Passion to Proclaim

Samson: An Improper View of Love

2011-02-10T05:36:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming and many people will buy things out of love for another. But what is true love? What is a proper view of love?

Samson fell in love with a woman in the Book of Judges. He saw someone he liked, he pursued her, and he lost her. She married another. Next time he found someone, Delilah, they took advantage of him in the name of love. Samson was a man of appetites, especially in his love life. Is this really love? or Lust?

Our world and the enemy of our souls says crave it, grab it, and consume it! Whatever feels good do it! Our enemy and the world is wrong when it comes to love. Love is not just a feeling, but it is a choice of the will. Love is a self-less surrender. Love is choice. Love is mutual submission between two people. Feelings may come and go, but a choice found firm in Christ should stand forever. p.rob

Gethsemane Moment!

2010-03-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

Gethsemane was known for it's olive oil. To get that olive oil, olives would be pressed by stone. As they were squeezed, the oil was gathered and contained. It is in Gethsemane that we find Jesus praying.

As He prayed, He sweat drops of blood. For the weight of the sins of humanity were pressing down on Him. Jesus prayed a prayer in the face of the enemy, he prayed a prayer of removal, he prayed a prayer of consecration, and he prayed a prayer of victory! Jesus said, "not my will, but yours be done."

What about you? Have you consecrated all to Jesus? Have you prayed a prayer of consecration: "not my will, but yours be done Lord?" p.rob

It's all new!

2010-02-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

Some things are better new such as: chewing gum, tissues, etc. Recently, I heard that a church got a few donated toilets. Some things are better new! In the book of Revelation, after all of the most controversial and heavy subjects of 666, the antichrist, the fall of Babylon, the final battles God tells us that He will make all things new.

God tells us that he will make a new heaven and earth, a new city Jerusalem, a new relationship will come, and that a new day will begin. I like new! How about you?

What about a new relationship with Jesus? New means "first time," according to Webster. What about a new relationship with your family, spouse, friends? What does God need to make new in your life? p.rob

Adoration of the Almighty

2010-02-04T15:28:00.000-08:00

Searching through the internet for pictures of "adoration" one will find pictures of babies, friends, animals, and world religions. Adoration is serious subject for it is what or who we adore that has our attention.

John in the book of Revelation, reveals the adoration that is given to the Lamb of God. 24 elders gather and worship the Lamb by bowing down to Him. They sing His praise and cry out Holy, Holy, Holy is the one who was, who is, and who is to come. They adore Him!

What about you? What do you adore? What are you giving your adoration to? p.rob

Start Well! End Well!

2010-01-10T20:54:00.000-08:00

It is a new year. It is a new start for some. This year can be different than the last. Jesus said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End."

I truly believe that if you start well in this new year, you will end well in this new year. Start with Jesus and you will end with Him.

What about you? Do you want to start this year off right? Start with Jesus! p.rob

Preparation for the coming Messiah!

2009-12-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

Preparation takes time. Preparing for a new baby takes a lot of work. The house has to get ready. The room has to get ready. The parents have to get ready. Life will be changing. I wonder about when Jesus was coming.

Mary was told about his prophecy in Isaiah 7-9 and by the angel. People were hoping for the Messiah. Mary and Joseph made preparations for Jesus to come.

What about you? Are you prepared for Jesus to come? Is your heart ready? Are you prepared to see Jesus this Christmas? Get ready, Jesus is coming! p.rob

Thanksgiving!

2009-11-22T18:57:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is amazing! I am so thankful this year! God has blessed us in tremendous ways. But thanksgiving should be included in our prayer life, a singing life, and our testimony life.

Have you thanked the Lord lately? p.rob

Ability of Christ!

2009-10-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

America's Got Talent has been a crazy show to watch at times. A chicken grabber from KY just won first place. It is amazing to see the talent of people in America. But there One that is more talented than all of the contestants. Jesus.

Paul tells us in Ephesians that Jesus has the ability to give us strength, power, and able to do more than we ask, say, or think. (Eph. 3) It is awesome to know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has all the ability to change our world.

Do you need a little Jesus in your life? He can radically change your situation, your home, your heart, your life, and your world! Allow Him! p.rob

Alive in Christ!

2009-10-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

I came alive when a snake was going to bite my foot in Kentucky! I jumped! I ran! I screamed! I shouted! I moved away very quickly! One thing about Jesus is that He can make you come alive!

