Tag Archive - Grace

The Way Out!

March 29, 2011 in Crossover, Discipleship, Encouragement with Comments Off

Recently God has been taking us through a series on Grace. All I can say is WOW! Titus 2:12 says that Grace teaches and I know it does!

I spent some time last night with the kids after youth and they had an awesome night. In reviewing their night with the youth leaders I realized the temptations that bombard them on a daily basis. So much so, that some of them are feeling very low because they are tempted. Which, for whatever reason, I realized all of a sudden that many may be feeling this way and I needed to write this…YOU SHOULDN’T BE!

The bible guarantees the existence of temptation in our lives! It is not something that is always unavoidable, ESPECIALLY, at a young age. However, because of Grace, we are taught to escape! I have always liked this verse and I want to share it with you. My prayer is that someone who needs this will read it, accept it, and find peace to push through their temptations!

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1Co 10:13)

YOU HAVE A WAY OUT!

And for most of you, the reason you are feeling the way you are about temptations is because of Grace! If you have accepted Jesus as your King, then you are surrounded by Grace! In the message this past weekend, we saw many, including youth, give their life to Jesus because they realized their way out. Now, the idea of the message can ring true in our lives:

Grace is the classroom in which I learn to live and my teachers name is Holy Spirit!

You have a way out, STAND UP!

Is Jesus a liar?

July 29, 2010 in Pastors with Comments Off

We all know, as Pastors, a common response that we receive, if we are actively involved in sharing the Gospel on a personal level, (caution: never become so different or blessed in your ministry that “invitations” are the only interaction you have with a persons decision to follow Christ) is “the church is hypocritical”.

Those responses are often greatly varied but they generally always lead to the idea that as “church people” (and I am writing specifically to Pastors) we are perceived to be better than they are and are without sin and therefore find favor with God. That is absolutely not the case!

I can hear some Pastors right now, “well I don’t sin”. I say to you “he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith”. There are many books available right now that deal with this issue of how we are perceived by the secular world and it ain’t good. They hit the mark, but the question is, Are you, as a Leader and Pastor, the origin of this perception?

It is with all love and compassion that I pen this note and it is my prayer that some Pastors and Leaders will read it with an open heart. It’s intent is not to bash, but to speak Truth into your life and give pause to your locomotive journey in Christ Jesus our Lord, and reflect introspectively about how you are being perceived and why?

Pastors are SINNERS!

1 John 1:8-10 is a very familiar passage to any Pastor who has spent time sharing the Gospel on a personal level with folks. We have memorized 1 John 1:9 and quoted many times, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” That verse is so familiar! Only because we have shared it with others. But have you spent time applying 1 John 1:8 and 1 John 1:10 in your ministry?

The fact of the matter is this…

  • We are SINNERS and in all humility are to recognize that! If we claim to be without sin, “the truth is not in us”
  • By making this claim, “we make him out to be a liar” and “his word has no place in our lives”
  • What if you honestly don’t make this claim? That’s Great! But you may still be making Jesus out to be a liar…by the way you are perceived.
  • How are you percieved? You say, “i can’t control that”. YES YOU CAN!

Pastors, we can’t afford to be perceived as sinless! Be real with everyone! Be yourself! Be the person you are talking to! You are not always right, you make mistakes, you are nothing more than a worthless sinner…saved! by grace! thru Faith! in Jesus Christ! Lives are at stake! Self-Righteousness has no place whether intended or portrayed.

Is Jesus a liar? Not for me He isn’t…I am a sinner! Romans 7:7-25