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firstIMPRESSIONS
Don’t ask God to bless your plans, ask Him to show you His – they’re already blessed! And remember, God will never tell you to do anything that doesn’t line up with what He’s already told you in His Word (Isaiah 8:20). Make sure your goal is to glorify God. Sometimes that’s hard to know, for the worst pride often masquerades behind feigned humility. The human body is amazing, just pat a man on the back and his head begins to swell (James 4:6)! Use your brain. God’s guidance transcends human reasoning, but it doesn’t exclude it. When God saves you, He doesn’t remove your mind, He renews it. So pray, then put it to work (Romans 12:2). Seasons aren’t meant to be ignored. If it isn’t God’s timing, wait! In the right season, the plan will be clear, the people you need will show up and the funds will be provided (Ecclesiastes 3:1). God has promised it, so trust Him! Seek trustworthy counsel. Beware of those who patronize you for selfish reasons. Listen to those who value what you value and have been where you want to go (Proverbs 27:17). Never act without the facts, but never limit God to them. When knowledge won’t take you another step, faith will carry you through, for that’s what connects you to the power of God. Now listen again: “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help (James 1:6). Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 6.10. Live for God, on purpose, each and every day, seeking Him and trusting Him to lead and guide you all along the way. |
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 What Kind of Servant are You?
In the day that we live, especially here in America, it seems at least to me that much of the promotion of Christianity is built around a consumer mentality. By that, I mean churches attempt to reach out to the world by promoting their ministries, emphasizing how your needs can be met by attending their church. The mind set of many is to choose a religion, and therefore choose a church, by what it can personally do for them and their family. This is a very “western” idea of Christianity. When one “shops” for a church or a religion in the same way that one shops for a new car, then we step outside of what true Christianity is really all about. Now, don’t get me wrong – I am indeed very thankful that God has supplied all my needs according to His riches in glory! I am so very glad that He will never leave me nor forsake me. But, the call of true Christianity is not to one of seeking to receive, but rather to give. Christ Himself modeled that very thing, as we understand the He did not come into this world to be served, but rather to serve. As Christians, we thank God that every good and perfect gift comes from above. But, the call of the Christian is not one of self-satisfaction, but rather one of servanthood. We are called to be servants. So, my friend, what kind of servant are you? The Bible speaks often of servants. In fact, in the New Testament, there are five different words that have been translated into our English Bibles as “servant.” Of these five words, there is one in particular that the apostle Paul continually calls himself. He uses this word in Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:24, Titus 1:1, and also in our text for this Sunday’s message, Galatians 1:6-10. If you really want to be all that God has called you to be, then you want to be who Paul says that he is! Join us this Sunday morning for my message, “The Bond Servant of Christ.” (top)  The Church in the Marketplace
by Rubel Shelly It appears to me that more people who claim to be Christ-followers in this world are caught up in doing church over being church. Church isn’t a place. It isn’t a set of ritual acts. It isn’t the performance abilities of teachers or musicians. Church is the life of Jesus on display through his people – with Jesus functioning as head and all his people as various parts of his body in the world. Jerry Cook tells a story about Richard Halverson that illustrates the contrast between “doing” and “being” as the people who confess Christ. Dr. Halverson was chaplain of the United States Senate for several years. He would occasionally visit the seminary where Cook was a student. After one of those visits to speak to students, he joined a group of them for coffee and made himself available for informal conversation. “Dr. Halverson,” began one of the seminarians, “where is your church?” The student was asking about the street location of the Presbyterian Church Halverson served, but he got a deeper and more insightful answer. “Well, its three o'clock in Washington, D.C. The church I pastor is all over the city right now. It’s driving buses, serving meals in restaurants, sitting in board meetings, having discussions in the Pentagon, deliberating in Congress.” He proceeded with a long list of roles and responsibilities where his church was functioning that day. “And periodically we get together at a building on Fourth Street,” he added, “but we don’t spend a lot of our time there.” The pastor-chaplain was not naive with his answer. He was brilliant. And he had the clear intent to challenge a young would-be pastor to raise his sights above the Sunday event of church as an assembly. Or even church as programs and budgets and organization. The church was never intended to be isolated from the world but to penetrate it as salt does food. Jesus wants his people to be “in the world” but not “of the world” – functioning as light to dark places. Where will you be today? In meetings? On the phone? Calling on clients? Teaching algebra? Cleaning house? Delivering product? Delivering speeches? Delivering babies? Wherever you will be and whatever you are doing there, you will be part of the spread-out, scattered-over-the-world church. Your role is to be a stand-in for Jesus to make the world a better, less-threatening place. “Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NLT). As seen in Rubel Shelly’s weekly email devotional, “The FAX of Life.” The FAX of Life is a free weekly service from Rubel Shelly and the Family of God at Woodmont Hills. www.RubelShelly.com (top)  Spiritual Assassins
