Contagious!

Take a look at 2 Corinthians 9:2 where Paul writes these words,

For I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority.

Did you notice those last eight words, and your zeal has stirred up the majority? Passion is contagious.

What do you think might happen if a community saw a church that was utterly on fire? Where all the members in that church were passionate about their worship, passionate about their relationship with God, passionate about serving one another, passionate about real deal Christianity where the rubber meets the road?

I believe there is a divine attraction to that!  And I believe that it would transform a community.

Sadly, most communities witness just the opposite—compromise, apathy, and boredom—not passion.

Now, rather than complain, I want to challenge you to live life with real passion. Go all out for God. It only takes one person to ignite the fire of passion in others.

I heard the story of a man who came to hear D. L. Moody preach. While sitting there the man next to him asked, “Do you come out here because you believe the things he’s preaching?”

His response was, “No. I come out because he believes it.”

Passion is contagious! Are people catching it from you? Is your zeal for Christ stirring up those who come in contact with you? If not, ask God to put that passion into your heart today and watch what happens!

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The Believer’s Journey to the Cross

The only way Christ can live His life through us is if we’ve allowed ourselves to be crucified.

John 12:23-27

We all know that Jesus walked the road to Calvary, but did you know that believers also journey to the cross? We’ve all been positionally crucified with Christ, but those who hunger for Him participate in a deeper experience of this reality. Jesus lovingly takes their hand and leads them to the cross. Even though this is the last place anyone wants to go, it’s the only way to partake of God’s best for our lives.

The trip to the cross is not one you take with family and friends. It’s a lonely journey with just you and Jesus. He strips away everyone and everything you’ve depended on so that you’ll learn to rely only on Him. While we’re at the cross, He uncovers layer after layer of self-deception until we begin to see ourselves as He does. Soon our self-centeredness, inadequacy, and failures are laid bare.

The cross is a place of brokenness, but it’s necessary because there’s no other way we’ll ever bear fruit. If we hang onto our lives and refuse to take this journey, we’ll be like a grain of wheat that is never planted and never grows. But those who willingly die to themselves will produce an abundance of spiritual fruit. The only way Christ can live His life through us is if we’ve allowed ourselves to be crucified.

God doesn’t want you to be content with just your salvation. There’s so much more He desires to give you and achieve through you. Are you willing to take the road to the cross with Him? Yes, it’s painful, but the rewards in this life and in eternity far outweigh any suffering you will experience.

What Would Jesus Do?

A quick reading of the New Testament will give you an easy answer to that question. The scene is Jesus with His disciples. The mother of James and John, identified in the text as “the mother of Zebedee’s sons,” addresses Jesus. She speaks boldly to Him: “Promise that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and the other on Your left, in Your kingdom” (Matt. 20:21).

Jesus quickly tells her that she has no idea what she’s talking about. Then the other ten disciples become indignant at James and John. It’s a fight ready to happen.

But Jesus calls a time-out. The text literally says, “He called them over” (Matt. 20:25).

Now read carefully Jesus’ response to all twelve disciples. It is powerful.

He began, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25–28).

Did you get that? Did you understand the full import of Jesus’ words?

May I put the essence of these words in a modern vernacular for church members today? I hope you won’t be too offended.

“Hey, church members: I know that the world says put yourself first. Look after number one. But that’s not the way you are supposed to do it. Stop complaining about the music style and what you want. Stop demanding church leaders to do things the way youwould like them to be. Stop trying to get yourway in church business meetings. Instead, put others first. Put your desires last. Become a servant instead of a whiner and complainer.”

Jesus then offers Himself as an example for serving. Instead of coming to Earth as a political king, Jesus came to serve. Indeed His service would go all the way to the cross. He became sin. He took on our sin. He was crucified on that bloody cross of His own volition. He served you and me by dying for us.

We church members must cease and desist becoming “I want” members and become “I will” members.

We must serve instead of demanding our way.

That’s what Jesus said. And that’s what Jesus would do.

Paul specialized in selflessness. I would love for him to come to one of our rancorous church meetings and have a few words. I don’t think he would be shy about addressing self-serving motives and actions.

Philippians is my favorite letter he wrote to a church. Note that some form of the word joyappears in the brief letter fourteen times. It is indeed the letter of joy.

And what was Paul doing to experience such joy? He was in prison. He was facing death. He was concerned about the churches. And, in the midst of it all, he was joyous.

The apostle explains the basis for his joy. Indeed in Philippians 2:5–11, he tells us that true joy comes from having an attitude like Jesus. And lest we doubt the meaning of Jesus’ attitude, Paul says that the attitude took Him to “becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).

It is with that context that Paul explains how we are to respond to one another in our churches: “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3–4).

Paul made it clear.

Jesus made it clear.

We are to serve. That is the basis for joy. And that is what church members should do.

