Church guide

Food For Thought - O Wretched Man! "O wretched man that I am. Who will deliver me from this body of death"! This was the apostle Paul's exclamation in Romans 7:24. Paul was teaching about wanting to do what is good and right yet not doing it and knowing what is wrong but doing it anyway. How many times have you found yourself in the very same predicament? We, who are born again believers in Christ, are new creations through Christ. We have a new nature in us, God's nature. Well, if we have God's nature in us, why do we sometimes desire to do what is wrong or not do what we know is right? The answer is because that new nature that we have dwells inside a body that is fleshly and carnal. Prior to accepting Jesus as Lord, we had a sin nature (thanks to Adam), which lived quite compatibly inside our carnal fleshly bodies. There was no conflict there because we were free from the obligation to do what is right. But when we were born again in Christ, we were instantly given a new nature - God's nature, or the awareness of what is good and right. But unfortunately, the house it dwells in, having been dominated by that old sinful nature for so long, is still the same. It is now in need of training! But we know that any training period involves pain and even setbacks. And through this training period (which, by the way, will last until Jesus returns), our carnal flesh will continually war against our new Godly nature. It can be extremely difficult and frustrating. But, as Paul continues to teach on the frustrations he is dealing with, he answers his own question - Jesus will deliver him! And even better, in the beginning of the next chapter he tells us that those who are in Christ do not have to face condemnation! Allow Jesus to see you through this training process. Allow the Holy Spirit to help. And the next time you feel you are being pulled in opposite directions, you know that there is therefore now no condemnation! 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. Romans 6:20 (NLT) 20 As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. Romans 6:20 (MSG) 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:24-25 (NLT) 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT)

Food For Thought - Which Robber Are You? Scripture tells us that Jesus was crucified along with two criminals. And we know that one of these men ultimately realized that Jesus truly was the son of God by addressing Him as Lord and asking Jesus to remember him when He entered His kingdom, while the other man mocked him along with the soldiers. But scripture also tells us in Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32 that, at some point, both of these men mocked Jesus. So why did one of these criminals come to the truth of who Jesus was and the other did not? We must remember that this entire crucifixion took several hours. And these men were exposed to the ridicule and humiliation that Jesus endured. And they both were witness to Jesus' supernatural response of love and forgiveness toward His tormentors. At some point in our lives in our fallen states, each of us comes to a place where we are introduced to the love and forgiveness that Jesus has to offer. And we then have a decision to make. We except Jesus or we reject him. The penitent criminal did at first mock Jesus - until he witnessed the overwhelming love Jesus had even toward those who crucified Him and His willingness to ask the Father to forgive them. He then acknowledged his guilt, acknowledged who Jesus was and asked for His mercy. Much in the same way we all did when we first accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The other criminal, being exposed to the very same Jesus, remained hard hearted and defiant. Each chose a different path for themselves. Maybe you are at that point of decision in your life. Jesus' love and forgiveness are offered whole heartedly to you no matter what is in your past. How will you respond? Matthew 27:44 (NKJV) 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing. Mark 15:32 (NKJV) 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. Luke 23:40-42 (NKJV) 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Food For Thought This Sunday we celebrate what is certainly the most significant event in Christian history - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ! Jesus' victory over death was our victory! But Jesus paid a horrific price for that victory. During the hours leading up to and including His crucifixion, Jesus experienced mind numbing torture, ridicule and abandonment. And according to His prayers to the Father in the garden, He was agonizingly aware of what was approaching for Him, asking God if there was any other way to accomplish His plan. Yet, Jesus' ultimate desire was God's will to be done no matter what it meant for Him. And indeed, He fulfilled that plan. He was our substitute. He bore our sins and our sicknesses with every lash and every nail. There is no greater love than this. God's love extends to His followers and His ridiculers alike because God so loved the "world". Even the thief on the cross was embraced by the love of Christ. Our prayer for you this Easter is that you realize and experience the boundless, life-changing, unconditional love of Christ! 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42 (NLT) 3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:3-5 (NLT) 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 (NLT) 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 (NLT) 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Food for Thought - Entering His Presence Pastor recently preached a sermon where he spoke about how Moses and the Israelites had to prepare themselves to come into the presence of God. They consecrated themselves for two whole days! Today, we don't really give much thought about getting ready for church except maybe what we are going to wear. Consecration, or setting ourselves apart, has more to do with the heart than the outward man. After consecrating themselves for two days, God showed up in an awesome way. I wonder how many church-goers even expect God to show up in a service. They look forward to seeing friends and family, but do they look forward to being with God? Do we come into our services with hearts that are ready and looking forward to an encounter with the Almighty? Most of us are just thankful we got the family there at all, and if we are on time before the first song begins, well, that's an added bonus. This Sunday, especially since we are nearing the celebration of the Christian's most important day, the Resurrection Day, set aside time to prepare your hearts. Think of all that you can be thankful for by what Jesus accomplished on the cross for you and let that be at the forefront of your heart. Know that God wants to meet with His people. Enter into His presence with a heart ready to worship the King of Kings! 10 Then the LORD told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. 11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch. Exodus 19:10-11 (NLT) 16 On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. 17 Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. Exodus 19:16-18 (NLT)

