Following up from our sermon on Sunday (5-10-09), I'm curious to hear you respond to a couple of things.
1. When I live life by my way rather than Jesus' way, I know I'm missing out seeing God work. What do you think you're missing by doing life your own way?
2. What do you think is holding you back from living fully in the love and grace of God? Are you afraid of what others will think? Maybe you don't know what that means; maybe you are new to this whole Jesus think and you're thinking, "I'm not even sure how to live with God?" Are you being distracted from life with God because of all the clutter around you? Maybe there's another reason (educate me!).
Pastor Brian
2 comments:
‘God Was Testing My Faith'
Politically Correct or Biblically Correct?
Please pray that Christians out there will stand up for their faith the way Carrie has. There will come a time when Christians will be persecuted for their faith... That time is here. What side are you on? You are either for me or against me. Luke 11:23
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” Matthew 5:10 (MSG)
“It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Cor. 12:9 – 10
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” John 15:18-20 NIV
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV
“Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:7
Esther 4:14-16 (New International Version)
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Heidi Montag said, “God says in the bible that we should love our neighbor and he created us all as equals. I know in my heart that gays and lesbians should have the same government rights that Spencer and I will when we get married. So, yes, this blonde Christian believes in gay marriage and I hope to one day go to YOUR wedding, Perez!!!”
Miley Cyrus said, “Jesus loves you AND your partner and wants you to know how much he cares! thats like a daddy not loving his lil boy cuz hes gay and that is WRONG and very sad! like i said everyone deserves to be happy.”
Miley went on to say, “i am a christian and i love you [Perez] - gay or not. BECAUSE you are no different that anyone else! we are all gods children! i am not saying this so would be nice on your site (though that would be nice jk;) but because the LORD has spoken ‘love cuz god loves’.”
Britney Spears chimed in on twitter saying, “Love is love! People should be able to do whatever makes them happy!”
Obviously Perez Hilton is going to give her low scores because #1 he is gay, #2 he didn’t like her answer and #3 he’s a drama queen. I don’t even understand what he was doing as a judge for the Miss USA pageant.
Since when do we bring politics and religion into judging someone’s ability to do a job, win a pageant, or anything in life? Isn’t Carrie Prejean entitled to her opinion whether you like it or not?
Do Christians really believe in Gay Marriage? I’m a Christian and I don’t believe in Gay Marriage. I don’t believe that God created two men in the beginning OR two women in the beginning. He created Adam and Eve. Two men can not naturally procreate successfully and neither can two women. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and God blesses the marital unions between a man and a woman if they are True believers in Him… right?
I don’t agree with what Britney Spears said at all. She comes from the mentality that if it feels good and it makes you happy then you should just do it. Many people feel good when they are smoking pot but that doesn’t mean they should do it. Many people feel good eating an entire bag of chips but that doesn’t mean they should do it. Many people like going to the beach and hanging out in the sun all day but that doesn’t mean they should do it. (I think you all get my drift?)
Yes the Bible does say that we are supposed to love our neighbor but that doesn’t mean we are supposed to agree with the sins that are neighbors are participating in… right? Isn’t that considered sinful? God forgives and He loves but if you continue to go down that same path and accept that sinful nature… doesn’t God frown on that?
Is Miley trying to say that people are born gay? If that’s the case then please explain to me the biological makeup of the child and what makes the child gay? What’s the biological and scientific response to that because I don’t believe anybody is born gay. I think it’s possible for human beings to be sexually charged when put in certain environments but again… just because you are turned on by something doesn’t make it right or acceptable in God’s view. What about adults that sexually abuse children? The act of abusing a child makes the abuser happy and satisfied sexually but that doesn’t make it right. What about people that feel good committing crimes? Is that ok?
Me not agreeing with gay marriage doesn’t make me homophobic, a bigot, or hateful. I’m entitled to my opinions and I’m free to worship Jesus and do my best to follow his word and commandments… right? So why are Christians everywhere being ridiculed for their beliefs? Why are their so many Christians out there in name only? Do these people not read their bibles?
We are only all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. That’s what the book of Galatians talks about in chapter 3.
God is the one that will judge in the end.. not me. I am called to love my neighbor but that doesn’t mean I’m supposed to go and sin with my neighbor just because it feels good and makes them happy. Go read the first few chapters of the book of Romans and you’ll begin to understand where I’m coming from.
Carrie Prejean is being picked on because she was honest about what it is she believes. She is against gay marriage. There is no politically correct way to express that.. especially when you’ve got Perez Hilton asking the questions. (Perez is a hateful guy)
Maybe somebody out there can explain how she could have worded her answer better…?
http://blogmommas.com/?p=2221
http://www.rocktheword.org/rock-the-word-sections/opinionreviews/225-carrie-prejean-a-tale-of-courage.html
I find that it is so much easier to live under the wire when it comes to wearing Jesus on your sleeve. You will be persecuted for what you believe in. From you so called 'Christian' friends that you went to High School with. From your family... I think it is hard to proclaim your faith, but at the same time not be a hypocrite. That I think is often what turns people off to Christianity. I also think unless you are surrounded by all Christian people it is so easy to just shut off to get by. I Christian trying the very best to live by what the Bible teaches would not be able to turn on the TV,send their children to public school, or listen to secular music. That is a lot to give up for some people. I know that that is hard for me. I really don't know what I am suppose to do. All or nothing, for or against. It is a huge deal. It may look like a sacrifice, but look at what you are loosing and what you are really gaining. I am not perfect, but there is a like out there that I wish I could create for myself. 'Not Coveting my neighbor,' but sometimes I just wish I had the strength. My wife and I say we are young with OLD souls. I understand that more and more each day. We have had a lot of hurt and had our faith roller coaster through our teens. It is very hard to raise children now and I can't help but fear for their physical safety. But I must put worry aside and give it up to the Lord to care for them when I may not be able. I know that their hearts are with the Lord and like a shepherd after his flock I will continue to bring them back when they stray.... with the Lords help. Amen.
Dear God I pray for the Children of this nation and the children in your Church that you may give us the wisdom and the strength to help their seeds of faith grow and turn into light on a hill for all to see. Help us not be silent in times when you need us to clothe ourselves in our Spiritual Armor - Ephesians 6:14-17 For we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
In your most Holy Name we Pray.
Amen.
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