Paul tells the Ephesians in chapter 2 that they were once dead in transgressions and sins, but since Christ lives in them now they are alive. The dead have come back alive! He moves them to say that salvation is a gift from God through faith. Also, he tells them that they are God's workmanship to do good works.

What about you? Are you alive in Christ or are you dead in transgressions and sins? Jesus can help you come alive spiritually? Ask Jesus to bring you back to life! p.rob

Passionately Poured Out!

2009-09-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

When water is poured out from a pitcher it flows. Just like water being poured out we too need to be poured out for Jesus.

Paul tells Timothy that he is being poured out like a drink offering. He explains to Timothy that he has "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith," in 2 Timothy 4:7. He lets Timothy know that there is a prize at the end of life. Paul poured his life out!

What about you? Are you poured out for Jesus? Are you willing to pour out your life for the cause of Christ? p.rob

No Fear!

2009-09-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

No fear! That was a popular slogan in the mid 90's with t-shirts, caps, and stickers. But in the Bible there were many who showed no fear. I think of David and Goliath, Joseph and Potiphar's wife, Daniel and the Lions, and many others.

Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind. He ultimately can take away all of our fears. The Holy Spirit can do a work in our lives that gives us no fear!

What about you? What are you afraid of? Are you struggling with fear? Trust God and allow the Holy Spirit consume you and take away your fears. p.rob

Contentment: a current culture crisis

2009-08-30T20:14:00.001-07:00

I had no shoes and I complained until I met a man without any feet! Our culture is dealing with a virus of discontentment. People are not content with their spouses, homes, cars, careers, and such. It seems that we have an epidemic of discontented, dishearted, and disconnected people.

Paul tells Timothy that "godliness with contentment is great gain." You see "godliness" must be the foundation for our contentment. Without Christ there is no contentment. The Holy Spirit must be were our contentment is found. Without Him you will always be discontented.

What about you? Are you struggling with the culture with contentment? When will you come to long for the presence of God more than other things? p.rob

Be an Example

2009-08-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Goliath threatened the Israelite army. A little boy named David was willing to stand for God and stand against Goliath. Ultimately, David, a young lad, won the battle with the help of God.

Paul tells Timothy to let no one look down on him because he is young. Young people are called to be an example to all believers in word, deed, love, faith, and purity. God is calling young people out to stand for God!

What about you? Are you being a Christlike example? p.rob

Leaders in God's House

2009-08-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

Many materials make up a house: wood, tile, copper pipe, drywall, and paint to name a few. Out of all of those materials all of them are important to have a well-built home. It is the same in God's house.

God wants leaders to be men and women of godliness. 1 Timothy 3 tells us to weave the fabric of godliness into our lives to be in the house of God. Paul tells Timothy to be above reproach as a leader in many areas.

What about you? Is God calling you to leadership? Be above reproach! p.rob

Pray?

2009-08-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

A little church began to pray for a bar to be closed. Lightning hit the bar! The owner sued the church for praying against his business. The church's position was that their prayers did not hurt his business. Why is it that people that don't know Jesus understand the power of prayer, but the church doesn't believe?

Paul tells Timothy in his 1st letter to him to pray. He tells him to offer up thanksgiving, make intercession, and to pray for leaders and lost people. Prayer is where the power is. God moves by the prayers of His people.

Are you spending time with the Divine Creator? Are you in Holy Communion with Him on a daily basis? Pray! p.rob

The good, the bad, and the ugly

2009-08-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

One little boy remembers his childhood to be filled with abuse, and violence. He only remembers his father beating him. That little boy grew up to be Adolf Hitler, who killed millions of jews. That is ugly! He needed God's grace for salvation!

God's amazing grace can be poured out abundantly Paul tells Timothy in his first letter. Paul was a bad dude that was killing Christians. He was ugly! He needed God's grace! He received an outpouring of His grace and realized how good God is.

What about you? Do you need God's grace to be poured out on you? It doesn't matter how ugly you are spiritually, God's grace can be yours in abundance. p.rob

Stop the Roller Coaster!

2009-07-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

Roller coasters are great! They go up, down, spiral, around and around. I really like them. Not long ago I rode the Hulk in Orlando, it was great! One thing about roller coasters that I do not like is sometimes they make you sick.