Doula Faith

According to Our Faith

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness, To deliver their soul from death And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.”
Psalm 33: 18-22

When you survey the times in scripture where Jesus healed or performed miracles, there were those occasions when He said, “Let it be done according to your faith”
(Matthew 9:29, Matthew 8:13).
And when His disciples asked for Him to increase their faith, He replied,

“If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.” Luke 17:6

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him” Mark 11:23

Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to help someone who was hurting, only to discover they really didn’t trust you? Nothing is more disheartening. If you’ve experienced this you understand just a little of Christ’s frustration with unbelief.

God has given to every believer a measure of faith. This faith is enough to accomplish anything according to God’s will. So it is not that it requires great faith to remove the doubts and fears blocking our trust in God, but just the faith we already possess. And the faith that moves the obstacles blocking our view of God’s loving kindness are removed the moment we acknowledge our trust in the TRUTH- God’s loving kindness is there for us, yesterday, today and tomorrow. (Psalm 63:3)

What really caused Adam and Eve to fall away from the divine fellowship? It was their doubt of His loving kindness and faithfulness. Even though He made all provision for them in everything, they began to doubt and believe He was withholding something good from them. ( Genesis 3)

But if God did not withhold even His Only Son from us , but willingly and lovingly gave Him up for our salvation, how can we come to believe He will withhold anything good from those who come to know Him, love Him and have his Holy Spirit? (Romans 8:32)

Many years ago when I was in a very serious trial, I began believing God had abandoned me and was convinced I could not be forgiven. But when I began to focus on the Truth – “His loving kindness endures forever” (Psalm 136:1), I began confessing once again His faithfulness and was delivered.

Did it take great faith to believe in His unconditional love? No. It only took the faith I already possessed in remembering His faithfulness in the past which convinced me of His steadfast love.

It was when I began confessing with my mouth His steadfast love, I saw the obstacle move out of the way. Immediately after uttering those few words of hope, according to my mustard seed of faith, I began to sense His strength as He poured love and hope back into my life.

“ I’ll just have to wait on the Lord” ( Isaiah 40: 30-31) is all that I said, and immediately the mountain of doubt blocking the view of my Savior was cast away!

In Psalm 33, notice that God acts according to the amount of trust and faith we have in His loving kindness. Do you believe God is a loving, merciful God?

What else could He do to demonstrate His great love, than to send His Son, Jesus Christ for the payment of our sins? What more could He do to prove His great love for us? Even before we repented, He had already made provision for our salvation. (Romans 5:8)

If you have accepted God’s great salvation by repenting of your sins and you have given your life to Jesus Christ, receiving His Holy Spirit, then know, there is no good thing which God will withhold from you. But He acts according to the measure of faith you have in His abiding, unconditional love. Your salvation is sealed and all He asks you to do is to acknowledge it. If He has convicted you of a sin, through His Word and Holy Spirit, then repent and receive His peace and assurance that all is well ( 1 John 1:9,Ephesians 1:13).

What lie prevents you from receiving the TRUTH? Confess His steadfast love and watch the doubts start crumbling away. (-:

Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.” Psalm 33:22

Have Courage to Stand and Fight

Good Afternoon Sisters and Brothers,

I hope and pray that all is going extremely well with you and your family. Include your day with God by having courage to stand and fight in the spirit and not back down. Listen to the Holy Spirit and allow the presence of Jesus Christ to resonate all over you as you STAND WITH BOLDNESS FOR CHRIST. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 ESV) SO be encouraged this morning and be BOLD AS A LOIN and fight in the spirit.

Challenge of the day: Courage in Christ will lead you beyond your breaking point. STAND AND FIGHT IN THE ENTIRE ARMOUR OF GOD.
“But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” (2 Chr 15:7 ESV)

TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND MANY BLESSINGS, Travis Casteel

Living in Peace

To some the word ‘Peace’ is not much much such a lovely word.  To others that have had to deal with horrible, fearful or unbearable distress, Peace is so much more than merely a pleasant thought.  When a person goes through something terrible in their life, they learn to appreciate things a whole lot more.  Sometimes God allows his children to go through trials and tribulations to make them the person he wants them to become.  Lets say a person full of pride might benefit from a little humility.  God might allow something to happen to bring us to our knees.   You might not like the thought of having to go through trials but the Bible say, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28).

Recently I heard a sermon about how Paul had to endure something in his life that he considered a thorn.  Three times he asked for that thorn to be removed, Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   So Paul learned that sometimes it was a good thing to endure things in your life because it is then that the Lord works mightily through you.  Why?  Because he has strengthened you and by your tribulations.  Paul later said, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

When we abide in Christ and follow what he teaches us through his word, than the peace of God abides with us.  It is when we stray from God and follow after other things that we separated from the peace of God.  Abide in Christ and allow him to lead you in your Christian walk and pray to him continually for guidance and strength.  Learn to depend on the Lord for your strength and when you go through a struggle in life, allow God to mold you into his image.

Related Scriptures:

Philippians 4:7,9-And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Resurrection of Jesus

I know that Jesus lives.

