Wednesday night (10-19-11) notes from Galatians 4

I continue the teaching through Galatians on Wednesday nights. Here are the notes from last night "Paul, the Pastor" from Galatians 4:12-20.

My Lord, I did not choose You

This past Sunday, as we finished Romans 9, Bro. Adam Casey led our church in this great hymn. Read through the words:

1. My Lord, I did not choose You,

For that could never be;
My heart would still refuse You,
Had You not chosen me.
You took the sin that stained me,
You cleansed me, made me new;
Of old You have ordained me,
That I should live in You.

2. Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my op'ning mind,
The world would have enthralled me,
To heav'nly glories blind.
My heart knows none above You;
For Your rich grace I thirst.
I know that if I love You,
You must have loved me first.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, October 16, 2011

Here are the sermon notes from yesterday, October 16, 2011 "God is Glorified" from Romans 9:23-33. Click here.

Wednesday night (10-12-11) notes from Galatians 4

I continue the teaching through Galatians on Wednesday nights. Here are the notes from last night "Sons of God" from Galatians 4:1-11.

Some quotes of interest:

‎"I've always believed that the local church is the hope of the world." Bill Hybels. Organizational, I believe that, too. So, pastors be encouraged today. God has placed you over the greatest organization in the world.

Mormans are not Christians

The question of Mormons have been raised in the last few days concerning two Republican candidates who are clearly of the Mormon faith. The question is concerning whether Mormons are Christians. The answer is NO - NO - NO.

Now whether you vote for one of these is your own business, but you need to know that what was said by Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX is right - Mormons are a cult. I'm not here endorsing Governor Perry (as the Dr. Jeffress was), all I am saying is that Jeffress was right in his stance.

Dr. Albert Mohler, President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote a very good article today and you may read it be clicking here. I would encourage you to read it all.

For more about Mormons, click here and scroll down the page.

Youcef Nadarkhani's Letter to His Church by Trevin Wax

by Trevin Wax

A letter from Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani who currently faces the death sentence for apostasy. Please continue to pray.

(This message has been translated from Farsi to English.)

Dear brothers and sisters, Salam

In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am continuously seeking grace and mercy to you, that you remember me and those who are bearing efforts for his name in your prayers. Your loyalty to God is the cause of my strength and encouragement.

For I know well that you will be rewarded; as it’s stated: blessed is the one who has faith, for what has been said to him by God, will be carried out. As we believe, heaven and earth will fade but his word will still remain.

Dear beloved ones, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few verses, although you might know them, So that in everything, you give more effort than the past, both to prove your election, and for the sake of Gospel that is to be preached to the entire world as well.

I know that not all of us are granted to keep this word, but to those who are granted this power and this revelation, I announce the same as Jude, earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

We are passing by special and sensitive days.They are days that for an alert and awake believer can be days of spiritual growth and progress. Because for him, more than any other time there is the possibility to compare his faith with the word of God, have God’s promises in mind, and survey his faith.

Therefore he (the true believer) does not need to wonder for the fiery trial that has been set on for him as though it were something unusual, but it pleases him to participate in Christ’s suffering. Because the believer knows he will rejoice in his glory.

Dears, the “ judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Therefore those who are enduring burdens by the will of God, commit their souls to the faithful Creator. Promises that he has given us, are unique and precious. As we’ve heard he has said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you”

How can it be possible for a believer to understand these words?

Not only when he is focusing on Jesus Christ with adapting his life according to the life Jesus lived when he was on earth? As it is said ” O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”

Have we not read and heard: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests, and they have to face those same tests in a more difficult manner, because no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests, and gain victory.

Therefore in the place of Christ’s followers, we must not feel desperate, but we have to pray to God in supplication with more passion to help us with any assistance we may need.

According to what Paul has said: In every temptation, God himself will make a way for us to tolerate it.

O beloved ones, difficulties do not weaken mankind, but they reveal the true human nature.

It will be good for us to occasionally face persecutions and abnormalities, since these abnormalities will persuade us to search our hearts, and to survey ourselves. So as a result, we conclude that troubles are difficult, but usually good and useful to build us.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must be more careful than any other time. Because in these days, the hearts and thoughts of many are revealed, so that the faith is tested. May your treasure be where there is no moth and rust.

I would like to remind you of some verses that we nearly discuss everyday, (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.) but as long as our human will has priority over God’s will, his will will not be done.

As we have learned from him in Gethsemane, he surrendered his will to the father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation, because neither he has tested us more than our faith and our endurance, nor does he do as such. And as we have known from before, we must beware not to fail, but to advance in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, And consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to his name. He said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

As a small servant, necessarily in prison to carry out what I must do, I say with faith in the word of God that he will come soon.”However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Discipline yourself with faith in the word of God. Retain your souls with patience. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly.

May you are granted grace and blessings increasingly in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.

Yusef Nadarkhani
Lakan Prison in Rasht
2/June/2010

(HT)

The Cumulative Effect

by Dave Kraft

Over the years I’ve attended many weekend conferences and one-day seminars. I consider myself blessed if I come away with a single idea that significantly impacts me and seems to be the kind of idea that can also be of help and encouragement to lots of other people.

A number of years ago I attended a conference on the east coast. I don’t remember the city, the nature of the conference, or any of the speakers’ names. I am sure I received lots of good information, but can’t remember any of it, except for one idea.

The cumulative effect of small things over an extended period of time…

I can’t give credit where credit is due, as I don’t remember who said it. I even Googled it, but that didn’t reveal the source.

This is one of those life principles that is true in any context, for any person, at any time. It works in all areas of life.

1. Financial - If a person saved just a little bit each month, but did so for a long period of time, having sufficient funds for retirement would not be the issue it is for many people. On the other hand, those who spend just a little more than they make and do it for a long time are amazed at how fast the debt accumulates.

2. Exercise - It is better to exercise 3 times a week for 30 minutes over a long period of time, than to leap into action with a guilty conscience every once in a while.

3. Reading - Most people are hard pressed to find large amounts of time to read, but sincerely want to read. If you are one of those people, try reading consistently for 10-15 minutes every day over a long period of time and you will experience the joy of reading 20-25 books a year. This has been totally doable for me for 25 years.

4. Relationships - It is better to invest consistent but shorter times with those you love week after week after week than a larger block of time once or twice a year.

5. Eating - Eat a little less than you normally do and, if you are consistent over an extended period of time, you will lose weight. Eat just a bit more than your body really needs and do it consistently and you will gain weigh; it sort of sneaks up on you.

6. Intimacy with Jesus- It works as you deepen your intimate walk with Jesus as well. Spending time alone in his presence. Praying, scripture, confessing and repenting works better if you are consistent as opposed to once in a while. He wants to hear from you daily not when you think you can get around to it

The bottom line is that many of us can’t seem to stay consistent with anything over the long haul, which is why our finances, exercise, reading, relationships and weight take a hit. Charles Swindoll said, “The problem with life is that it is so daily;” Funny but true. We live life daily--not monthly, quarterly or yearly.

Look at the six areas listed above (and maybe add some of your own) and determine what you can do empowered by Him and to honor Him as you experience the cumulative effect of small things over an extended period of time. Try it and you may like it, “Sam I am!”



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