by Tom Penland In Ephesians 6:11, the apostle Paul instructs the Saints of God to do the following: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (NKJV). Interestingly enough, the New International Version says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” As New Testament believers, we know that satan (our enemy) desires to destroy our lives and keep us from the great purposes our Savior has for us (1 Peter 5:8). In doing so, the enemy is extremely cunning and strategic in how he attempts to wreck our lives! Today, I would like to share with you some of the “spiritual assassins” I have seen the enemy use over the course of my Christian life; things he uses in order to plot against God’s Saints. 7 Major Spiritual Assassins 1. Pride – 1 Peter 5:5 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” For God to resist the proud, He is not only displeased with them, but is also actively working against them. Pride is the root to all sin, and we must humbly submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus and ask Him to eradicate any residue of pride in our lives. 2. Offense – This is a root of spiritual cancer that will keep us from the blessings God has for us. Paul admonished the church of Philippi to ”.approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10). We must choose everyday to walk in forgiveness of those who have wronged us and continue to bless those who curse us. 3. Greed/Lust – This is a by-product of pride. When greed influences a man or woman of God, it causes them to have wrong motives about why they desire the blessing of God in their lives. The Bible instructs us to walk free of greed and lust so that we keep our thoughts and actions pure before the Lord. 4. Lack of Discipline – Many in the body lose focus on why they do what they do. The enemy would desire to push you away from God’s purposes for your life! Don’t get caught up in just doing for God; enjoy being with God. Remember that your identity is rooted in God’s love for you, not your accomplishments! Develop a passion for being a lover of God. Keep your eyes on the prize (being Jesus), who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and rescued mankind from death (Hebrews 12:2). Stay focused on what’s important! 5. Division – Once he has driven you away from those God placed you with, the devil always seeks to separate you from the strength of your unity into a place of weakness. Stay planted with those whom God has called you to serve with! 6. Fear – The spirit of fear will cause the gift of God to lay dormant in our lives. That’s why Paul commands Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him. Immediately after Paul gives this instruction, he reminds Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). Timothy was a young pastor, and he was allowing himself to be intimidated by those who were older than he. The gift of God was lying dormant in his life! As believers, we must serve the Lord and fear Him only! You will serve whom you fear. 7. False Doctrine – The apostle Paul prophesies in 1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” Truth is very important to the Lord. In Ephesians, we see the armor of God, and the “belt of truth” is listed as part of this armor. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, hangs on the belt of truth. The great apostle was illustrating that truth holds things together, just like a belt holds your clothes in place! Continue to hold the truth of God’s word above all that you do! 1 Peter 5:8, commands “Be sober and vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The apostle Peter goes on to say, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:9-11). Today is a good day, because God has given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord! (top)  More than 100%
From a strictly mathematical viewpoint... what equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life? Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions: If: Is represented as: Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K and K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E But, A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E AND, look how far the love of God will take you L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it’s the Love of God that will put you over the top. (top)  More of Christ
Congregations today need not great plans and programs but more of Christ; Not more up-to-date schemes and gimmicks, but more of Christ; Not more business meetings and gatherings, but more of Christ; Not more highly educated preachers, but more of Christ; Not a more pleasing self-image but more of Christ; Not a more elite and socially-minded people, but more of Christ; Not great numbers, but more of Christ! – John Bannister (top) 
by Jewel Diamond Taylor Whatever you are going through, you can make it. Cancel the pity party. Analyze your options. You will have a great testimony of your faith, endurance and creative problem solving skills. The word of God says in Isaiah 43, “I will make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Get up and stand strong on His promises. It’s going to happen from the most unexpected person or place. So keep your ears, eyes, mind and heart open. And when it happens, don’t say, “I can’t believe it.” Just start saying “Thank you...thank you...thank you...what a mighty God I serve!” (top)  Your Needs... No Problem
Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each a mile long, would be required! Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit. And oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water! And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. (They did?) Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So, there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night. But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long... think of it! This space just for nightly camping. Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs? (top)  The Last Impression...
Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker-function and begins to talk. Everyone else in the room stops to listen. MAN: “Hello” The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are looking at him in astonishment. Then he asks: “Anyone know who this phone belongs to?” May it always be you that answers your phone when it rings! And, when the Lord calls, I want to say, “Here am I, Lord, send me!” This Sunday, there are a number of folks who are following the call of the Lord to be baptized! It’s going to be a super Sunday here at WFA! Hope to see you here! |
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Yours for HIM, |
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