God freed the Israelites from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had seen his power as no other people in History. So, you would think their faith would be solid.

But in Exodus 32 the people gather around Aaron and say: Up, make for us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.

Instead of being on the Lord’s side Aaron gathers all their gold and fashions a Golden Calf. Then he says: These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!

In the meantime, God sees this and tells Moses what has happened – and that He is going to destroy them. After much intercession by Moses, God relents.

When Moses confronts his brother, Aaron’s sad excuse is: So, they gave me their gold and I threw it into the fire and out came this calf.

But the BREAK WITH GOD IS SO SERIOUS that Moses has to start with a fresh appeal for a renewed commitment: “Who is on the LORD’S side? Come to me.”

Friend, are you ready to renew your vow to the Lord? Then commit to leave your sinful habits and never to return to your old hangouts. Now, out loud, say: “Lord, I am on your side.”

Apps to help: Discipline = 7-Weeks; Porn Free = R-Tribe; Alcohol-Free = Nomo; Internet & Cell protection = Net Nanny.

 

Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Legendary baseball player Babe Ruth once said, “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” We must convince ourselves of this. We must instill this in our children.  As we prepare our children for the path, and not the path for our children, we have to remind them that life is not always easy but we must persevere.

Jesus told his closest disciples in John 16:33 “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He was assuring them that life was not going to be easy.  In fact, they were going to face extreme adversity and all but one of them would die because of their faith.  We may not face the type of severe persecution that they endured, but we face many difficulties in life that may make us want to give up.  Paul told the church at Rome, in Romans 5:3-5 “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint” And in Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

The scriptures talk frequently about adding to, and building, our perseverance.  The more we study, the more we learn the secret of life is to fall seven times and get up eight times.  We have a greater hope. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  Whatever life deals us, we can endure.

We must also persevere when trying to reach our goals.  Ross Perot once said, “most people give up just when they’re about to achieve success.  They quit on the one yard line.” I was reminded so clearly recently, that when you fight for your dreams, you work hard, and persevere, you can achieve more than you ever imagined.

Don’t give up.  Don’t ever give up.

 

Love from a humble heart of peace is the most powerful “weapon” our nation should adopt. Nelson Mandela forged peace when he said … people listen to a humble person who loves peace (paraphrased). *

This morning parents, students, teachers, and a country is waking up asking – is it real? Did this really happen? Did my colleague really die? Is my child never going to come home? **

For many years now, Douwene and I have refused to allow evil violence in our lives. We don’t watch evil, violent movies. We don’t shout at each other. We don’t play violent games. Friend, if you expose yourself to evil violence, you will become evil and violent. However, if you expose yourself to gentleness you will become perfect peace.

It is time for good people to stand up for peace. This world has had enough of violence.

But, if my world is to be peaceful it must start with me. I must find inner peace. I must always be helpful and never hurtful (Eph.4:29). I must do to others as I would have them do to me (Mt.7:12) while loving my neighbor as myself (Lev.19:18).

Dear Father in Heaven, please heal our world – make us instruments of your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

*Nelson Mandela:
https://www.facebook.com/100007031024977/videos/2046309912280023/

**Violence: http://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-news/shooting-at-south-florida-high-school

 

It is often said that most Americans fear public speaking more than death.  That is probably true for people with little or no commitment to God.  If you are a committed Christian, you might have an even bigger fear – sharing the Gospel with your friend.  It can be very frustrating and guilt inducing to constantly hear that you should share the gospel with your friends and neighbors, that their souls depend on you doing this.  In this brief article I want to suggest a low stress way you can fulfill the Great Commission without sweating through your shirt.  Do I have your attention??  Here is a step by step guide that I just saw one of our members use.

1)  Open your eyes and your heart:  Be a good friend to people around you.  Talk, listen, share, invest in relationships with many people.

2)  Pray:  Pray often for those you are close to for receptive hearts and pray that God will open your spiritual eyes to see them.

3)  Become World Bible School Teacher:  Begin studying with someone you don’t know through World Bible School.

4)  Talk About It:  Talk about your experience as a teacher with everyone you know.  Tell them how easy it is, how good the material is, how it is 100% based on the Word and not opinions, how refreshing it is to find real answers.

5)  Listen:  if you share how much fun you are having with this you are almost certain to have at least one person say, can I sign up for that too?

6) Sign Them Up:  Talk to any of the WBS teachers if you need help in this area.

Don’t let the fear of sharing your faith paralyze you so that you never feel the wonderful joy of seeing God use you to bring a sinner back home.  This authentic way of talking to people will lead you to a thirsty soul.

