Fresh Bread

 

Pit Stop - 09/25/11

Watching NASCAR races are interesting; especially, the teamwork and precision of the Pit Crew that quickly services the vehicle and driver so that he can rejoin the race and win!

Taking time to make a “pit stop” along life’s road to refuel, replenish, and refresh is important, if not critical, to our survival. We make little “pit stops” every day; three meals, a snack or two, a chat over the phone with a friend, a book or a favorite show, fishing, vacation, playing with the kids or just hanging out. Without these little pits stops life would be very tedious and dull. Not only do these give us physical health, but it also sustains our emotional and mental health as well.

However, there is another “PIT stop” along life’s road that we should recognize as a Danger Zone! The children of Israel give us such rich illustrations of good things to do and things we should avoid. When they left Egypt, finally freed from their slavery of 400 years, they were rejoicing and dancing. Ecstatic may be an understatement and rightly so! As they travelled along, they came alongside the Danger Zone of the PIT. This PIT is not a physical place you will find on a map; it is the PIT of dissatisfaction. Our enemy Satan wants us to stop alongside his PIT so that we can hear his words of discouragement and lies.

God had already provided the Israelites with “manna,” sweet, heavenly bread that tasted like wafers made from honey. However, the words of dissatisfaction coming from the PIT stop was to entice the Israelites to remember their old patterns of life back in Egypt with fondness and longing. They were remembering the fish, leeks, cucumbers, and melons. All at “No Cost”! What? No Cost? Certainly brutal, oppressive slavery for 400 years was a very high price to pay for such foodstuffs! The word from this PIT stop was certainly dangerous! The children of Israel began to crave the past and things they had been tied to and listened to twisted lies. They forgot all that God had done for them; they forgot about their freedom. They began to grumble and complain. God gave them meat to eat and in the process, He humbled them so that they would know that man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from God.

We often do the same things and make little stops along our life’s road. Hopefully, instead of stopping alongside the dangerous PIT stops along our life’s road, we choose to stop at God’s rest areas to receive fresh food and fresh water from God.

- Pastor Phillip   

 

 

Prayer Makes a Difference

 

Throne Room Etiquette - 03/15/09

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication - ACTS

Quite often during ancient times, kings and rulers were unapproachable and the common people were excluded from the court of the rulers. This privilege was usually granted to only the highest advisors of the king. Today however, the Born Again Believer has a better covenant with our King. The scripture in Hebrews 4:16 informs us that we can go boldly before the throne of grace at any time to approach our King. The invitation to God’s throne is not just to find help during a time of need, it is always open. You see our position is of the highest order; we are the children of the King and always have access to our Father the King. Although we have this privilege, it is a good idea to know and adhere to correct etiquette and protocol. When approaching the King, while he sits on his Throne in his Majesty, we must exhibit the deepest respect and honor. It is our ACTS that bring glory to Him.  

We begin with Adoration. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.” We should shower him with praise for who He is. He is the creator of both heaven and earth even directing the orbits of the planets and all celestial objects. There are countless reasons why we should adore our Lord.  

Our next step is to make Confession. James 5:16 says, “Confess your trespasses to one another…”Admit those things you know about and all things in your life that do not glorify Him. Confession helps to purify your heart. It also helps to relieve stress. You will begin to feel more comfortable in His presence.  

Thirdly, we give Him Thanks. Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We should express our appreciation for life, salvation, jobs, home, children, good health, etc.  

Lastly, we humbly submit our Supplications. While Daniel was speaking and confessing his sins before God, the angel Gabriel visited him. Gabriel let him know that from the beginning of his supplications, God gave the command to answer his prayer Daniel 9:23. 

You may or may not agree with throne room etiquette, but knowing and adhering to it shows respect and reverence for our heavenly Father. We do not need to fear anything when entering His presence. Our God is orderly and when a saint approaches the throne room with proper etiquette, this certainly gets God’s attention. It brings Him glory, honor and praise. Then His favor is turned toward us and we become showered in His kindness, care, and love. What father wouldn’t pour out all his best on his child that approaches him with ACTS of honor and respect?  

- Addie Cousar   

 

 

Critically Important - 03/08/09

Critically Important - 3/8/09 With mustard seed-like faith, the Believer accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is critically important to know that at that very moment, the Holy Spirit enters the heart of the Believer, and He comes equipped with everything the Believer needs to live holy. It is critically important that the Believer learns who the Holy Spirit is and His indwelling purpose. It is critically important to know that the God of the Old Testament is the same God in the New Testament. Both Testaments are critically important. The Old directs the saints to the New. In 1 Peter 1:1-10, the Holy Spirit describes a life that is pleasing to God. Believers must be diligent in their pursuit of faith, virtue, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. Both the Old and the New Testaments are filled with examples of how this is done.  

Throughout the Book of Daniel, Daniel demonstrates many of these virtues. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were beaten and put into jail, but their circumstances did not stop them from worshiping God. Their godly character opened the pathway for miracles.  

We are not walking this narrow pathway alone. It is critically important to remember that the Holy Spirit abides inside of us, and is always available to give us directions. In Proverbs 3:6, He admonishes the Believer to acknowledge Him in all their ways, and He shall direct their paths.  

As a Good Shepherd, He tenderly leads the Believer down the pathway of righteousness, and it is critically important that they trust and believe in Him with all their heart, with all their mind, and with all their strength. It is critically important to remember that God is forever pleased with doers of His word.  

- Addie Cousar 

 

 

The Benefits of the Righteous - 03/01/09

Throughout the Word of God, countless scriptures remind us of the benefits of righteous living. Dictionary.com defines righteous as morally upright; without sin or guilt. One of the more commonly used definitions of righteousness is right standing with God. What are some of the benefits of the righteous? 

Psalm 12:7 says, “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.” The Lord’s attention is forever directed toward the righteous. As an attentive mother knows the sound of her baby’s cry, the Lord knows even the slightest moan of the righteous. 

Proverbs 34:17 and 10:24 say, the righteous have their prayers heard and their desires granted. We should go boldly before the Throne of Grace because we know that God will listen to our prayers. The righteous do not become stagnant. Psalm 64:10 says that they flourish as a branch. Ps 25:14 says that the righteous know the secrets of the Lord. He knows that they can be trusted. Is 33:15 says, they dwell in security. Therefore, they should never be fearful.  

The Lord has given the righteous numerous benefits. We have listed just a few. They receive His blessings during life, and at the end of life, they shall see Him face to face. This puts them into a win, win situation. Christians should desire righteousness; they should seek it and when they find it, they should hold on to it. They should seek it with all their heart, with their entire mind and with all their strength.  

- Addie Cousar