17-Jan-2009
Posted by : Steve Crenshaw
Praying the scriptures actually makes me nervous sometimes. Not nervous like scared but nervous like, God already knows what He said in scripture so who am I to tell him about it. Then I think about Daniel. Daniel read the scriptures and discovered what God said would happen to the people of Israel. When Daniel read Jeremiah he knew that the time for Israel to be in exile was seventy years so he knew their time was almost up. So what did he do, he asked for forgiveness for his sins, the sins of his family, the sins of the leaders, and the sins of all the people of Israel. Then he prays back what God had said. He prays that God would stick to his word and free the people of Israel just like he says he will in Jeremiah.
God said this is what would happen and knew Daniel would pray for it to happen before he did. Daniel knew that God knew everything but he still prayed. As should we. Yes God knows the beginning from the end but we need to heed the call to pray. When we feel that need it may just be God using us to free someone from bondage.
Praying the scripture should not be used out of context. Context, Context, Context. This is something we have gotten away from thanks to many of the popular preachers of our day. Know the full passage before you claim a scripture. Get a book on the subject. Beth Moore wrote a good book several years ago called Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds
I know she is known predominately as a women’s author but this is a good book for everyone. Scripture cover things like: addiction, Guilt, unbelief, pride and several more topics.
Using the Psalms or Proverbs is a good place to start. Here is an example form the 23rd Psalm.
Lord you lead my life, and I do not want anything but you. You guide me and comfort me, You restore my soul. You increase my righteousness for your glory not mine. I have no fear because you are with me and you provide for my needs. I am filled with goodness and love because your spirit is within me, and because of your sacrifice I will join you in heaven when you call me there.
Make it your own, live by it and think on it regularly.
If you are in the Middleburg Florida area this Sunday we would love to have you. Our Church is located at 3965 Old Jennings Rd on the corner of Old Jennings and Long Bay
09-Jan-2009
Posted by : Steve Crenshaw
My sermon this week is on patience from James 1. But my cross reference took me to John 14
1″Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Part of being patient is knowing God is in control. This passage let us know that Jesus has it all taken care of and we don’t need to worry about what will come in the future. When we rest in Christ we can know that we have a big future in store. He is going to prepare a place for us in heaven so who care what happens here on Earth.
I know it is a hard concept to grasp with all the layoffs and work closings that are going on right now, but it pales in comparison when we rely on him and him alone. Maybe a job loss is meant to draw someone closer to him. We are still trying to understand why my wife’s mother was called home last year, but we know that he has a reason and his reason is beyond our reasons.
In Romans Paul write that all things work to good for those who love the Lord. Give your burden to him and let him comfort you. He has it all under control and he will com back for us someday.
If you are in the Middleburg Florida area this Sunday we would love to have you. Our Church is located at 3965 Old Jennings Rd on the corner of Old Jennings and Long Bay
God Bless,
05-Jan-2009
Posted by : Steve Crenshaw
Our faithfulness to the church is paramount. It is not our church. We should love it and want to take care of it for God. He has put every one of us in a church because our gifts can be used there. When you miss a Sunday your gifts are not utilized and someone is not getting ministered to . When you miss a practice for praise team or drama ministry you essentially say you don’t care about the people that are involved or the church as a whole because your time is more important than they are.
I think for me this has hit home over the last year. I have seen so many people step up to do things like; plan visitor connection times or step out of their comfort zone and teach a class that when I see people just snub their nose at the church because they are tired that Sunday it really get’s to me.
Love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Think about that the next time it is to hard to get out of bed on Sunday or maybe when you figure out you have committed yourself to so many things outside the church you can’t give any time to God.
Read Marc Driscoll’s Blog here:
The Mars Hill Blog | Blog Archive » Final Thoughts From Pastor Mark at 12:37am After the Lowest Sunday in Many Years.
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