 

Great love has always existed. For humanity, it started in a close relationship with God, Adam and Eve. Unfortunately, Eve allowed Satan to be triangulated into that relationship – thereby forcing God out.

Two things happened immediately that forever altered that original pure love: their security was removed, and the established relationship was altered.

Today, as we move towards a week in which love is celebrated, many couples find hostility instead. Usually, this is because of those same two reasons.

So, husbands, if you have tried everything, but your wife is still hostile, you need to ask yourself if her security or established relationships are being threatened.

Does your wife feel safe with you? That means, safe in every aspect of her life – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

• Does she know that you will never leave her?
• Does she know that you think she is the most beautiful person on earth?
• Does she accept your spiritual leadership because she knows you are close to God?

Does she feel her established relationships are being threatened? Does loving you mean she has to stop loving her parents, children, or friends? Are you currently trying to move her emotionally away from any of these established relationships?

Friend, real love will never return till you return to your God! Through the death of Christ, it is possible to reverse the damage and return to the close relationship that once existed. This is a relationship of innocence, fellowship, & security.

First, Satan must be kicked out and kept out. As soon as he tempts you, take action. How severe is the temptation out of 10? Why are you “triggered”? Why are you tempted? Are you bored? Are you lonely? Are you … etc. Then find someone you can speak to. If there is no one, you need to move into the executive function of your brain. Give yourself two positive choices that will move you out of your “triggered” state.

Secondly, pursue the innocent relationship you once had with God. Talk to God early in the morning through prayer. Read or listen to your bible for at least 15 minutes before doing anything else. So many people have told me they just don’t have that time in the morning. Really? Are you really telling me that you cannot go to bed 15 minutes earlier? Remember, this is not something Satan wants you to do.

Now we are ready to celebrate a week of love. We are ready to revel in the kind of love that Jacob had for the love of his life, Rachel. In Genesis 29:20 we read: So, Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please forgive us for the times in our lives we have allowed Satan to tempt us. We now invite you into our lives, deeper than ever before. We commit to enhance the established relationships and security of those you have placed in our lives.  

In Jesus Name,

Amen. 

 

 

Yesterday I tried to remember when I first fell in love with my wife. When did we first hold hands? When was our first kiss? When did I first proclaim my love for her? It is amazing how years can fade memories.

Similarly, can you remember the first time you walked in step with Jesus? 1 John 1:7 (ESV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

 

Can you remember the moment His purpose became your purpose? Ephesians 3:10–11 (ESV) so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Can you recall the day you said you would forsake all the wealth of the world for a closer walk with Christ? Matthew 19:21 (ESV) Jesus said … go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.

When Jesus reprimanded the Ephesian church of having “abandoned their first love” he gave them a three-step cure: Remember (head), repent (heart), and “do the works you did at first” (hand).

Friend, what are you starving for? A temporary affair with the world OR an eternal holy and happy walk with your first love?

 

Yes, God hears all of our prayers.  When the Israelites were in Egyptian bondage, God heard their prayers and God sent them a deliverer in Moses.

 

 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

Yes, God answers all of our prayers!  God may say “yes” and give you what you have asked for right away.  The answer may not be what you want, but it is still His answer.  God may say “No” if things we ask for are either not good for us, or we do not need it at this time.  Maybe we have wrong motives for wanting something.  James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly.   Maybe God has other plans that we are not aware of.  God is in control and he sees everything and he knows our needs even before we ask him.  God may say, “Not at this time, or Wait for a better time or date”.  God’s time frame and our time frame are very different.  A day to the Lord as is a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day to God.

You do not have because you do not ask God.” James 4:2

Do not be anxious about anything, but with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.”   Philippians 4:6

I know in my Christian life I have seen all 3 examples.  I have prayed for things that I needed right away, like discernment in a tough decision, and I made the right choice.  I have prayed for someone to come back to the church that they had loved and it took 12 years for that prayer to be answered.  And there was not a day that I didn’t pray for that person.  I have prayed over a lot of sick people and many were healed, some were not.

“Be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Brothers and Sisters, we are commanded to pray without ceasing.  I hope one of the things Summit will be known for is that we are “Prayer Warriors”.  We also have the promise that if we ASK it will be given to us, if we SEEK we will find it and if we KNOCK the door will be opened for us.  Like the song we sing: Now Let Us Have a Little Talk With Jesus; Let us Tell Him About Our Troubles; He Will Hear Our Faintest Cry; And He Will Answer By And By.  Amen