Pastor Jeff's Blog - Entries from September 2011
FriFridaySepSeptember9th2011
How's Your Walk?
"But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16
We live in a world where we really don't walk to get to where we are heading. Most of us take cars, buses, motorcyles, trains or even bicycles. In the first century, however, they walked. Whether someone was going to the market or traveling to another region of the country the method of transportation was walking. Therefore when "walking" is discussed in Galatians Paul is referring to the journey of one's life.
So when Paul encourages the Galatians to walk by the Spirit he was letting them know that in their journey they needed to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than their selfish desires. Paul argues that as a believer one can either journey with the Holy Spirit or journey with one's selfish desires but not both. They are two different roads. When a believer is living for themselves then they cannot journey in obedience to the Spirit's leading. On the other hand, when a believer is obedient to the directives of the Spirit then one cannot engage in sin.
Most Christians I know are plagued by falling into one of two categories. Either (A): they struggle with the fact that as a believer in Christ they still repetitively commit the same sins over and over with no hope of ever changing or (B) they consider sin such a natural part of their life that they just don't worry about it. Both options leave the believer missing out on experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
While it is true we cannot get rid of our sin nature until we meet the Lord, we no longer have to sin. God hates sin and gave us the Holy Spirit to indwell us and guide us so that we could live in the way that is pleasing to the Lord. Therefore it is important for us to seek God in His Word, prayer, worship and fellowship with other believers. These disciplines help us to align with Holy Spirit's work in our lives and provides us with strength during times of temptation and difficulty.
So how is you walk? Are you on a journey with the Lord that is empowered by the Spirit? If not, you can begin right now. Go before the Lord and tell him of your desire to follow Him. If He convicts you of sin confess it and receive his promise of forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Then make a point to seek the Lord daily as He leads your life.
ThuThursdaySepSeptember8th2011
Kickoff
Have you ever experienced the excitement of the first kickoff of a football season in person? The palpable excitement in a stadium prior to some guy kicking a leather ball down the field is contagious. Even if people are not big fans it is difficult not to be engaged as people scream, keys are shaken, and music is being played.
You see, the kickoff represents the start of the season. It is when hopes run high that anything can happen and that all the preparation is about to pay off. It is a chance to see if what has been practiced is actually performed. The anticipation and hope of what that season will hold is what makes that one kick so special.
This Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Harvest Bible Chapel we will experience a "Kickoff" of our own. Our theme for the year is "Intensely Missional" and will "Kickoff" in Acts 1 this weekend. Come experience high-impact worship and preaching from God's Word that will motivate you to serve our risen Savior. I also want to invite those who are in 6th-8th grade and those in 9th-12th grade to attend Summit Student Ministries that begins at 6:00 PM that evening at Campus Middle School.
My anticipation, hope and faith in Jesus Christ is at an all-time high for what I expect Him to do through our church throughout this Ministry Year.
Come and experience our "Kickoff" and then plan on spending the season with us as we experience together the work of God in amazing ways.
Because this season is all based upon How the Lord performs, I can promise you that this season in our church will be victorious!
|
|