“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
A Christian lifestyle should never become a list of rules. We must take our attention off mandates and focus on the LORD. To paraphrase, “What did Jesus do?”
• Communicated continually with God (Matthew 11:25-26; Mark 6:46, 14:32)
• Acknowledged the significance of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, 26)
• Obeyed the will of His Heavenly Father (Luke 22:42; John 6:38-39)
• Resisted temptation by steadfastness to the Word of God (Luke 4:1-13)
• Reached out to those considered hopeless and sinners (Mark 2:15-16; Luke 19:5-9)
• Served others, humbling Himself before His Heavenly Father (John 13:3-5, 12-15)
• Persevered in faith and love (John 4:34, John 9:4; John 17:23)
You can present an outward appearance of holiness daily and still serve as a poor Christian witness (Matthew 23:27-28). To live as a Christian requires having the character of Christ. A transformation must occur, as a result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (Galatians 5:24-25).
When we truly practice a Christian lifestyle, the inward evidence becomes obvious. God’s glory and power pours out upon all those around us. Our faith in the midst of trouble flows from a heart given to a loving Father. Every breath carries words of compassion and affirmation to a hurting world. Those who live the Christian lifestyle live a confident life on the inside and outside.
“This High Priest [Jesus Christ] of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it” Hebrews 4:15
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
A New Year with No Limitations
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Cor. 6:1-2
Tired of just getting by?
Tired of barely making it?
Tired of borrowing and begging?
Tired of being the tail and not the head?
God wants you to have life and have it more abundantly. No, you don’t just have to exist.The good news of the Gospel is: Be not dismayed whatever betides you. In this New Year, God will take care of you. My brothers and sisters its time we dwell abundantly.
Perhaps things are still going well. Sure, you’ve made some mistakes, you’ve messed up a little, but you’re still living with the hope that you will be able to start over, that this New Year presents you with the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf—to drop some bad habits and pick up some good ones.
Perhaps things are falling apart. You’ve tried the starting over bit—over and over and over—and you’ve come to realise it’s just a futile attempt at making yourself feel better for a while. You’ve lost all hope in any real new beginning.
Perhaps you’ve met the Messiah. You’ve gone through the ups and downs. You’ve tried it all—you know what it’s like to promise yourself a new start, you know what it’s like to reach that point of hopelessness, of just giving up. But now you’ve met the Messiah. And suddenly you know what it is to really start over—to be a new creation.
Perhaps you’ve become His ambassador. You’ve been liberated, set free from you trust in yourself, your loss of hope. And now you can’t help but carry a message—the message that it’s okay. That God has made things right between you and Him, everyone and Him!
It doesn’t really matter where you are today, because today is a new day. Paul writes further:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors… (2 Cor 5:17-20a; NIV)
Bring in the New Year with jubilation, praise, praying, shouting, and thanking God.
I see a better day.
I see a better life.
He's giving me more than I ever had before.
No more am I limited by limitations.
I serve a God who has no limitations.
New Year's Eve (Watch Night) Service
Friday, Dec 31
Refreshments and Fellowship: 8:30pm
Service: 10:00pm to Saturday, Jan 1 (2011) 12:00am
Come and join us at:
Scotts Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
511 Tulip Grove Road, Hermitage, TN 37076
Tired of just getting by?
Tired of barely making it?
Tired of borrowing and begging?
Tired of being the tail and not the head?
God wants you to have life and have it more abundantly. No, you don’t just have to exist.The good news of the Gospel is: Be not dismayed whatever betides you. In this New Year, God will take care of you. My brothers and sisters its time we dwell abundantly.
Perhaps things are still going well. Sure, you’ve made some mistakes, you’ve messed up a little, but you’re still living with the hope that you will be able to start over, that this New Year presents you with the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf—to drop some bad habits and pick up some good ones.
Perhaps things are falling apart. You’ve tried the starting over bit—over and over and over—and you’ve come to realise it’s just a futile attempt at making yourself feel better for a while. You’ve lost all hope in any real new beginning.
Perhaps you’ve met the Messiah. You’ve gone through the ups and downs. You’ve tried it all—you know what it’s like to promise yourself a new start, you know what it’s like to reach that point of hopelessness, of just giving up. But now you’ve met the Messiah. And suddenly you know what it is to really start over—to be a new creation.
Perhaps you’ve become His ambassador. You’ve been liberated, set free from you trust in yourself, your loss of hope. And now you can’t help but carry a message—the message that it’s okay. That God has made things right between you and Him, everyone and Him!
It doesn’t really matter where you are today, because today is a new day. Paul writes further:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors… (2 Cor 5:17-20a; NIV)
Bring in the New Year with jubilation, praise, praying, shouting, and thanking God.
I see a better day.
I see a better life.
He's giving me more than I ever had before.
No more am I limited by limitations.
I serve a God who has no limitations.
New Year's Eve (Watch Night) Service
Friday, Dec 31
Refreshments and Fellowship: 8:30pm
Service: 10:00pm to Saturday, Jan 1 (2011) 12:00am
Come and join us at:
Scotts Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
511 Tulip Grove Road, Hermitage, TN 37076
Friday, December 24, 2010
This Christmas, I say Rejoice!
