotionally scarred. How many single parent families are there in North America today? Sadly, far too many.
Eros`, is intimate, romantic love. This is intended to be the most beautiful of loves (within the boundaries of marriage) but can also be the most destructive. When eros is separated from the other loves, it is twisted into an unrecognizable form with great potential to damage our very souls as well as our physical, emotional and mental health.
Agape` is gift-love. It is not a matter of emotion, but a matter of will. We’ are commanded to demonstrate agape love to others regardless of how we feel about the person. Agape love is impossible to experience apart from the grace of God – and the one type that is most needed today. So how is your relationship with God these days?
Do you have a friend or family member you need to make amends with? Isn’t it time to put aside your differences? How about your spouse? Are you going to continue playing the game of withholding your love because he or she “doesn’t deserve it” or are you still trying to prove your point? Are you thinking about compromising your morals in order to satisfy your selfish desires?
Let’s be kind of people who demonstrate AGAPE love this Valentine’s Day! It’s a great place to start because no one or nothing can ever fill that void in your life expect for Him who created you.
1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
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Celebrate Family Day Weekend at Church!
This coming Sunday, February 14, I will be sharing a special message about Love, as we look at God’s Word together.
After the service, Janet and I would like to invite you to come over to our house for a potluck style lunch. All our welcome, please RSVP by letting my wife know you are coming and what you are bringing.
“How blessed is the person,
who does not take the advice of the wicked,
who does not stand on the path with sinners,
and who does not sit in the seat of mockers.
But he delights in the LORD’s instruction,
and meditates in his instructiond day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
yielding its fruit in its season,
and whose leaf does not wither.
He will prosper in everything he does.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
As a Christian, it is our great privilege to spend time with God each and every day, as we read His Word and pray. Here is a simple way for you to do that.
First, pick a Bible reading plan. We have a couple suggestions here. Then, grab a notebook and a pen. Finally, use the S.O.A.P.S. method to get more out of your Bible reading.
S = SCRIPTURE
Read today’s portion of Scripture with an open heart.
Underline or highlight anything that grabs your attention.
Out of what you marked, pick one verse that means the most to you and write it down.
O= OBSERVATION
What is it about this verse that grabs your attention? What does it say to you about God? About yourself?
Read the verse a few times and maybe try to memorize it.
A = APPLICATION
How can you apply this to your life? What should you do, think, or believe differently? Listen to the Holy Spirit.
P = PRAYER
Say a simple prayer about what you have just read and learned. Write it out.
S = SHARE
Throughout the day, share what you have learned with your family, friends, or whomever the Lord would lead.
May the Lord bless you richly as you spend time with Him!
Click here to listen to a message where Pastor Pat talks about the S.O.A.P.S. method of devotions.