You know sometimes our spiritual lives are like roller coasters and seem to go up and down. One day living for Jesus and the next living for ourselves. You know, God provides something that can cure that problem: entire sanctification. Look it up (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24; John 17). Your heart can be cleansed of doublemindedness and you can be stop the roller coaster!

Check it out! God can give you victory over sin and self! He is waiting to fill your heart and bring some consistancy to your walk. Give Him all today. p.rob

Missional God

2009-07-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

This past week we had missionaries to Russia come and speak at our church. We were excited to see the Kingdom of God being advanced in another part of the world. We love missions!

Our heavenly Father is missional. He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to us, so that we might have the opportunity to be saved. The beautiful story of salvation comes from the heart of a missional God.

What about you? Do you have a heart for missions? Our Father in heaven does. Get involved in three ways: Pray! Go! and Give! p.rob

Restoring the Image of God

2009-07-05T21:43:00.001-07:00

A black Camaro crashed at high speed off of highway 15 south in Haddix, KY. The driver was badly beaten, bruised, and scarred. The driver survived and had a long road to recovery ahead of him. Just like this driver, who was badly beaten, people are badly beaten with sin and need to be recovered.

Adam and Eve in Genesis were created in the image of God or self-giving love, but willful sin marred that image with self-centeredness. God's plan of restoration came after man's plan that led to separation and alienation. God can instantly tranform someone, but it often takes time to restore the brokenness.

Do you need to be restored into the image of God? Have you been searching for things that do not satisfy? Allow God to restore His image in you by giving Him your battered heart today! rob

The Truth Hurts

2009-06-28T19:37:00.000-07:00

The truth hurts or so they say. I believe it. In high school, I got into a fight and lost and then I actually got paddled for being in a fight. I told the truth, but the paddle still hurt.

Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet in the Bible. He was called upon by God to deliver a message to the people of Israel. The message was to repent or God would bring judgment on the people. Jeremiah had to preach the truth of God, but it cost him. Jeremiah spoke the truth and the people wanted to kill him.

Are you speaking the truth? Are you being truthful? I pray that the Lord will give you a holy boldness to be a person of truth. p.rob

No longer a slave!

2009-05-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

Recently, the movie Amazing Grace came out about William Wilberforce, who fought his entire life to end the English slave trade. Well, slavery has not ended. Today in the world there are thousands of people affected by human trafficking. Children, men, and women are still being abused as slaves.

The book of Philemon gives us a beautiful picture of God's amazing grace. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who ran away, but ran into Jesus and Paul. He was radically transformed, but was sent back to Philemon with a letter. The message: take Onesimus as a brother, no longer as a slave.

What about you? Are you loving your brothers and sisters? Are you loving your neighbor? Ask Jesus to give you eyes to see the world the way He sees it. rob

thanks mom!

2009-05-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is a great day to celebrate those who gave us life. Each one of us have one thing in common, we all had a mother. Choose life: your mom did!

In the Bible, Hannah was a Godly mother. She was a mother that prayed for her child. She was a mother that served. She was a mother that worshiped the Lord!

What about you? Do you pray, serve, and worship the living God? Have a great mommy's day! p.rob

On Fire!

2009-04-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Never ever yell fire in a public building. I learned that one the hard way. But in some ways I pray that churches and people have flames ignited in their lives for Jesus.

The Holy Spirit wants to set your personal love life on fire for Jesus!
The Holy Spirit wants to set your private prayer life on fire for Jesus!
The Holy Spirit wants to set your public witnessing life on fire for Jesus!

Our God is a consuming fire! The question is does He consume you? Let Jesus set you on fire and you will burn until you die.

Easter Life!

2009-04-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Easter eggs, bunnies, and candy is what the world tells us that Easter is all about. But the reality is that it is about Jesus Christ-- His death and resurrection. To live the Easter life one must go through 4 stages:

Consecration: Jesus in the garden prayed: "not my will but Yours be done."
Crucifixion: Jesus at Golgotha laid His own life down.
Conquering: Jesus in the grave conquered sin, hell, and the grave.
Celebration: Jesus in Galilee celebrated with His disciples His resurrection.

What about you? Do you need to consecrate your all to Jesus Christ? Do you need to be crucified? Do you need Jesus to conquer sin in your life? Do you need to celebrate the work of the Savior in your life? rob

Vision

2009-03-29T21:17:00.000-07:00

Recently, we have fused two churches together to start a new work called BridgePoint Church. We were blessed with a large crowd of worshipers this past weekend. God is moving! We have a new vision.