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
Sometimes it is not easy to rejoice or to give praise to the Lord, but that does not change the command. It is God’s will that we find joy in prayer in Christ Jesus in every condition of life. God works everything together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). “Rejoice . . . pray . . . give thanks” is God’s will for every believer in every situation regardless of the chances, changes and circumstances that come in your life.
Is your hope fixed on Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him! Are you a partaker of the life that is in Him? Rejoice in Christ! Have you been born to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him!
Have you been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him!
Do you know the grace of the Father that has given you eternal life? Rejoice in the Lord!
Have you experienced the forgiveness of all your sins? Rejoice in Christ!
Has the Holy Spirit spread abroad in your heart the love of God? Rejoice in Him!
Do you delight in knowing Jesus Christ died as your substitute on the cross? Rejoice in the Lord!
If you have been saved the Holy Spirit has taken up permanent residence in you. Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in His dwelling in you, quickening you, comforting you, and the illuminating His Word. Rejoice in Him! Rejoice and be glad, what God has done in Christ, should make you rejoice and keep on rejoicing.
This Christmas, as I think about the many gifts the Father has given us, one is the privilege of rejoicing. Thank you, LORD for being so faithful. May He bless you abundantly, and may you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! Selah!
Sometimes it is not easy to rejoice or to give praise to the Lord, but that does not change the command. It is God’s will that we find joy in prayer in Christ Jesus in every condition of life. God works everything together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). “Rejoice . . . pray . . . give thanks” is God’s will for every believer in every situation regardless of the chances, changes and circumstances that come in your life.
Is your hope fixed on Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him! Are you a partaker of the life that is in Him? Rejoice in Christ! Have you been born to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him!
Have you been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ? Rejoice in Him!
Do you know the grace of the Father that has given you eternal life? Rejoice in the Lord!
Have you experienced the forgiveness of all your sins? Rejoice in Christ!
Has the Holy Spirit spread abroad in your heart the love of God? Rejoice in Him!
Do you delight in knowing Jesus Christ died as your substitute on the cross? Rejoice in the Lord!
If you have been saved the Holy Spirit has taken up permanent residence in you. Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in His dwelling in you, quickening you, comforting you, and the illuminating His Word. Rejoice in Him! Rejoice and be glad, what God has done in Christ, should make you rejoice and keep on rejoicing.
This Christmas, as I think about the many gifts the Father has given us, one is the privilege of rejoicing. Thank you, LORD for being so faithful. May He bless you abundantly, and may you and your family have a very Merry Christmas! Selah!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
God’s Greatest Gift
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
Christmas is a time of giving. Ever since the wise men from the east showed up at the stable carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh, people have been exchanging gifts at Christmas.
But there’s one gift that meets everyone’s need, one gift that will never wear out, never break or need repairing. A gift that is appropriate for a small child, or a teenager, or an adult, or a senior. Boy or girl, man or woman.
The gift we all need, the most valuable gift of all, is the Love of God. No one could give a greater gift than God has already given. We celebrate the fact that God gave us the gift of His own Son, Jesus Christ, so that through faith in Him we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
In the gift of Jesus Christ provided by God we have been given love in abundance. Love to save. Love to heal. Love to deliver. Love that will bring you peace with God and peace with mankind.
1. The Gift is Jesus Christ Himself
The gift God offers us is to know Christ.; To know Him as a friend, to have fellowship with Him, to have a relationship with Him. The gift God offers us is to be known and loved by Christ.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3 (NIV)
2. The Gift Has Great Value
Knowing Christ is worth more than anything else in this world; in fact, knowing Christ is worth more than everything else in this world. We will never be disappointed by Him. He is that treasure; He’s that pearl of great value.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
3. The Gift must be Received
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12 (NIV)
Christmas is about love. A God who so loved that He gave His only Son Jesus, the sinless Son of God, born in Bethlehem as a sacrifice for man. God is expressing his love to us and wants us to come, receive and accept and respond to it.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
Christmas is a time of giving. Ever since the wise men from the east showed up at the stable carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh, people have been exchanging gifts at Christmas.
But there’s one gift that meets everyone’s need, one gift that will never wear out, never break or need repairing. A gift that is appropriate for a small child, or a teenager, or an adult, or a senior. Boy or girl, man or woman.
The gift we all need, the most valuable gift of all, is the Love of God. No one could give a greater gift than God has already given. We celebrate the fact that God gave us the gift of His own Son, Jesus Christ, so that through faith in Him we could be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
In the gift of Jesus Christ provided by God we have been given love in abundance. Love to save. Love to heal. Love to deliver. Love that will bring you peace with God and peace with mankind.
1. The Gift is Jesus Christ Himself
The gift God offers us is to know Christ.; To know Him as a friend, to have fellowship with Him, to have a relationship with Him. The gift God offers us is to be known and loved by Christ.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:3 (NIV)
2. The Gift Has Great Value
Knowing Christ is worth more than anything else in this world; in fact, knowing Christ is worth more than everything else in this world. We will never be disappointed by Him. He is that treasure; He’s that pearl of great value.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
3. The Gift must be Received
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12 (NIV)
Christmas is about love. A God who so loved that He gave His only Son Jesus, the sinless Son of God, born in Bethlehem as a sacrifice for man. God is expressing his love to us and wants us to come, receive and accept and respond to it.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)
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