Food For Thought - Is Holiness Lost? The story of Uzzah in the Bible is one that many people often think unfair. King David was bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem and it was being carried on a cart pulled by oxen. One of the oxen stumbled and Uzzah put his hand on the ark to stabilize it and upon doing so was struck dead. Without knowing any of the back story, this would seem severe and unfair. But David should have known that the ark was to be carried on the shoulders of the priests (the Levites), specifically the sons of Kohath (Kohath was one of the sons of Levi). It should never have been placed on an oxen cart and it definitely shouldn't have been touched. The ark has spent the previous 20 years in the home of Abinadab, Uzzah's father. Could it be that Uzzah had become casual about its presence? Had he gotten so used to it that he no longer held it in the esteem it deserved? The ark represented God's presence. "By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified." If we come near to God, we must always remember He is holy! There is a loose and casual attitude today among Christians regarding God. The holiness factor of God is being lost in many of our services and churches - God is our buddy, our pal. An attitude like this pulls God down to human level. We must be careful to treat the presence of God with the reverence and respect He deserves. He may be a friend and a daddy to us, but above all He is Holy! 9 And when they came to Chidon's threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God. 1 Chronicles 13:9-10 (NKJV) 15 And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry. Numbers 4:15 (NKJV) 3 And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' " So Aaron held his peace. Leviticus 10:3 (NKJV)

Food For Thought - "Greasy Grace" Continued.... Some in the church today would have you believe that God's grace means that He overlooks sin in our lives. We can live our life any way we want because that's what His grace is for. So this week let's take a look at a couple of Biblical instances that would show us that, although His love for us never ceases, God doesn't accept sin. Judgment may not be immediate, but it will come. First let's look at Cain. Both Cain and Abel presented sacrifices to the Lord. God accepted Abel's but God did not accept Cain's. Why? There has been much debate and speculation about why. Some say it was because Cain's was not a blood sacrifice. It may very well be as simple as the attitude in which it was presented. Was it the best they could offer? Whatever the reason, Cain's was unacceptable to God. But God gave him a way out, which Cain refused. And his punishment was severe. Then there is Moses. God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt. God gave the 10 commandments to Moses. God spoke to Moses in the burning bush. The Bible says that God knew him face to face and God Himself buried Moses. Yet, as a punishment for disobeying God just one time, he was forbidden to enter the promised land. Seems pretty severe for one wrong. In fact, no one from that generation was allowed to enter the promised land as punishment for their disobedience to God. If Moses couldn't get away with just one sin, what makes us think we can? Don't fall for the "greasy grace" theory, that God accepts whatever you do. As we said last week, the wages of sin is death - always. God is looking for a repentant heart - one who is willing to acknowledge sin and turn from it. Cain wouldn't do it. Will you? Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Exodus 33:11 (NLT) The LORD buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. Deuteronomy 34:6 (NLT) But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” Numbers 20:12 (NLT) 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. Genesis 4:3-5 (NLT) You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:7 (NLT) 10 But the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood. 12 No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.” Genesis 4:10-12 (NLT)

Food for Thought - Does Love Mean Acceptance? Love and acceptance – Sounds very Biblical, doesn’t it? In fact, this is a teaching that is rapidly gaining momentum in Christian circles today. Pulpits are proclaiming it loudly because who doesn’t want to hear that God accepts them just the way they are, sin and all? And it also fits nicely into mainstream thinking today, if it feels good, do it. But is this what Jesus really taught? Is it true that God accepts whatever you do because He loves you? Is this what unconditional love is? For certain, God does accept us just as we are when we first come to Him. God would never turn away anyone who turns to Him with a pure heart no matter what state they are in. But the question is, does He expect us to stay there? After all, the Bible says “for whom the Lord loves, He accepts,” right? No! The Word says “for whom the Lord loves, He chastens.” As a parent, do you accept everything your children do? Do you overlook their disobedience, rebellion and outright defiance to your word just because you love them? A good parent always corrects their children when they do wrong or are heading down the wrong path. Does this mean they don’t love their kids? Certainly not! In fact, it would show a complete lack of love and concern if a parent overlooked their child's bad behavior. God has warned us in His Word where a life of disobedience or sin leads. The wages (your take-home pay) of sin is death. And that is the devil’s ultimate goal for us. The devil wants you to embrace the teaching that God accepts your sin because he knows it will ultimately lead to death. Stay tuned! More on this next week! for whom the Lord doth love He doth chasten, and He scourgeth every son whom He receiveth; Hebrews 12:6 (YLT) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 (TLB)

