Jesus is glorious, beautiful, and holy. Our words can't even fully describe him. There is no sin in Jesus—yet he took on the curse of sin for us. On the cross, Jesus removed the wrath of God from all those who receive him as Savior and replaced it with his perfect righteousness. When we consider all that Jesus has done, it should bring us to awe, reverence and an outpouring of worship and thanksgiving.
This message comes with a warning. The world as we know it is going to plunge into an unspeakable darkness. Israel will soon be encompassed by enemy armies. Jesus warned us in the last days that many false prophets are going to arise and many people will be deceived because they are not in the Word of God. There is power in the Word of God to bring life, strength and direction. The promises of God are there for you to establish your thoughts so you can get through your day. We can't live on yesterday's bread, that’s why Jesus told us to pray, “Father give us this day our daily bread.” Let’s get into the Word of God and allow the Word of God to get into us.
Do you find yourself dwelling in a booth between bondage and freedom? Do you have an element of your former bondage that is still clinging to you and your exhausted from trying to be a good Christian? All God requires of you is a heart that thirsts for is Kingdom. When your heart is dry and thirsty and you have nothing left to help yourself God will invite you to come to Him and He will be all the supply and resource you will ever need. As you open your heart to God’s promises life from within will start to spring forth onto others who are thirsty to hear the good news of the Gospel.
When the Holy Spirit comes in power, it is like dynamite that reshapes and changes things. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, wants to reshape and change you into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. God wants to put to death in you things that are not like Him—fear, anger, unforgiveness, addiction, etc. Say yes to Him today. Then abide in and obey the Word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit will remain in your life.
We are living in a perilous and dark moment in history and all around us evil speech is permeating the air. As the Body of Christ we must not get swept away in this bitter division. Our cry should be God gives us the Grace to be your Ambassadors of forgiveness and reconciliation. Just as Joseph’s father gave him a coat with many colors so did God the Father give His Son Jesus a Body of all colors. Love and unity among God’s people gives us a testimony that burns bright and brings Glory to Jesus.
You started out with such fervor and fire for the Kingdom of God and now you find yourself living on Had-Hoped Street. Had Hoped Street is easy to find, it intersects with Too Late Lane, Despair Drive and Bitterness Blvd. Just travel on Personal Excuse Expressway and get off wherever you like. To continue your journey study the bible, listen to its direction for your life and then go another way. Today Jesus will meet you where you are and offer you a way out. We begin our departure when Jesus opens our eyes to the fact that He was broken for us and He is inviting us to be broken for others. When we, even in our confusion make the choice to live for the benefit of others Jesus comes into full view again.
Why is church boring? The early church in the book of Acts was anything but boring. Pastor Michael Petillo challenges the church to seek Jesus daily—all of the church, not just the pastors and elders. When you commune with Christ everyday, He will begin to open up divine opportunities and stir up the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life. You'll come to church prepared, and it will be anything but boring. It will be full of God's presence and power!
What is this grand conspiracy forming in the world today? What is the source of this agitation? Satan has succeeded in sowing his character in humanity that says we can be our own judge and determine for ourselves what is good and what is evil. The only impediment to this misguided journey in this society is now on God and His people who stand in stark contrast showing the world there is a God, and there is something called sin. Sin separates us from God, not just in time but for eternity. There is only one King in this world and Jesus is the only King that can show mercy to a sinner and declare them forgiven and cleansed. If you are a casual Christian living in compromise the Holy Spirit will help you escape the boundaries of your own stubbornness and empower you to live in the boundaries of God's kingdom.
With all that is going on in the world today, it is tempting to complain and argue. Sadly, much of the church seems ignorant and lacking in knowledge. Most of us are thankful for our salvation and forgiveness of sins, but there is so much more to our faith. Pastor Nick Cassidy exhorts the church to ask God for a supernatural outpouring of His Spirit. There is a darkness in the world today that cannot be overcome by the natural mind and mere doctrine. It requires a people operating in the power of the Holy Spirit!
In between asking God for something and receiving what we asked for, there is a gap of time where we can become angry, confused, and hopeless waiting for God to answer our prayer. Because God is a loving Father, He will never give us a position or possession that our immaturity could sabotage. When you ask God for something, you won’t get the thing you asked for right away, instead you will get a journey to get you ready for the thing you’re asking for. Tim Dilena powerfully shares that while you’re waiting, ask God to grow you and trust that God’s timing is the best timing for you.