The greatest event in history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The New Testament of the Holy Bible in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:1-20, gives us evidence by witnesses of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. All the four Gospels and book of Acts gives other witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here is a list of some. Three women go to the tomb and find the stone rolled away. Mary Magdalene hurries to tell the disciples. Mary, James’s mother, sees the angels. Peter and John arrive and look in the tomb and it is empty. Mary Magdalene returns and sees angels and then Jesus. Mary, James mother, returns with others and these women see the angels and leaving, they also see Jesus. Jesus reveals himself to Peter the same day.

The Gospel of the Risen Christ is the power of almighty God, unto salvation to all who believe. We put our faith in the living Lord Jesus. He is not dead but risen to the glory of almighty God.

The devil’s power of death could not hold the Son of God in the grave.

“How do I know that Christ is risen: What proof have I to give? He touched my life one blessed day and I began to live.

How to do I know He left the tomb, that Easter long ago? I met Him just this morning and my life is all aglow.

How do I know that endless life He gained that day for me? His life within is proof enough of immortality.

How do I know that Christ still lives, rich blessings to impart? I know its true because He lives and reigns within my heart.

Have you invited the resurrected life Christ into your life?

John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man can come unto the Father but by Me.”

Repeat this prayer if you have not invited the resurrected life Christ into your life:

“Father God, I surrender myself to your will today. I ask forgiveness for any sin I have committed and plead the Blood of Jesus Christ over my sin. Father, I ask that you will fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding today. Please quicken my mind to Your Word today as I read it, and reveal the truth that will set me free. I pray that You will empower me to bear fruit in every good work I do, grow in the knowledge of You and be strengthened with all power according to Your glorious might. Father, I pray for great endurance and patience in walking with You. I joyfully give thanks to You for qualifying me through Jesus to share in the inheritance of Your kingdom. I could never have earned it, and you gave it to me as a gift through Jesus. Thank You so very much! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.”

Congratulations on the first step for the rest of your life in Christ.

Let it Go, Forgive.

I’ve been hurt and pained many times.  Removing all mercy and grace, being so hard and numb as a rock and holding on to my grudge was the easiest way to cover up the pain I was feeling, I THOUGHT. A stain of hatred was in my heart. Peace was absent. I grieved and prayed for God to remove the pain I was feeling. Asked a lot of times why things weren’t getting better, not realizing I was doing something wrong.

Did I really want to make things bitter or better?

Anger—one of the worst feelings in the world.

A single feeling that leads to negative thoughts against a person that can possibly cause another offense to another person. The trouble goes on

. On Jerry Bridges’ book of Holiness Day by Day, he mentioned, “In facing up to our anger, we need to realize that no one else causes us to be angry. Someone else’s words or actions may become the occasion of our anger, but the cause lies deep within us—usually our pride, selfishness or desire to control.” It made me reevaluate my emotions and thoughts about anger and disappointments and I find it true. It is because of failed expectations and hope. The person wasn’t able to perform according to what I have expected of him/her. We have to realize things don’t always happen how we want them to happen. Things change and most of the time, unpredictable. As well as persons and sometimes, they fail.

A Buddhist saying says “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Placing all the blame to somebody and lingering to the feeling of anger can NEVER bring us peace. It is against the will of God that we hold on to it and deny forgiveness from our brothers and sisters. As the scriptures say:

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Luke 6:37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others and you will be forgiven.”

And in Matthew 5:23-24 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to thatperson. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

When we come to God, He wants a heart that doesn’t hold any anger, grudge, and any other darkness. It doesn’t glorify Him. God has first showed amazing love and forgiveness when He sent his only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins (John 3:16). We have done so much sins and pain against Him more than anyone could have hurt us. If He has shown forgiveness, grace and mercy despite everything, who are we to refuse forgiveness?

Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Matthew 6:14-15 If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

It’s not easy. Our common justification to avoid forgiving is “I’m not God, I’m just a human.” Yes, we are limited. We can’t do it alone, but GOD CAN. We need to come to God and cast the heaviness of our hearts on Him. If we believe nothing is impossible with God, we should trust that He can work and change our hearts. Surrender your pride and let Him work in you.

There might be persons in our lives who seems to be so tough to deal with because they have been doing the same mistakes over and over again but NEVER STOP FORGIVING.

Matthew 18: 21-22 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”

Pray for that person and lift him/her up to God, rather than enumerating negative things about a person. God can do anything and everything. Treat people with love even though they are hard to love. Never get tired showing grace and mercy. Let’s be consistent and intentional in following the examples of Jesus.

And do not sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.—Ephesians 4:26

The time to let go and forgive is NOW.

Lord, Thank You for healing my broken heart and giving me peace. I am so Blessed today with your unconditional Love. I am able to go on with my life and live a happy joyful life because of You Lord. I have given it all to You. It’s in Your hands.  I Love You Lord for turning my heart around to a loving and caring heart to be able to show others your Love. In Jesus Name We Pray Amen

Your Favor

Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O LORD, help and comfort me. (NLT) -Psalm 86:17
We all need signs from God every now and then to get through life. It’s not just a sign for ourselves, but for other people to recognize. This, in turn, speaks to those who may not have a relationship with Him. When you turn to God for comfort in desperate times it strengthens your relationship with God. Remember, He cares.
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