Food For Thought - Remember, You Reap What You Sow! I was recently on a tour with 20 other people. And we had a guide who was absolutely wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about the area we were visiting and, with our jam-packed schedule, he did his best to allow us to get in as many sights as we could every day. Keeping on schedule, of course, required the cooperation of the group, which meant following the rules and time frames set by the guide. Everyone in the group was very cooperative - except for a few. And the surprising thing to me was that the "few", who always seemed to push the limits, were ministers! They were ordained ministers who seemed to want to take as much time as they wanted and several times ignored the limits set by the guide. This, of course, then took away from the amount of time we had for the next stop on the itinerary. Submission sometimes is a tough pill to swallow, especially for those who are many times the ones in authority. But it is those in authority who ought to be the example setters. The "do as I say, not as I do" example is shameful. Anyone, who is usually in a position of leadership, when they are not acting in that leadership position, should be the first to submit to rules set before them. Jesus was always submitted to the Father. He only did what His Father told Him to do. These ministers would be wise to remember - you reap what you sow! Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, Titus 3:1 (NIV) “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42 (NLT) But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10 (NLT)

Food For Thought - I just returned from a trip to Israel, the Holy Land, where Jesus spent his days on this earth. I was able to visit and experience a few of the areas and places where He spent three years ministering to the people there. Although much has certainly changed since the Bible days of Jesus' ministry, getting a sense of the terrain and landscape and locations and distances of the towns and areas mentioned in the Bible has given me a new perspective of what it must have been like, especially considering the main mode of transportation was on foot. There was plenty of green lushness, but also plenty of dry mountain terrain. Traveling couldn't have been easy and Paul and others went outside the land of Israel, again on foot, to spread the Gospel of Jesus to other lands. It's much different from evangelists today booking a flight and are at their next church in a few hours. I am thankful for that early church, who experienced Jesus personally, and knew the world needed to know Him too. I am also thankful for those through history and today who take up the call, whether it be in a foreign land or in their own neighborhoods. 15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Mark 16:15 (NLT) 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NLT) 3 Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Psalm 96:3 (NLT)

Food For Thought - The Way Up is Down! In the Bible, when Jesus was asked by His disciples who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus answered by calling a small child to Himself. He told them that unless they turn (turn about or turn back again) and become like little children, they would never get to heaven. He went on to say if they become humble as the child, they would be great in heaven. I have worked with children for years teaching Sunday School. The younger they are, the easier they are to teach. And that is because when they are young, before life has had opportunity to display just how unfair, cruel, and deceptive it can be, they possess pure honesty and a willingness to trust without hesitation. Children are humble and unpretentious, harboring no ulterior motives to their words or deeds, although that doesn't take long to learn. It is this life devoid of pride and self-centeredness that promotes. So if the disciples needed to turn about (toward humbleness), they must have been on the path of pride. If we demote ourselves through humility, God can then promote us. So it would seem the way to promotion is through demotion. 1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:1-3 (NLT) 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15 (NLT)

Food For Thought - Should I Care What You Think I recently saw a sign that read "To be offended by you I'd first have to care what you think." I first chuckled when I read it, but then after giving it more thought, I realized the truth of the statement. Sometimes, we just put too much importance on people's opinions. Oh there is a core group of people in our lives whose opinions should matter to us. It would often do us well to seek out those opinions to possibly add clarity to any given situation or shed additional insight that we've missed. But it's most often the unsolicited opinion that we can relate to this sign. If you find yourself offended, consider the source and whether it's worth your time and aggravation. Now when it comes to the Word of God, if we find ourselves offended or getting agitated, then perhaps we need to figure out why. The Word has a tendency to shed light on darkness which can be a source of agitation if that darkness is found in us. But if all is well in your life according to the standard of the Word, then, as far as the rest of the world goes, you decide whose opinion matters to you. 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV) 7 Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips. Proverbs 14:7 (NLT) 4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Proverbs 26:4 (NLT) 20 Take good counsel and accept correction— that's the way to live wisely and well. Proverbs 19:20 (MSG)

