Monday's Message: Building Your Christian Engine

Building Your Christian Engine

Text:  II Corinthians 6:6-7

I don’t know too much about engines. In fact, I am the last person anyone would want working on their vehicle, but I have a little bit of an idea about their basic function. For example: if there is no transmission you are not leaving the driveway! In an engine there are several key parts that must function properly, and these parts must have the right fluids in them in order to even start, much less, run down the road. You know, just like an engine, there are parts that when assembled properly and lubricated and fueled will function together to perform a designated task in the life of every child of God.

Pureness - free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind

Pure doctrine, pure living, and pure thinking should be noted as vital.

-          Rather than attempting to do as much as we can to please ourselves and still resemble Christians; we should be striving to life in pureness.

-          God is showing us that if we are going to lead others in this Christian life, our dedication and Christianity must go to a higher level

Knowledge – A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnancy of our ideas.

-          We have all been guilty of operating on our “Christian opinions” far too much

-          Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to rely fully on God’s Word not our opinions

Longsuffering – Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not easily provoked.

-          This is a part of our “engine” that will require that “fresh oil” that comes only from the Spirit of God.

-          Keep the proper perspective when dealing with people; It is not all about you or me.

Kindness - The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

-          This is a Bible command.

-          This is also becoming more and more rare.

-          It requires us to trust God!

-          Often times we will feel as if others will look on us as weak, but if we’ll trust God, He will work for us and bless the efforts.

Holy Ghost – I find it odd that He is not first on this list.  It is as if we are examining an engine and we just made it to the core part of that engine!

-          We must be the conduits of Christ.

-          We must realize that we are nothing without Him!

Love unfeigned – In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. 

-          We DO NOT possess the ability to offer this kind of unconditional love to others without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us.

-          Here we find that the power and presence of the Holy Ghost is absolutely vital to the task God has set before us!

Word of Truth – The Scriptures

-          The answers we are called to give concerning faith must begin with: “The Bible says…”

-          It is God’s Word that is quick and powerful!

Power of God – Realize that this is the fuel in our engines. We will be worthless and become a “Large paper weight” without His fuel in our engines!

-          His ability is unlimited, yet because we try to cut corners and leave off parts of this list we know to be necessary we will eliminate His power.

Armour of Righteousness – realize that Satan will NOT sit by and witness this miraculous transformation in our lives, but will send a barrage of attacks and set as many traps as he possibly can to destroy us or at least limit us in this endeavor!

How well is your engine maintained?

II Corinthians 6:6-7

By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 

By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
 

Family Friday: Having Hope When All Seems Hopeless - Part 1

Terri Cannon

Pastor's Wife

Hope Baptist Church

Bettendorf, IA

Having Hope When All Seems Hopeless

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
Romans 15:4

I wasn’t always a middle-aged grandmother. Long ago, when dinosaurs walked the earth, I was a 13-year-old girl who thought all was lost. My mother suffered from serious mental illness. From the time I was eight until I was nineteen, she spent more time in mental hospitals than she did at home with us. I was the oldest of five children and it fell to me to care for them. Don't get me wrong, I love them all dearly, but children aren't the best choice for raising other children. As I entered puberty, I faced not only the usual fears and struggles of a 13-year-old girl, but I faced those things alone with more responsibilities than many grown women shoulder. I thought all hope was lost. I'd been in church since I was two. I had been saved when I was only five. I had surrendered my life to the will of God shortly after I turned eight. It was only my relationship with the Lord that carried me through. Since that time, I have experienced many trials during which I found myself clinging to the Lord.
I want to give you 6 things that will help you have hope, when all seems hopeless.
* It’s okay, and even a good thing to cry.
* Keep God real.
* Remember all the good things God has done.
* Be mindful of the good things in your life and don’t focus on the bad.
* Look for something everyday to remind you that God loves you.
* Look to the future.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
Psalm 42:11

First I want to tell you. It's okay to cry!

"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?"
Psalm 56:8-11
It's even a good thing to cry unto the Lord. He wants to comfort you. It's a good thing physically because a good cry washes stress out of your body.

"My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God."
Psalm 56:8-11

The Lord is with you even when everyone else has left. He wants us to throw ourselves into His loving care and pour out our grief. Because He cares for you so much that He knows how many hairs are on your head. 

