If you have never given your life to Jesus
we invite you to prayerfully consider the following:
First
Things First
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Do
You Know For Sure You are going to
Heaven?
+++++++++++++++++++
From the Pastor's
Heart
Discipline of Love
My thoughts go back almost 30 years to an exchange between a friend
of ours and her 4 year old son. She was down on her knees in front of the
little guy as he cried and she, holding his hand, sternly explained that
she was not going to let him "grow up like a weed". I have often referred
to that event as I explain the need we have for DISCIPLINE! The Bible tells
us that discipline is essential and that it is not easy. It has been said
that the undisciplined life is hardly worth living. All of what I have said
up to this point is quite convicting! I do not consider myself a very disciplined
person and I am definitely not proud of that. I have had time in my life
to conclude that the consequences of avoiding discipline is even more difficult,
in the long term, than enduring discipline. Most of the problems I have and
the problems with which I see others struggle are directly related to the
lack of discipline. The Bible tells us that God's people parish for lack
of knowledge. At the same time, it tells us in 2PE 1:3 & 4 "His divine
power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our
knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these
he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them
you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world caused by evil desires." The reason we perish is not because of God,
but because of our lack of discipline in knowing God and all that He has
made available to His Children. Our life quest should be of increasing our
knowledge of Jesus and growing in our personal relationship with Him! Jesus
said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." It
is necessary for us to be disciplined so that this life is possible. But,
we like our friends child, require our Father's discipline if we are not
going to live aimlessly and destructively. God's goal for us is LIFE! He
gives us the ingredients and requires us to walk with Him to grow in His
Will and Purpose. Let us together grow in a more disciplined and fulfilled
life! God doesn't want us to grow up LIKE WEEDS!
HEB 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted
to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of
encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the
Lord's discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
HEB 12:6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes
everyone he accepts as a son."
HEB 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as
sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined
(and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and
not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined
us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father
of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while
as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share
in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it.
Pastor Rick
Please e-mail me your
suggestions, questions and comments
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