BrigdgePoint Church exists to bridge hope to the world through Christ by renewing hearts, rebuilding families, and restoring lives. We truly want to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

If you are without hope today find comfort in this: there is hope in Jesus Christ! God is with you and He wants to live inside you. He can give you a new vision. rob

How Much More?

2009-03-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was working with a group of teenagers on a rock wall. One teen actually dropped a rock and smashed his finger. It bled pretty bad. As I thought about that incident I began to think about the life giving blood of Jesus Christ.

The author of Hebrews in chapter 9 deals with the blood of Jesus Christ that is a personal offering, a corporate offering, and an eternal offering. The question that arises is "how much more? is the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ greater than the blood of animal sacrifices? The answer is that there is power in the blood of Jesus Christ to set you free.

Are you free today? Do you need the blood of Jesus Christ to set you free? Ask Jesus to set your free from sin through His own blood. rob

Rest in Christ!

2009-03-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

A Long Island resident purchased a new barometer for his home. When he opened the package the barometer displayed a hurricane setting. The resident shook the barometer, but nothing changed. He wrote a nasty letter to the company about his barometer and mailed it on his way to work. When the resident returned home, it was gone! His home and barometer had been destroyed by a hurricane. The resident didn't believe!

Unbelief keeps us from resting in Christ according to Hebrews chapter 3 & 4. Unbelief leads to disobedience and a hardened heart! Adam and Eve doubted God's goodness and they both fell. The author of Hebrews tells us to have faith, live obediently, and have a heart that is soft for God to use.

What about you? Are you restless and full of doubt? Do you believe God when He speaks? Do you have unbelief in your heart? Ask God to take away your unbelief and give you an obedient heart! rob

Above All

2009-03-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

The tight rope walker was above the Niagra Falls and asked for a volunteer to jump into a wagon and be pushed on the tight rope. One brave soul jumped out of the crowd to volunteer. The brave soul trusted the tight rope walker to keep him from falling into the water below. Just like trusting this tight rope walker, we too must trust Jesus Christ to keep us from falling. He can, for He is above all.

What is it in your life to do need Christ to be above all in? Addiction, habits, difficulties, anger, trials, etc. The list could go on. Hebrews 1:1-4 tells us that Christ is above all and that He can provide what is necessary for us.

Allow JC to become above all things in your life! rob

What to Love!

2009-02-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

Love is an action word! In our day there seems to be a lack of love for people around us. Mother Theresa thought it completely crazy to think that as Americans we can promote love, but also promote murder of the unborn. Love in word and action must be our practice.

John tells us over 30 times to "love one another" in 1 John 4. He tells us that love comes from God and if you really love God, you must love your brother. If a person loves God, but doesn't love his brother, the Bible says that person is a liar.

Ultimately, ask yourself do I love everyone? My wife, husband, ex-wife, ex-husband, children, family members, coworkers, classmates, etc. If you can not say you love them, ask God to give you a perfect love for others. rob

What Not To Love!

2009-02-15T20:20:00.000-08:00

She loves me, she loves me not! A young man attempted to win back the heart of a young lady by writing her letters. He wrote 1 per day, but that didn't get a response from her. He increased it to 3 per day and still not response. Finally, he read the newspaper to only find she had married the postman.

John tells us not to love the world or the things of the world: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life. All of these things are what the world says is valuable to love. But John warns us that only the man or woman that does God's will is the one that is valuing the most important thing.

What do you love? Your house, car, job, etc.? The Lord wants us to love Him will all and not love the worldly things that are out there. Love not the world! rob

People get ready! Jesus is Coming!

2009-02-08T20:06:00.000-08:00

Books, videos, and theories all surround the second coming of Jesus Christ. What will it be like? Matthew tells us that there will be wars, rumors of wars, nations against nations, persecution, and increase in wickedness. It sounds like today.

Peter tells us in his 2nd book in chapter 3 to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ. He tells us that the earth will be destroyed by fire and judgment will come to the wicked. He asks the question: How should we live in knowing this? We should live holy and Godly lives!

Are you ready for Jesus' return? If not get ready and also help get others ready for the coming of Jesus. Don't wait. Jesus' has been patient already. Come to repentance! rob

Don't Go Back!

2009-02-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

Balloons will leak if they are not tied. Tires will deflate without proper air. Buckets leak when they have holes in them. Christians leak, deflate, and go back to the old way of life when they make choices that break God's heart. God doesn't want us to turn back toward sin. He wants us to go onto holiness!