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."
Matthew 10:30

Sometimes we get to thinking that tears are a sign of weakness. They are not. They are a sign of grief and the strongest among us suffer grief. Sometimes we just need someone to tell us we can break down and cry. I'm telling you it's okay. As a 13-year-old girl, I had a place in the back of my closet where I would curl up and imagine that God was holding me in His lap and I would cry while He held my heart.

So first, when all seems hopeless, go ahead and cry. You'll feel better. The Lord is waiting to hear from you.

The next and one of the most important things to maintain hope is to remember to Keep God Real!
This is one of the hardest ones, because when all seems hopeless, the devil wants us to think that God is a fairytale—He’s not really there. If you begin to doubt God, you will lose hope. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Hebrews 11:6

"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."
Psalm 73:28

Some ways to keep God real are:
* Walk with God, page after page, verse after verse, day after day.
* Read your Bible according to a plan. Read a Proverbs every day and complete the thought: “A wise woman will . . ."
* Keep a prayer list and check off answered prayer

A close, real relationship with a real God will give you hope regardless of the circumstances. Keep Him real!
When all seems hopeless, Remind yourself of all the good things God has done!
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s."
Psalm 103:2-6

His benefits are numberless! Every last one of us has so much to thank the Lord for. Even in the depths of trials, God has given us breath. That is a blessing! Do you have someone who loves you? A friend? A sister? A parent?

Did you eat today? Are you clothed? We have so much that we take for granted. God had done GREAT things for you! When all seems hopeless, take your mind off of the bad and think on Him.

"For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
Psalm 107:9
Along with reminding yourself all the good things God has done you must Be mindful of the good and don't focus on the bad! 

Next week, we will continue this thought.

Thoughtful Thursday: The Light of Christmas

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor,  that shall rule my people Israel.     Matthew 2:1-6

Although the wise men were following the light of a star, the Bible was their true guide, for it was an Old Testament prophecy that predicted where Christ would be born.  Micah 5:2 gives us this Old Testament prophecy: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”  Just as the Bible guided the wise men to Jesus so many years ago, the Bible will light our path today.  Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feed, and a light unto my path.”

The wise men recognized who Jesus Christ was, and they allowed His light to guide their paths.  Sadly, Herod’s heart was darkened to the Messiah, and he rejected Christ.  When the wise men sought the Savior they recognized Him as the King of kings and desired to bring Him honor and worship.

As you go about your day, remember Jesus Christ.  He is waiting to guide you into His pathway of light this Christmas.  Wise men still seek Him!

Used with permission from  "a daily WORD" by Paul Chappell.

Monday's Message: By the Holy Ghost

Today’s message will be on the fifth descriptor in 2 Corinthians 6:6

2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

This is an interesting way that we are to approve ourselves as the ministers of God, by the Holy Ghost. When we are born again by the incorruptible Word of God,

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

We are sealed with the Holy Ghost,

Ephesians 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

And He dwells within us,

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

John14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Giving us power to speak the Word of God,

Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

and Jesus Christ draws all men unto Himself through us.

John 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Jesus told the disciples that He needed to leave so that the Holy Ghost would come and abide in them and give them power to preach the Word of God.  This is true for us as believers today. The main purpose of a believer being filled with the Spirit is to speak the Word of God with power and to be used of God to win souls to the Lord. All believers have the indwelling of the Spirit, but all believers have not the fullness of the Spirit. How can we be filled with the Spirit in order to speak the Word of God with boldness?

Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

This is a great passage on how to be filled with the Spirit.  It lists at least five ways here and it goes on to give more if you continue reading, 1) don’t be drunk, 2) sing songs, 3) give thanks, 4) submit yourselves to one another, and 5) fear the Lord.

These are great places to start if you are seeking to be filled with the Spirit. In the Bible when someone is filled with the Spirit they are often given boldness to speak the Word of God. Notice it says be not drunk with wine…but be filled with the Spirit. Drunkards have a certain boldness to do wickedness and speak perverse things, whereas the Holy Ghost gives a believer boldness to preach righteousness and holiness.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Let us as God’s ministers strive to be filled with the Spirit consistently that we may speak the truth in love with boldness, not fearing man, but fearing the Lord. We are God’s instrument for delivering His Word to the world and He will use those saints that are filled with His Spirit to do the greatest works for His kingdom.