Announcement

I won't be able to post for about a week because my semester is ending and I will be busy. :)

Motivation

Encouragement

Encouragement

Encouragement

Encouragement

Encouragement

Devotional Thought

Why be nice to those that are not as well off as you? Proverbs 22: 22-23 has the answer.

²² Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

²³ For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Just something Interesting I found reading this morning...

Encouragement

Encouragement

From the Devotions...

Proverbs 19

¹ Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

² Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

A good reminder to do right no matter what the "economist" says.

Encouragement

Encouragement

From the Devotions...

¹ Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

² A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

³ A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

Just a few verses that spoke to me. Remember to keep doing right!

Motivation

Well, has it?

Encouragement

Modivation

This is so true!

Motivation

Devotional Thought

Colossians 3

¹ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

⁶ For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

I was reading these verses this morning and was thinking about how most people will freely acknowledge that the things listed in verses 5 and 8 are bad, yet do them all the time. The command here is to set my attentions, goals, and aspirations on higher things. The reward for doing what is commanded is oneness in Christ (verse 4 and 11). 

Christian Encouragement

Christian Encouragement

Principles From David's Life

2 Samuel 11:1-5, 12:7-15 
Principle illustrated: We need to be careful about what we watch. 
Summary: David was at his palace, taking life easy and was looking out over the city. He saw a lady bathing and desired her. We need to me careful about where we are and what we are looking at. David should have been more carful, instead he called for her to come to his palace. David fell to his lust because he did not control what he was watching. 

Christian Motivation

The eternality of God's word

The Key to Success

2 Samuel 5:17-25

¹⁷ But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heardof it, and went down to the hold.

¹⁸ The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

¹⁹ And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

²⁰ And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

²¹ And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

²² And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

²³ And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

²⁴ And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

²⁵ And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

 Principle illustrated: Hearing and doing what God says is the key to success. 

David asked God what to do when he has to make a decision in battle. Because David hears what God says, he has success in two battles. 

The key to ‘real’ success is in listening and doing what God says. For us as Christians, we need to read the Bible and pray for direction.

 I need to be reminded that God’s love for me is never ending and He always keeps His promises. Sometimes I assume that God will always be with me even if I don't ask him for help. (Especially when I make my own decisions and do what I think is right without consulting Him first) 

I have to remember to trust and obey God.

Christian Encouragement

Christian Encouragement

The difference between Virginity and Purity

This is an excellent article about the difference between Virginity and Purity. It is possible to grow up as a Virgin but not to have kept yourself pure.

What is the truth about sex and purity? God created sex; therefore, it is natural.  Purity is something God called us to, therefore, it is supernatural. The only reason we are called virgins is because we have not had sex, thus we have not progressed in the natural timeline of humanity. 

The only reason we can call ourselves pure is because God called us pure.  Purity is defined as Being morally clean without blemish. The only way we can truly be morally pure is because through Jesus atonement for our sins. Through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice we may claim to be pure. 

To read the entire article, click on the link. 

Purity vs Virginity

Past, Present, Future

I heard a message a while ago talking about how Christians should react to their past, present, and future.

The text was out of Hebrews 10:32-37
³² But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
³³ Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
³⁴ For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
³⁶ For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
³⁷ For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

1. Our Past - verse 32
     - Be encouraged by your Past
     - He has saved us from so much!

2. Our Present - verse 36
     - Do not cast away our patience. We need to slow down and trust God.
     - 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

3. Our Future - verse 37
     - We should live like He is just over the horizon
     - Hebrews 10:38 - Now the just shall live by faith
     - Do not draw back from what God has for us. He always has great plans for us!

Wallpaper

One verse goes a long way

I sometimes wonder if I am spending enough time in Gods Word... I realize that it is more important to obey God’s Word than to just read it like its a box to check on my to-do list; but I want to make sure that I give it enough time. This article by Andrée Seu Peterson talks about Psalm 34:1. 

What if Psalm 34:1 were all you had to go on? You get a good job, so you say, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” You lose your job so you say, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” 

God sends you an awesome girlfriend so you say, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” You lose your girlfriend so you say, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

That one verse covers everything in your christian life.

World

David's Trouble

This past Sunday, at the Campus Church, Pastor McBride brought an excellent message about the importance of trials in our life. The example in the Bible was the life of David. In 1 Samuel 22:1-5 David was hiding from Saul in the Cave Adullam. 400 men that were fugitives from Saul joined him there. David didn't choose these men, these men were brought to him by God and David had to be a good example to them even as he was going through a difficult time in his life.