Peter tells us in 2 Peter 2 that some people get retangled into sin and actually get overcome with sin again. He says that these believers are worse off than when they first came to Jesus. Peter illustrates this problem with a dog returning to its vomit and a pig returning to its pig pen. Peter would know for he chose to deny Christ-He went back, but later was restored. .

What about you? Are you backsliden or backsliding? Jeremiah, Hosea, Zechariah, and Peter all have something to say about stopping backsliding by turning toward God. Pray God gives you concrete feet so that you don't backslide! Don't go Back! rob

Qualities of a growing Christian

2009-01-26T07:51:00.001-08:00

Plants, trees, and flowers all need the proper nutrients to grow! Just like plants our spiritual walk as Christians need the proper nutrients to grow. Peter tells us in his 2nd book chapter 1:1-11 says what the qualities of a growing Christian are.

Faith + Goodness + Knowledge + Self-control+ Perseverance + Godliness + Brotherly Kindness + Love (all of these at the same time should be increasing in our Christian walk)

= (positive end result-growing) effectiveness and productivity in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
= (negative end result-not growing) nearsighted and blindness and forgetting what Jesus Christ has done for the person.

Peter tells us to make sure our calling and election to salvation are sure by having these things evident and increasing in our lives! Grow! rob

Live Like A.liens!

2009-01-18T21:09:00.001-08:00

"Live like aliens!" Peter tells us in his first book chapter 2:4-12. Aliens are described as being different and from another planet. Peter tells the church and all christians to live in such a way that their lives are different from the world.

Today, it is very easy to "fit in" to the world. We have so many things that cause us to flow with the culture instead of living counter-cultural. Jesus tells us to be in the world, but not the world. Peter tells us to live as Living stones; God's people; and like Aliens! We are a spiritual house, a priesthood, and a people with a different citizenship than this earth.

Are you living like an alien or are you living to fit into the world? Ask yourself that question when it comes to the next large purchase in you life or when your asked about your faith. Like like an alien for Jesus sake! rob

Challenges from Peter

2009-01-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

Being challenged to do something today is very common place. There are TV programs that involve being challenged and asked to participate in challenging events. What is interesting is that most people are up for the challenge! I hope your up for the challenge from Old Peter!

Peter in his first letter gives us some blunt challenges:

Challenge to prepare your minds for action. 1:13
Challenge to rid yourselves of all sinful things. 2:1
Challenge to arm yourselves with the attitude of Jesus. 4:1
Challenge to be clear minded and self controlled. 4:7

I challenge you to think like Peter, an old preacher, follower of Jesus, disciple of Christ, and old fisher of men! What is he challenging you to this new year? Are you up for the challenge? rob

Following Christmas: The Wisemen

2008-12-22T07:51:00.000-08:00

Wisemen still seek Him today! The Wisemen traveled hard and long to see the King! They were willing to travel for up to 2 years to reach the baby Jesus! They came from a far to worship the King.

They brought gifts and gave humbly to Jesus. Gold for the King, incense for the Priest, and myrrh for His ultimate Sacrifice. Worship is giving of yourself to God! Are you willing to give God your all?

This Christmas think about giving your all Jesus. The Wisemen searched for the King and they found Him. Jesus tells us if we seek Him we will find Him if we search for Him with all our heart. Merry Christmas! rob

Following Christmas: The Shepherds

2008-12-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas is all about the coming of Christ and the hope of a Savior! It is amazing to see that one of the first groups of people the message of the Savior came to was to the Shepherds. The smelly, hard working, nomads, that traveled were their sheep took them. The angels trusted them with the message of the Savior.

The Shepherds went to Bethlehem and saw the baby: the hope of the world. They then shared that message to everyone. People were amazed! The Shepherds returned to their work with praise and adoration for God.

Be like the Shepherd and share the message of Christ this Christmas with those that need hope only found in the Savior. rob

Following Christmas: King Herod

2008-12-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas for the wrong reasons! When we look into the Christmas story we find that King Herod followed the Christmas story for himself. He was informed of another threat to his position and throne and he had to destroy it. The Christ child became his target to get rid of.

When we allow the world to tell us what Christmas is all about we to side with Herod in the destruction of Christmas. Christmas is about Christ! It is not about your gifts, your things, and your family! It is about Jesus!