Food For Thought - Those Who Have Ears To Hear! What is the rock upon which Christ says He will build His church in Matthew 16:18? Many people believe that Jesus was saying He will build His church upon Peter, a mere man. But would Jesus really build the church upon a man? It is important to go to the original text in order to translate accurately. So, in referring to the original Greek, when Jesus said in verse 18 speaking to Peter "thou art Peter", the original Greek word for Peter here is petros which means a piece of the rock or a small stone. Then Jesus goes on to say "upon this rock I will build my church". The Greek word for rock here is a different one - petra - meaning a mass of rock or a foundation boulder. This is the same word used when Jesus taught about the rock (petra) upon which the wise man built his house. When Peter answered Jesus' question of "who do you say I am?", Peter gave an answer that was not taught to him by mere man, but revealed to Him by God Himself. It would be upon this example of revelation, or God revealing His Word to His people, that Jesus would build the church. Up until now, revelation wasn't needed because Jesus was with them. But Jesus, the Word made flesh, would soon be gone. And His disciples would need revelation (God's Word revealed to them) to fulfill their great commission. Peter, John, Paul, Philip, Timothy all went on to receive revelation from God. And that didn't stop with the disciples and apostles of the early church. God still speaks today to those who have ears to hear! 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:13-18 (NKJV) 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 (NKJV) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NKJV)

Food For Thought - There is Not Always Tomorrow Pastor began our service last week by asking several people what they were thankful for. Every answer was either family or an individual member of their family. My family recently lost my brother very unexpectedly. Times like these really get a person thinking about how important and precious family relationships are. It makes you think about things that perhaps you would have done differently – things you should have done or said more often. We don’t give much thought about how quickly life can be altered. So, in keeping with setting goals for the new year, let's determine to never assume that there will always be tomorrow. Determine to never assume they “know” you love them. Determine to express appreciation and love and not just "feel" it. Let’s give no opportunity for regrets especially when it comes to family. 29 Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air; common sense tells you it's a stupid way to live. Proverbs 11:29 (MSG) 8 But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NLT) 4 Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, 5 Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, 6 Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, 7 Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (MSG)

Food For Thought - Be Encouraged! We all go through times of discouragement and confusion. Things don't seem to be going the way we'd hoped or envisioned. Or everything seems to be going against us instead of for us. It doesn't always mean we've sinned or done anything wrong when we experience adversity. Just look at the life of Joseph to see that. But what can be dangerous is to allow ourselves to remain in this place. If we don't have people in our life to encourage us, then we must encourage ourselves. When you know you are on the course that God has set for you, the enemy will do all he can to prevent you from reaching your destination. He will put stumbling blocks and even road blocks in your path to discourage and disable you. And nothing is more encouraging and empowering than the Word! Food for Thought gives you some very powerful verses to help you press on through those rough times. Remember, you can do all things through Christ! 6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) 17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:17-18 (NLT) 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT) 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:7-9 (NLT) 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Food For Thought - Power in Your Tongue! The scripture says that people can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and fish, but no man can tame the tongue. I would bet that every one of us have experienced that "me and my big mouth" feeling. You regret saying something even before you finish saying it, yet out it comes. Like the rudder of a great ship, the tongue is a very small part of the body, but it has immense influence over the direction you take. You don't have to be large in stature to completely overtake someone. All you need is a sharp tongue. Physical harm often times is nothing compared to the harm done by the tongue. It can beat down, minimize, deject, diminish, dishearten, deflate, discourage, depress, and demoralize in mere seconds, without landing one physical blow. So, in 2019, a good goal for us all would be to tame the tongue. Now, you say, but the Bible says no one can! Yes no ONE can. But with God all things are possible! And taming the tongue is a job for God and His more than able Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in you! And that same Spirit raised Christ from the dead. And I think if He raised Christ from the dead, He is more than capable of assisting you in taming your tongue. But you must acknowledge Him in you and yield to Him. Let the power in your tongue bring life! 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NLT) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:10-14 (NLT) 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NLT) 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)

Food For Thought - Check Your Love Gauge When times are bad or when people are going through rough place, Romans 8:28 is often recited or used to help with the situation. And when quoted, it is often quoted like this - "I know all things work together for my good!" And that sounds great. And if that was the extent of the scripture, it would be absolutely fantastic. But, it isn't the extent of the scripture - there is a bit more. The whole verse says - (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Many of the promises of God aren't blanket promises covering anybody and everybody. Many of His promises end with "to those who love Him" or "to those who keep His commandments". And, let's be honest, not everyone does - not everybody loves Him and many who say they do, don't keep His commandments. God clearly says in His Word that if you love Him, you'll keep His commandments. So He uses obedience to His Word as a "love gauge". As we begin a new year, let's all re-assess our love for God. And we can gauge our love for God by our obedience to His Word. And if we hit the mark on the love gauge, we can enjoy all His promises! James 1:12 (NKJV) - 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 2:5 (NKJV) - 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) - 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Deuteronomy 7:9 (NKJV) - 9 Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; Exodus 20:6 (NKJV) - 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Psalm 91:14-16 (NKJV) - 14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation." John 14:15, 21, 23 (NKJV) - 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments."..... 21" He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me."...... 23" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;."

