1. Philippians 2:12 ~ Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
First off, you must understand that you don't work to get saved; you work BECAUSE YOU ARE SAVED! We must constantly work toward being fruitful for the kingdom of God. Being by the pastor's side, planning church functions, being in the church everytime the doors open is NOT working out your soul's salvation! Not saying that stuff isn't good in its place, but anything can happen that can prohibit you from being able to continue doing them. Then what? What will your "work" be then? Not to mention, how does any of that profit God? Do any of those things seal your fate? Do any of those things ENSURE your salvation? These are all things that can & will, at some point, cease to exist.
2. John 6:27-29 ~ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
As mentioned in #1, those things are "foods that spoil". Spoil means to "perish" or to be lost, ruined, destroyed". Why would we ever want to work for things which can be lost or destroyed? Salvation, which only comes from Jesus, cannot be destroyed! The work is believing in Jesus & what He did for us!
3. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 ~ So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Get away from what you're used to...
Many times we encounter situations that we feel are hard. Hard times may come because God is trying to get us to a new elevation in faith. They may also come when we've done something to bring them on. Either way, our fault or not, God has given us the tools we need to succeed!
There's this placed called comfort that we all know about. It's that place we dwell in because it's "safe". There's no trouble there because we are used to the things that happen there. We don't have to think too hard or do too much because everything is laid out. There's a routine & nothing changes. Dwell means to live or exist or at least to remain for a time so when you dwell in your comfort zone, you also deny yourself the opportunity to trust God. You, in essence, limit God's ability. Now don't be confused in thinking that you can stop God from being who He is, BUT you can shut Him out of your life by having no trust in Him.
There's this placed called comfort that we all know about. It's that place we dwell in because it's "safe". There's no trouble there because we are used to the things that happen there. We don't have to think too hard or do too much because everything is laid out. There's a routine & nothing changes. Dwell means to live or exist or at least to remain for a time so when you dwell in your comfort zone, you also deny yourself the opportunity to trust God. You, in essence, limit God's ability. Now don't be confused in thinking that you can stop God from being who He is, BUT you can shut Him out of your life by having no trust in Him.
June 9, 2011 ~ Bible Study with Sister L'Tanya Russ
Dwell in God; work the plan & plan the work!
1. Psalm 37:7 ~ Be still before the LORD & wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
You have to have faith in & trust God to perform His Word in your life! Trusting God means patiently waiting for Him & knowing that no matter what comes up in your life, He has it handled! Even when it seems as though others, who aren't saved, may be prospering despite their disregard for the things of God, know that God is still able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think! If He said it, He'll do it because He CANNOT lie!
2. Psalm 18 ~ A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
David was faced with circumstances that seemed out of his control. Regardless of that, he persevered in prayer to God! He declared his love, dedication & devotion to God! He glorified God for who He is, not just for what He could do for him. David worshiped God despite of his situation & God was able to get the glory in his life because of it! More importantly, he didn't forget where his help came from; when delivered, he praised God throughout it all! He continued to magnify the Lord!
1. Psalm 37:7 ~ Be still before the LORD & wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
You have to have faith in & trust God to perform His Word in your life! Trusting God means patiently waiting for Him & knowing that no matter what comes up in your life, He has it handled! Even when it seems as though others, who aren't saved, may be prospering despite their disregard for the things of God, know that God is still able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think! If He said it, He'll do it because He CANNOT lie!
2. Psalm 18 ~ A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.
David was faced with circumstances that seemed out of his control. Regardless of that, he persevered in prayer to God! He declared his love, dedication & devotion to God! He glorified God for who He is, not just for what He could do for him. David worshiped God despite of his situation & God was able to get the glory in his life because of it! More importantly, he didn't forget where his help came from; when delivered, he praised God throughout it all! He continued to magnify the Lord!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
June 5, 2011 ~ Minister Marcel Joseph
Minister Marcel Joseph gave a powerful explanation of the power of God that is at work IN us ~ God the Father, God the Son & God the Spirit! If we yield to the spirit, surely we will be led by the spirit!
1. Philemon 4-6 ~ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
2. Colossians 1:25-26 ~ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.
The mystery that has been kept hidden that is now revealed to us is Christ in us! Jesus is the hope of our calling & because of His sacrifice on the cross, we are able to live a life free from sin. The same power that was at work in Jesus, is at work in us now!
3. Ephesians 4:4-6 ~ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and IN all.
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