This Christmas let this year be the year you let Christ rule in your life and heart! Don't be like Herod and celebrate x-mas, instead celebrate Christ-mas! rob

Spiritual Check-up!

2008-11-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

You need a check-up! Not only do we need check-ups physically with our bodies by trained professionals, our spiritual lives need constant care. Right now are you physically doing well? What about spiritually with your walk with Christ?

Are you up-to-date with your relationship with Jesus? Ask yourself these questions?

Am I hiding or am I honest?
Am I open or am I closed?
Am I hot/cold or am I lukewarm?
Am I real or am I fake?

Hopefully, you can say that you are being honest with God and not hiding anything. Hopefully, you can say you are being open to the voice of God. Hopefully, you can say you are being useful to God. Hopefully you can say that you are being real before God and people. If not you need to have the Great Physician--Jesus Christ work on your spiritual life. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a check-up! rob

Thanksgiving is giving!

2008-11-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is giving! Every year at Thanksgiving I can remember eating with people that I was not related to. We gave of ourselves and involved others. Giving is Thanksgiving!

God desires His people to be givers! God desires us to give Him our selves, our time, our income, and our praise and thanksgiving. He also desires us to give to others our love and help.

Are you giving to God and to others? May the Lord help you become a giver this Thanksgiving!
rob

Thanksgiving is Sharing!

2008-11-16T19:27:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving has an unique heritage around it. The first Thanksgiving involved pilgrims and indians coming together and sharing. The meal they had together brings out the real meaning of Thanksgiving in that they put aside their differences and they celebrated their commonalities.

Recently, we celebrated Thanksgiving with another church and we came together in worship to share in our expression of thanks to our Creator-- the Lord Jesus Christ. We had a wonderful time of fellowship! The main ingredient: Sharing!

Thanksgiving is coming soon and God desires you to be thankful. Let God use you this Thanksgiving by sharing His love with others! rob

Submit to God!

2008-11-09T14:17:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was placed in a submission move by a Karate Instructor. He grabbed my hand and twisted it to the point that I was not able to move it. He applied a little pressure to get me to sit down and to move from place to place. Ultimately, he was in control of the situation!

James 4:7 says, "Submit to God..." God desires us to submit to Him as His followers. He needs to be in control of our lives. In this passage, James completely gives a contrast between submitting to the world and submitting to God. Submitting to the world leads us to becoming enemies of God, but submitting to God leads us to a life of holiness.

Submission involves let God have control! What areas in your life need God's control: thoughts, actions, words, etc. Ask the Holy Spirit to have control in your life! Submit to God! rob

Taming the Tongue

2008-11-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Lions, lepards, tigers, and elephants are huge creatures that have all been tamed by a trainer at one time or another. It is amazing that such large animals can be tamed by discipline. The human tongue is something that needs to be tamed as well.

James 3 gives us this outline: the tongue is a tool for teaching, small part of the body, untamable by man, and two edged sword. Out of the same tongue comes blessing and cursing James says. And he shares that this should not be. The tongue can become out of control! It just takes a little spark to set the forest on fire.

If your tongue is out of control and needs to be tamed, pray to God and ask the Holy Spirit have control of your tongue. Ask Him to put a check at your mouth! May your tongue be used as an instrument for God! rob

Faith in Action

2008-10-26T18:29:00.000-07:00

Basketball...baseball...track...and gymnastics all have one thing in common and that is there must be a little action. It is the same thing with Christianity. Faith without action is dead!

James 2:17 says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Ultimately, the Christian walk must move from just listening to the Word of God to doing what it says. Action involves getting into the game or getting your feet wet or getting your hands dirty. Whatever you want to call it there must be Action!

If you find yourself becoming complacent in area of your life, ask God to ignite your faith with a holy fire that puts you right in the fight. Get off the bench and into the game! The coach is calling you and the crowd needs you! rob

Monsters!

2008-10-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have been attempting to understand the entire concept behind "monsters." This month is the month that most people promote Halloween and other scary things. What is so facinating about "monsters?"

In the Word of God Paul states, "For in my inner being I delight iin God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Bluntly saying it, "I have a monster within!"

Monsters are scary! Monsters are ugly! Monsters need destroyed! Only through the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can one be cleansed of the monster within. Maybe you're struggling with a Monster Within. Ask God to remove it completely out of your life and then you will have victory! rob