Food For Thought - "Guilty As Charged?" Last week we mentioned that the end of the year often brings times of reflection. We look back over the year to see if goals were met (or not). This process could bring on bouts of guilt over unmet goals. Maybe if I tried harder, maybe if I'd just given it more time, if I just had more willpower - and the reasoning goes on and on. No one likes that feeling of guilt. There are times when your enemy, the devil, tries to lay guilt on you when you don't deserve it. It's one of his weapons. But there are times when the feeling of guilt is trying to tell you something. One of the definitions of guilt is "a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc., whether real or imagined." The etc. could be many things such as not accomplishing a goal that was set. But guilt is not necessarily a bad thing. In many situations, guilt is the appropriate response to have because it reveals a truth to us about ourselves. There's been more than a time or two when I've done the wrong thing or not done the right thing and felt "guilty". This feeling of guilt works to expose something that is wrong in our lives. The next time you are feeling nagged by guilt, don't immediately feel bad. Use it to examine the situation to see where you might have gone wrong and begin to make it right. Guilt requires a response from you before it will go away. It will linger and nag you if you don't! 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 (NLT) 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT) 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7 (ESV)

Food For Thought - "Git 'er done!" This is the last Food For Thought for 2018. Where did the year go?! This is often the time that we reflect back through the year and wonder if we accomplished what we wanted to. Do not be discouraged or disappointed in yourself for unmet goals. They are not failures, they are accomplishments that haven't been reached yet. It is not a failure unless you've given up. Remember, 2018's finish line is 2019's starting line! So rev up your motivational engines and let's blaze across that line with motors racing! Unmet goals from 2018 are in our crosshairs and new targets are not far behind. Pursue the "git 'er done" mentality! But most importantly, remember that you are not in this race alone! You might be in the driver's seat, but the Holy Spirit is riding shotgun with map in hand calling out the directions so you reach each destination at the exact right time. Pay attention to your navigator for He is crucial to accomplishing your purpose. We wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year! 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) 2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)

Food For Thought - I Won't Hold My Breath Has anyone ever told you they would do something for you and you are still waiting? Many reasons (excuses) are offered as to why they have not yet been able to do it, but you are still on their to-do list. You begin to wonder just how long their to-do list is, or perhaps they continue to rearrange the order of the items on that list and somehow you keep slipping to the bottom. We've all experienced this, or worse, been the procrastinator. But the simple truth is: if something is important enough to us, we get it done. And if not, it remains perpetually pending. And it's not a good feeling to be left pending. Examine your life. Your integrity and character is almost entirely based on your words and whether you are true to them. Are you a person of your word? Can people depend on you? Are others able to rely on what you tell them and know that what you say will come to pass (sooner rather than later). Our words mean absolutely nothing if our actions do not back them up. Know the difference between making a promise you can't keep and making a promise you don't want to keep. When you legitimately can't keep a promise there is usually a good reason, but when you don't want to keep a promise, there is always a poor excuse. 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 1 John 2:5 (ESV) 23 You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth. Deuteronomy 23:23 (ESV) 2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. Numbers 30:2 (ESV) 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

Food For Thought - Homegoing Today we dedicate our Food For Thought to the honor and memory of Shirley Bartachek, a beloved church family member who went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 6, 2018. Shirley, along with her husband Jerry, has been a part of the GFC family from its very beginning. Her dedication and faithfulness to, not only GFC, but to the Lord over all these years has been treasured, inspiring and humbling. Shirley was always ready with a kind word and comforting presence. Her care and concern for others was evident in every word she spoke. She was a beautiful example of what a woman after God's heart looks like. She will be deeply missed by her church family. As Shirley now celebrates her Blessed Hope, may God comfort Jerry, Christy and all her beloved family. Although this scripture refers to Jerusalem, it is a fitting reminder of the life of Shirley Bartachek - "You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Isaiah 62:3 ESV. Shirley was a precious jewel! 10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)