NO MIRACLES?

Mark 6:4-6
4 Jesus said to them, " A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household." 5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He wondered at their unbelief. NASU
** No miracles? America has stopped honoring God. We have allowed rulers and officials to come into office that do not believe. They do not honor God and we will fall. We will stop seeing the great miracles and moves of God because we are choosing to elect Godless people. All in the name of “make our lives more comfortable.” America is in debt because we spend more than we make. We don’t want to pay more taxes and we want to spend more money. We want to blessed but we don’t want to include a God who blesses those who seek Him. We want health but we reject Jehovah Rapha the God who heals ALL our diseases AND we vote these people in to office that vote to kill millions of unborn babies. We want good strong families but we vote for men and women who stand up for the Homosexual and cast their vote to destroy everything that represents strong healthy families. America can’t have what they want because they have denied the giver. America can't have what they want because there are too may spinless Christians that love the comforts of "bless me" religion instead of standing up for what the Word of God teaches. I guess God will have to allow us to go thru hard times to cause us to turn from our wicked ways. I DO NOT FEAR because i DO SERVE a God that will, (no matter what comes our way), protect, heal, provide and stand by my side every step of the way. I HONOR HIM and place Him first in all I do. God help up WAKE UP before it’s too late.

HOW MUCH?

Mark 4:20
20 "And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold."
NASU
** God is such a pusher. He pushes us to excellence. Look at verse 20, even when you are good soil, He pushes you to bear fruit 100 fold. Now I know some of you are thinking, “but He mentions 30 and 60 fold too.” Yea, but if you’re like me, seeing the 30 and 60 makes you want the 100! I do not want to be standing in the presence of the creator of the universe with a basket 30 or 60 fold harvest while others are there with 100 fold! If Jesus gave me 100 I’m going to give Him 100. I will not settle for less when I know I can do more. The question today is how much are you comfortable bring before God?

SMILE

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.

The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?"

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

JOB'S THE MAN!

Job 19:25-26
25 "As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
26 "Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; NASU
** Amazing! I can’t even express how I feel about this verse. Who else in the whole world could feel this way about God after all Job has been thru? Job is an amazing man. Apparently he is rancid and horrible looking and completely abandoned, yet he chooses to praise and give glory to God. I am such a wimp. Even when I have a small sore throat or anything like that I just act like I’m dying. How much we need to be like Job. Though all the world was against him and he even believed God was against him, yet he would not bad mouth God and chose to stay faithful.

YOU ARE IMPORTANT

Acts 27:23-25
23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.' 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. NLT** It’s always nice to know that you have angel watching over you and standing beside you. Christians have a hard time understanding how blessed they are. Here we see that God loved and protected Paul in several different situations, however notice that Paul says that God has granted safety to everyone sailing with him. If you are a Christian, then your employer is blessed because you work there. Most Christians have a hard time believing or understanding this. Speaking in the worlds’ terms, you are a lucky charm to everyone in the world that associates with you. Why? Because God longs to bless you in everything you do! (see Deut. 28th chapter). We need to know that our prayers are heard and God longs to answer them because He love us and wants to bless His children.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW

Acts 19:32
32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.
NIV** This is the perfect picture of our presidential election. People shouting and yelling and MOST people don’t even know what they believe. I’ve been pastoring CFC for 17 years. For approx 10 years we have had core values. I’ve been teaching our mission and core values on a regular basis for those 10 years. If I get up this next Sunday and call on each member individually, there may be only 20 percent that would know every core value and mission of our church. I believe people are voting and following men and are not listening to what they believe. What does each candidate believe? Remember, countries rise and fall on moral issues. Our money is not what will save America but what god we serve and our honor to God and his commands for our lives. We need to check out the moral standards of each candidate and their running mates and vote for the candidate that will most likely bring our country BACK to a relationship with Jehovah God rather than just put more empty money in our pockets.

HIS OFFSPRING

Acts 17:29
29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone — an image made by man's design and skill. NIV
** “We are God’s offspring.” Because we are God’s offspring, we should think as “God’s offspring.” Paul says, “you guys should be thinking better than this…. You guys should be thinking like God thinks.” It’s obvious, as we come to the end of this age, the real God thinkers seem to be less and less and the children of the world become more and more. Even with this election, I can’t believe how much hatred there is swirling around both in public and in the media. It is easy to get caught up in the thoughts of the world and join in with them in voicing my opinion. But what does God think about all of this? What does God say about our church, our jobs, our families, the election? If we are truly His offspring and have His mind, then we should be thinking like God during all of this. If all we do is just repeat what we hear everyone else of the word say then the mind of Christ does not get spread out to a lost and dying world. Now I didn’t say that it would be a popular thought and you may have to suffer for His thoughts. But I believe it is better to suffer for thinking good than to be honored for thinking like the world.

