Destroyed

                                                                                                       







2 Cor.5:1-7 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,  for we walk by faith, not by sight. Although this is just a metaphor for our physical body, and our believer's resurrected glorified body, it could in a sense, be applied to the destruction of homes due to tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, etc. God wants us to invest our lives in people, spend our energy loving people, and show them Christ with our actions. This includes using our money, which comes from the grace of God, to help people in need. Matt.6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt.6:3-4 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matt.6:31-34 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Lord, we know what You want from us, for Your Word is clear. Change our hearts everyday from our sinful nature so we can reflect You towards the lost and hurting. Forgive us when we fail. Amen
Romans 10:10-18  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

Do You See God?

John 1:34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."
I have not physically seen Jesus but I know He is here. I see evidence of God's Son in His creation, His Word and His people! His Word is alive and brings people to repentance! Our salvation comes through no one else! If you are waiting on a physical encounter with God, you will receive it through His Word, for His Word is alive and will change your heart forever!! His word is light in a world filled with darkness.
John 1 :1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Suppose you were a small child with a brain tumor that caused you to have many seizures a day. Suppose that same child's family loved Christ and followed Him by faith. Suppose you had to make a choice about brain surgery that could take away some of your childs' mental or physical capacity! Could you totally lean on Christ? This family did! They poured out their prayer to a Holy merciful God to take care of their son, in a way that would glorify Jesus name. They followed in faith, into an unknown place of pain and suffering, leaning on God's promise that He would be there!! And God was there for them and will be there until they meet Him in heaven! And you know what is even more amazing, God will use them to help others as they walk a similar path. This precious family was chosen by God for His purpose.
Heb.13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
2 Cor.1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Eph.1:9-10 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I can't help but think of all the people who are in turmoil at this very moment because they do not have peace in the Lord. It makes me think of this bible verse that I strive to live, but being human, I am often weak and fail. Matt.6:27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Why waste precious time worrying about things you can not control? Trust in Christ for no matter what the day brings He will be there! Lord, You have told us You will never leave or forsake us. Give us faith from Your Word to live and trust in You. We don't have to worry because You are Lord and King over all things. Amen

The Walk On the Road To Emmaus

This morning my bible truth was about when Jesus arose from the grave. He appeared to a group of men, one in particular, Cleopas, who were conversing about the events of the Crucifixion. Here is the spoken truth:
Luke 24: 13-35 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Thank God Jesus has risen from the grave and our faith is not in vain, He Is ALIVE!!!
We serve a risen Savior and He is with us everyday!! He is with you when you get a bad diagnosis, when you loose a loved one, when your spouse leaves you, you loose your job, a natural disaster takes everything thing you own, you are falsely accused, even when your children are driving you nuts with misbehaving, He is really there, go to His word!
Deut.31:8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
1 Cor.15:13-22 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
My pastor told us of a man who was being persecuted for following Christ and telling others of the hope he had found in Jesus. The man was imprisoned and received many beatings from a certain guard. He began to thank the guard after the beatings and to praise God for using him to share the gospel. The guard called him crazy but the man still continued to thank him and praise God. In the end, the guard was touched by the man's witness for God and was saved from his sin by accepting Jesus as Lord. So you see, God uses all circumstances for His purposes. Lord, use us to build Your kingdom. Let us teach the wonder that is You, through Your Word and by Your power. Amen

Tornadoes and The Trustworthiness of God

Pastor David's sermon from the Sunday after the devastating Tornadoes that hit Alabama, taken from God's Word, Job 1; Luke 13:1-5. As of today, 245 dead and at least 240 missing, just from Alabama alone.

Job 1 ESV

Job's Character and Wealth

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it." 8 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." 12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Satan Takes Job's Property and Children

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 17"The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORDgave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.Luke 13:1-5

Repent or Perish

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." What do we need to remember? These tornadoes remind us that life is unpredictable! Suffering is usually surprising. Life is never safe. (Your job, home, bank account or your family is not your security, Jesus is!)Our death is sure!These tornadoes remind us of the penalty of sin which plagues all of us! Our sin is universal. Our suffering is inevitable. All have sinned and the penalty for that sin is death. Suffering is a by-product of sin. These tornadoes remind us to repent and be reconciled to God! Turn from sin.Trust in Him.These tornadoes remind us of the sovereignty of our God! Ps.46:1-2  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea Ps.46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" We will praise Him in this storm!! Ps.121:I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The sovereignty of God is the only foundation for worship in the midst of tragedy. Ps.103:19  The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. AmenGod is in control, He is with us and He is for us. Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Satan is conquered and God is victorious!God's sovereignty guarantees us that one day suffering will conclude. Rev.21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Is.25:8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. Ultimately, tragedy on Earth can only be understood rightly from the perspective of heaven. God sees the whole picture. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. These tornadoes remind us of the urgency of our mission!Life is fleeting. James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. People are perishing!Eternity is coming!!Lord, You are sovereign over all! You calm storms, seas, hearts, and souls. Give us peace in You! Amen

The Just and The Unjust

Matt. 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
So, God gives grace and mercy indiscriminately! Not by whether we deserve it, but because He loves us regardless. Very humbling isn't it? What does that mean? It means there is nothing you can do to warrant the grace or mercy of God. Romans 9:14-16 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
How rich is His grace? 1Peter1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Eph.1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
He sent His Son:
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Definition of grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification, a virtue coming from God, a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
Definition of mercy: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
Definition of just: Consistent with what is morally right; righteous
Definition of unjust: not righteous
Rain is a blessing from the Lord! But it can also be used as a judgement, as the example of the flood in Noah's day shows us. We do not know if we will live the next minute because Almighty God is the author of our life. He has numbered our days since before we were made. Ps.139:13-17 NIV For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Lord, someone today needs to hear Your Word. It will be by Your will that they will read this today. Open their heart to receive Your good news, Christ gave us life through His death and resurrection. Amen