4GIVEN

With so much negative buzz, it’s easy to become divided as a nation. In the book of Jude we are reminded that in the last days there will be scoffers, grumbles, and complainers that will create division mainly because the Spirit of God doesn’t live in them. Jude instructs us how to respond to such people; vv. 20-25, “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”

I have heard it said, “Holding on to anger and bitterness is like a drinking deadly poison and longing for the other person to die.” What does God say about the matter of bitterness? Great question, I am glad you asked. Hebrews 12:5, “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you and corrupting many.” Let me make something clear; the root is not itself bitterness but rather the poisonous fruit it produces. (Deut 29:18). Hebrews 12:14 says, “Pursue peace with all men and work at living a holy (set apart), life for those who are not holy (set apart) will not see God.”

If you are hosting a super bowl party and or privilege to attend the super bowl festivities, whether you’re celebrating your team’s victory or mulling over your team’s loss don’t forget to share the love of Christ. This can be an event where FAITH meets FOOTBALL.You may be shocked to know that your ministering opportunity might be the one’s that are the closest to you! Now, you don’t need to bring your Bible to the game or hand out tracts during half time for people to know that you’re a Christian. There’s something obviously different about you when you show compassion, humility, and love for others. What did Christ say? You’ll be known by your love (John 13), He didn’t say you’ll be known by your judging and holier-than-thouness (yeah I made up a word ;)! Have a bless weekend and remember the greatest victory every won was done on the cross in the first Super Bowl: Adam’s Sin vs. Jesus’ Gift.

Yesterday we talked about faith activating the promises of God and today, I would like to share with you that your faith will also secure your victory in times of trouble. Romans 5:1-5 says, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Amen and amen!”

We are recipient of God’s promises when our faith in God is activated. Check out Romans 4:16-17, “So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” That’s right God speaks those things as though they already exist! So if you believe God’s promises are eluding your situation by faith speak them into your right now circumstance and begin moving forward as if you have already received them. Amen and amen!!

In a devotional entitled “What is prayer”, Got Question Ministries stated, “The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.” If prayer is the shortest distance to our solutions why do so many not pray? Most will say, “I don’t know what to say.” If this is you, start with the basics; Good morning, thank You for waking me up this morning! You’ll be surprise that once you start a conversation how easy it becomes to talk to God about everything! The Bible says that if you call out to Him, He will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you don’t know (Jeremiah 33:3).

“The Right Place”Series, “How to Improve Your Marriage Without Words”

(Part 4 of 4) #WithoutWords
To get to the ‘right place’ in marriage…..
1. Understand: Love is a #VERB!

(1 John 3:18)
2. Understand your mate’s #NEEDS!

(Eph 5:33)
3. Intimacy is the result of being in the #RIGHTPLACE.

(1 Cor 7:3-5) & (James 1:14-15)
Tim’s additional Points of Power (OFF THE LISTENING GUIDE):
It’s not about being in a GOOD place it’s about being in the RIGHT place.
Believe it or not, feelings lie!
Life is difficult but get on with your life.
Marriage is less about your words than it is living out the words of God.
Talk is cheap and love is action!
If you are hard to live with…..change: Your spouse doesn’t deserve that! 
If you can choose to be kind with a stranger you can choose to be kind to the person you stood at the alter and committed to live your life with!
God made men boring, predictable, and routine.
Don’t put kids the center of your marriage because they will leave as soon as they get a better deal!
Don’t put your spouse on the back burner and don’t let your children replace your spouse.
Sex shows up in a good marriage. 
Two good reasons God reserved sex for marriage because it creates a bond and procreation. 
The worst thing for a married woman is to be alone and the worst thing for man in a marriage is depriving him of sex.

https://www.newhopechurch.tv/how-to-improve-your-marriage/

The civil war that takes place in our minds limits the power of God from working supernatural miracles/breakthroughs in our lives. It’s called the battle between doubt and faith. When at the brink of a miracle or breakthrough, it’s often the best thought to hold off all optimism until we see it happen. I call this; DTS (Doubting Thomas Syndrome). To win this battle you must remember God’s promises never fail and He caused all things to work together. As human as we are, doubt and fear will always attempt to find it’s way in our minds. However, as we draw closer to Christ and trust in his promises, God will remove our doubts and replace it with faith,confidence, and trust. Those who leave everything in God hands will eventually see God’s hands in everything! 
#AMEN!

Hate is brewing in our country like coffee cups in a Keurig. It’s easy to jump on the hate bandwagon especially when are cups are being filled with sensationalized and grossly inaccurate news. How many movements and protests does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop? The Bible clearly articulates the proper Christian response to hate and hostility. For example, when we are cursed, we are to return a blessing in return (Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14). When we are forced to do something we don’t want to do, we are to go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41). If we “suffer for doing good” we are to “endure it” (1 Peter 2:20). These responses are hard to do, but they demonstrate that something supernatural is motivating us, something that transcends mere human nature (Matthew 5:46-47). In Romans 12 Paul exhorted, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”

Lord God, we seek Your forgiveness today. We ask that You create in us a clean heart and renew in us a steadfast spirit. Father, we need Your help today. We need You to order our steps and we ask that wherever our feet tread that You would cause it to prosper. Holy Spirt please reinforce the promise of Your presence in our hearts and minds. We are covered by the blood and we thank You Jesus Christ for our trusted salvation in You. Hide us today in the hollows of Your arms. If there be any lack in our lives we ask that just as You continue to provide for the fowl of the air that You continue to provide for our needs as well. God You are able and despite the times we fall, You are still good and Your mercies endure forever. We ask this in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! In Jesus name, amen!