NOT EVERYONE?

Acts 16:6-10
6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. NASU
** “Forbidden to speak the word in Asia?” “The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them to preach in Bithynia?” Many times we think that it is God’s will for us to preach the gospel but what if it’s not? I know that Jesus said “go into all the world and preach the gospel” and yet here He warns Paul and the others NOT to preach to a certain group of people. Maybe God was protecting them and knew that if they went to those areas, they would loose their lives and that was not God’s will for them? What about all the disciples who lost their life being martyred? What is more honorable, to end your life early or to live longer to preach to more for the gospel? I notice Paul throughout his journey, making decisions not to go to certain cities to be tried but appealing to Rome. Maybe he saw the decisions of others that were being killed and maybe he remembered when he was stoned to death because he spoke too much or to the wrong people? I truly don’t know the answer to these questions, but it makes me think that maybe the reason many Christians die is not because it’s God’s will but because they didn’t listen to Him or heed His warnings and walked into the trap of the enemy? I guess I’m learning to listen to Him more clearly and hear what I’m suppose to do and where I’m suppose to go.

SOME STILL WON'T

Acts 14:3-6
3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, NASU
** Ok, we’ve got miracles happening, people being changed and great things happening among the Jews and Gentiles and according to verse 4, the people were still divided! No matter what God does on the face of this earth, there will still be people who won’t believe. Look at all the things that Jesus did and the miracles and all the stuff that proved He was the Son of God and yet it says in John, even when Lazarus was raised from the dead some did not believe in Him.
John 11:43-46
43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. NIVOk, so I used to be all bothered that some people would turn away from the Love of God and pass up on eternal life…. You’ve heard the saying “you can lead a horse to water?” everyone HAS to make a choice to follow Him but some still won’t. I pray TO the Lord of the harvest for LABORERS to go out and bring those in WHO WILL believe.

WORD DENIAL

Job 6:10
10 At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
NLT
** No matter what happens, we must NEVER deny the Words of the Bible. I’ve seen so many people, as soon as they get in trouble, start questioning the bible and before long everyone has a different belief because of their experiences. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that experience is great and needed quite often to help make decisions for the future. However, we have easily forgotten that the Word of God ALWAYS overrides experience. I know pastors that teach different doctrines because they had an experience. The experience did not line up with the Bible so because they didn’t want to be wrong in one way or another, they teach experience. One example is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The word of God is very clear that when you receive the Baptism you will receive the gift of tongues as what we call the “initial evidence.” Some pastors or believers, when they were prayed for to receive the Baptism, did not instantly speak in another language so then instead of continuing to seek the Holy Spirit out to receive the language they decide that tongues is not the initial evidence and begin to teach ??? you name it, they fill in the blanks. Instead of saying lets keep seeking, lets keep hanging in here until the Holy Spirit finishes what He started, they settle for something else. Ok I’m done with my rant for the day….. J The Word of God NEVER fails and is NEVER wrong. Trust in it with your whole heart and you will succeed!

RETURN TO THE LORD

Mal 3:14-16
14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.'" 16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. NIV
** Selfish, selfish, selfish…. Is this the word described about those who are not true followers of Jesus. When I read Malachi, I read about a group of people who used to serve God and truly worship Him, now question and test everything about Him. THEY SAY, “if it doesn’t benefit me, then I’m not going to do it or serve Him. Tandi had brought up the verse 15… “now we call the arrogant blessed.” And said that it reminded her of Oprah. How much we have distorted what true blessing is. I fear that people will vote during this election for that which fills their pockets and rescue their money rather than save babies and keep the family unit undefiled. America has truly been spoiled. A country who used to fear God and serve Him faithfully has now began to say the same thing… “it is futile to serve God.” If you are reading this, PRAY! Please pray for our nation like never before. This country is in need of repentance and turning back to God.

