Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, ac
There is one who scatters, yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, but it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25
Christian, the Bible teaches that we were created and serve a most generous God! How rich we are in Christ who has brought us back to God through His death on the Cross and has empowered us via the Holy Spirit Who He sent to indwell the life of the believer after His Ascension into Heaven. The Bible says that TNT dynamite power resides within the Christian. See 2 Timothy 1:7.
Biblical generosity requires sacrificial giving, as Christ gave Himself for us. Pastor Charles Stanley, who grew up in a single room home reverently speaks of his mom who made just enough for food, clothing, and rent, but who taught him to go to their refrigerator and freely give a little neighborhood boy who would drop by every Saturday asking Charles if he could have something to eat, some fruit or a few eggs and a little piece of bacon. Pastor Stanley reminds us that generosity is an attitude of sharing gladly whatever we might have, regardless of wealth. The choice to nurture generosity is based on trust. Only in giving do we learn that we can never out give God.
God is Good and God is Great! Deuteronomy 28:12
Pastor Louie
The Blessing of Going and Doing Likewise
For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. John 13:15 If you know these thin
When Jesus spoke these words, he had just sat back down at the table of in an upper room in Jerusalem having just washed the feet of his disciples on the evening before the day he was to be crucified on a cross for the forgiveness of sin. Let me ask you a question and be totally honest with yourself. If someone invited you to draw a picture of the last meal Jesus had with his twelve apostles that night, would you have thought to have included a pitcher and a basin of water in which to wash dirty and smelly feet?
Perhaps you would have thought of this, but I’m not sure if I would have. I would have definitely included the bread and the cup and stick figure people seated around a box table, being that is the best I could do as a primitive artist. But Jesus speaking of the blessed life of knowing and doing his word, of following his example of service in the kingdom of his Father, offers each one of us a beautiful picture of sacrifice, purpose, and fulfillment!
Its easy to become deceived into believing that bigger is better when in Gods eyes, bowing down with loving hands, positioned to wash dirty feet, brings glory and honor to His Son. May we Christians authentically go and do likewise!
Glory to the One Who Washed My feet!
Pastor Louie
True Praise
Psalm 100:2, 4 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. Enter His gates w
How do you come before the Lord God? Afraid? Put out because you have to be at church following a long Saturday night? With reservation? Not really caring one way or the other? Eager? Psalm 100, although only five verses in length, is a most powerful psalm in which the writer is calling on all men to praise and worship the Lord. As a matter of fact, verse one calls on all the earth to shout joyfully to the Lord.
Reread the Scripture listed above and notice how we are to serve and approach Yahweh. In addition, pay close attention to how the true worshipper was to enter the Temple of God in Jerusalem, first through the gate, and then, into the courtyard. Praise and thanksgiving go hand in hand!
In verses three and five you will discover what is at the heart of authentic praise rising up to God from the humblest believer. Invite the Spirit of the living Christ to apply Psalm 100 to your prayer life, your study and application of the word, and to your worship, and be blessed! Even the most difficult of times, do not excuse the Christian from cultivating a life of praise for the God who has promised to never leave of forsake us.
I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!
Psalm 122:1.
All Praise to Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Pastor Louie
The Reason for Cultivating a Thankful Heart
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is
I remember several years ago I was doing research for a Thanksgiving Sermon when I ran across a devotional by The Reverend Charles Swindoll that reminded me as to how we skip over Thanksgiving as a culture. We seem to go from Halloween to Christmas with little thought of Thanksgiving. You can see evidence of this when you visit the department stores. But just as inhaling and exhaling will not do the human body any good without the presence of air, a heart and life lived without gratitude to Christ will not bring spiritual pulse and vitality to the individual Christian nor the Body of Christ.
In our Scripture for today, Paul is giving us the reason for cultivating a thankful heart as believers. For this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. Notice the always, without ceasing, in everything, language Paul uses in these three short but powerful verses!
We are not only to offer God our thanksgiving one day a year or before we eat our meals, but a thankful heart is to be ever growing and maturing within us as is our prayers and our praise offered to God in the name of Christ as originated and directed daily by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Praising God, praying to God, and thanking Him in and through His Word, is transformative!
Lord, I am thankful for the death of your Son upon the Cross as payment for my sin is a wonderful place to begin to thank Him today!
Praying for you for a Happy and Spirit filled Thanksgiving,
Pastor Louie
Holy Day Leftovers
Ruth 2:15-18 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, Even if she gathers among the shea
I love holiday leftovers! Dont you? Especially turkey sandwiches! The Book of Ruth is filled with so many wonderful promises of God all built upon Jesus Christ our Kinsman Redeemer, as Boaz, was Ruths relative Kinsman redeemer. But lest we miss it, there is a beautiful truth regarding the leftovers. As a result of the kindness of Boaz, Ruth was allowed to glean behind the reapers who were still working among the sheaves, when normally and legally she would not have been allowed to do so. However by commanding that the loose grain be intentionally left for Ruth to glean, Boaz out of his love for Ruth, provided for her every need which included about two and one half bushels, enough for Ruth to have plenty, and in turn, provide abundantly for her mother in law, Naomi.
Paul, writing from prison, said that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself. He said he knew how to get along with humble means and how to live in prosperity, and that he had learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. He said, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13.
Jesus, our Kinsman redeemer paid for our sin disease on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day take away our sin and shame! His love and kindness knows no end, and His promise is to meet your needs through His perfect will for your life in the lean as well as the abundant times. And like the manna in the wilderness of Exodus Sixteen, He will always provide exactly what you need each day, no more and no less. He is the God of the leftovers!
Praise Him!
Pastor Louie