HOW ARE YOU RECOGNIZED

Acts 4:13
13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. NASU
** When people recognize you who or what do they think of first? Friend or Foe? Good or Bad? Truth or lie? Life or death? Rich or poor? Dirty or clean? Christian or sinner? When people see you when you first walk in the room, what is the first thing that comes into their mind? Peter and John, even though they were identified at being uneducated and untrained men, the most dominated indemnity that they carried was that “they had been with Jesus.” Just by looking at them, everyone knew that they had been with Jesus. That’s what I want in my life. No matter how great I become or how well known I may be, I want to be known for my connection with the mighty God and Lord Jesus Christ.

PROSPER IN ALLYOU DO

Ps 1:1-3
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners,
or join in with scoffers. 2 But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. NLT
** Are you prospering in everything you do? If not then take the above verse and read it over and over to see if it’s you or the devil that is keeping you from the blessings of God.
** Are you following the advice of the wicked?
** Are you standing around with sinners all the time?
** Are you joining in with gossips or scoffers?
** Do you delight in doing what the Lord wants?
** Are you constantly thinking about or reading God’s word?
These are the 5 questions you should be asking yourself when it seems that things are not going well with you. If you are doing all these things and you are still not seeing the blessings of God on your life, then begin taking charge over the devil and speak powerful authority words to rebuke him and power words over your situation to see God’s kingdom come and His will be done in your life.

PROVE YOURSELF FAITHFUL

Neh 9:7-8
7 "You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him from Ur of the Chaldeans and renamed him Abraham. 8 When he had proved himself faithful, you made a covenant with him to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites. And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word. NLT
** God gave Abraham everything He promised him. However, notice the condition of God’s promised blessings in verse 8….. “When he had PROVED himself faithful.” God really wants to bless His people and give them promises and covenants and do awesome things for them and to them, but He’s waiting for us to prove that we can handle it. He is waiting for us to “prove ourselves faithful.” This takes time which most Christians don’t think they have much of because their too busy doing stuff. Yea, I know, I do stuff too and it sure takes up a lot of my time so I don’t have the time I need to prove myself faithful. So what do we do? I would recommend to start setting priorities in your life. What is the most important thing to God first and then build around it both your schedule and time. Once you prove yourself faithful to God you can know that He is ALWAYS true to His Word and will do what He has promised.

ARE YOU GOOD OR GREAT?

In my reading today, I found that when God has set a plan in order, NOBODY can stop it. Many times in this world we begin to work a work for God and then there’s always somebody who steps up and comes against what God has clearly told us to do. Often times we just walk away in defeat because we are not fighters and / or we don’t have the energy to fight back with the little resources we have. It is easy for me to get frustrated when conflict comes because I just want to get it done and leave me alone while I’m getting it done! :) Unfortunately that is not the case. Almost every time I’ve made a move to do a either small or great thing for the Lord, opposition has come. I’m getting better about being tough, but it gets pretty tiring after a while. That is why God has surrounded me with great warriors in our church. I am encouraged by each Team Leader that stands beside me and sticks up for me and sometimes even fights for me during the tough and even not so tough times. I mean in regular church life (which is nothing like Celebration Church) there are those who just do their ministries by themselves and never count on anyone else to help with the task at hand and there are also those who even though they look strong in the Lord and they act strong in the Lord, they will not commit to “doing the work.” I know I can depend on my Team Leaders to stick up for me. I’m talking about Celebration Team Leaders! They are the ones who have taken the “high road” to success. In my life of ministry for the past 17 years here at Celebration, I’ve come up with this phrase. You can be a good leader (or fill in the blank… a good ________ ) or a great leader. Good leaders, teachers, preachers, disciple, parking attendant, usher etc. are a dime a dozen. There everywhere! But GREAT leaders, teachers, preachers, disciples etc. are rare and refreshing and this is what GREAT churches are built out of.
Thanks guys for watching my backside and standing around me in the midst of battle.
Pastor Dave

REJOICE OVER ONE

Luke 15:8-10
8 "Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents." NLT
**Ok, so you knew I would have to journal on this verse! It is one of my favorite and is one of the foundations of Celebration Church. This past week I spoke on “do you have any fish.” What a joy it is to have fish in the boat. Not only is it my joy to have fish but it’s God’s joy too! Even the angels have joy when we catch fish. I not only want to please myself by being fruitful and catching a harvest of fish, but my main goal in life is to make my savior happy. I want to please Him in all I do and especially in the area of winning souls.