Jacob The Heel Catcher - Spiritual Adultery

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Sep 3, 2016
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Godly Love

There’s a lot that can be said when it comes to the character that should be seen in believers, however the greatest characteristic of any Christian is Love. It’s the God kind of Love that we are referring to, and that kind of love can only be experienced by those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior! It was John the beloved who asked the question, how can a man love God whom he cannot see, yet hate his brother in whom he sees? A sad reality that we see in the body of Christ today is a lack of the God kind of love.

When we mention love we are speaking of loving not just in word only but in deed, meaning there is an action to love, it’s more than words we speak, but it will be seen in the way we treat one another and our fellow man. There have been so many times where we as believers have been hurt, offended, and at times we have offended others. However, the true test isn’t the offense, the test is can we forgive and continue to show the Love of Christ despite the offenses we encounter. No, by no means am I saying that love will cause us to reunite with a situation or person who has caused us bodily harm or legal issues, but we are saying that God’s love can cause us to forgive that individual and pray for them and love them!

It’s one thing to love the people who love us, but what about those who do us harm, mistreat us, and lie on us? Jesus told us to do good to them who despitefully use us, and to pray for them! We have here in the text in The Sermon On The Mount the complete opposite of how the world loves and how the religious world loves, but How God loves! God blesses the just and the unjust, and as believes we have a responsibility to allow the light of Christ to shine through us by the way we treat our fellow man whether they are Christian or not. We will not condone evil or support it, however we must love those and pray for the salvation of those who do evil. My prayer is Lord, help me to be the kind of Christian that reflects your love and your character and not that of the world.

Matthew 5:43-44
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
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Evangelist Torrance Nash
Evangelist Torrance Nash Ministries
 
Sep 3, 2016
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Bread Crumbs “The Next Best Thing” June 17

The next “best thing” in your life will often come as the result of the latest “worst thing” you have ever experienced. While it is tremendously difficult to come to appreciate trials, we must come to understand that they have a profitable purpose for the believer. A trial can help produce the ability to remain faithful in difficult circumstances. The believer learns that despite the confusion of the moment, God always has events under control. Trials may be an issue we never saw coming, an unexpected event we encountered as we turned life’s corner; it could be a heartache that we neither willfully caused or knowingly set in motion. We must learn to rejoice in the knowledge that God will bring something great out of the current negativity. Trials can be helpful to the growth of the Saint, especially when they “squeeze out” of us, self-sufficiency, self-interest, self-gratification, and other distracting tendencies of the flesh. In the heat of our anger and in the horror of our hurt, we must look to the author and finisher of our faith. Rest assured that what Jesus starts, Jesus will finish. He only asks that we trust Him until the night passes and the Daystar arises new in our hearts. And it will!

Romans 5:2-3 - By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
 
Sep 3, 2016
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The Miracle of God’s Word

Galatians 1:21
Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

After Paul left Peter and James, the Lord’s brother, he came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. His desire was to make known this Saving Jesus that had saved and changed his life. This is the new desire one receives when they are born again. ALL things become new when someone believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross for the forgiveness of their sins (2 Corinthians 5:17). We need to daily, as Believers, consider the new things that we have obtained through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The cross of Jesus Christ appeared to be doing away with that which had been expected of Him, and the very power which He had manifested among the people appeared to be long gone. Quite the opposite was true. His cross was not the end of all things, but the very revealing of all things new. It was not the end of His power, but a continuation of the same power which He had shown for the last three and a half years (John 10:18). The cross was not, as the false word of faith teachers teach, where everything fell apart, but rather where everything was falling into place and completion! Oh the wondrous cross of Jesus Christ, that precious and eternal line that has been drawn down through the ages!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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6/17/2020

Pastor Curtis
 
Sep 3, 2016
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Bread Crumbs “Theology vs Faith” June 18

What men know about God is expressed in the term theology. The definition of theology is simply the study of God. The best source to learn about God is the Bible, the vehicle through which God has chosen to reveal Himself. We should dedicate much of our thinking to the content of the Word. It discloses to us the nature and workings of God. We should study intently God's redemption plan and learn what it provides for those who will believe. While the study of a subject produces the groundwork for faith, it is the application of that subject that truly profits the believer. Knowledge in itself has the ability to “puff up” those who learn. However, it is the trial or the test that God furnishes for us that will cement truth into the heart. If we read and acknowledge that God can supply our each and every need, God just might place us in a situation where only He can meet our need. As we hold to His Word and we watch God supply what He promised, the theology in the head becomes the everlasting reality of the heart. Until we have learned to hold to the Cross in the midst of the battle our faith is nothing but untested theology."

Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
 
Sep 3, 2016
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The Miracle of God’s Word

Galatians 1:22
And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

Paul was yet to meet the Saints of Judaea, which he points out were In Christ. To be In Christ refers to being a believer of Christ concerning WHO He is and WHAT He came to do as Redeemer. I believe Paul was excited to finally be a part of what God was actually doing, and to have this great assurance and peace he now had by the power of the Holy Spirit through his faith in Christ (Isaiah 32:17).


The Churches had not only heard of the horrible things Paul had done in the past, but were now also hearing of his faith and his preaching of Jesus Christ. Paul had been accepted by the Lord, and eventually even some of the Church would accept him. Those who did were blessed beyond measure, as it would be to this Apostle that almost all instruction for the Churches to know how to function and behave as the Body of Christ, was given. Once the Lord is able to bring anyone back to exclusive trust and faith in the work of Christ at the cross, there will be a daily thankfulness for all that He spoke and did through the Apostle Paul, as he always points us to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ where we find the power of God!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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6/18/2020

Pastor Curtis
 
Sep 3, 2016
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Your Word for Today

“while he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a Voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him (Mat. 17:5).

The transfiguration presents a portrayal of the Glory of Christ. The Glory did not shine upon Jesus, but shone out from Him through His raiment. When Moses and Elijah appeared on the mountain with Him, Moses did so as a portrayal of the Law, while Elijah did so as a portrayal of Grace.


The gist of the conversation of Jesus with these two men, one who had been dead for about 1,500 years, and the other who had been translated that he did not see death, is interesting indeed! They spoke with Him of His atoning death (Lk. 9:31). This tells us that this Doctrine, the Atonement, is the great theme of Heaven (Rev. 1:5; 5:6, 9; 7:14).

Peter made a foolish statement about building three tabernacles, “one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” However, the answer from above was quick in coming. God will not have even the greatest Saints associated with His Beloved Son in worship or teaching. Both Moses and Elijah were, in fact, immediately withdrawn and the Divine Voice said, “Hear Him, and Him Alone!”

This means that all prayers to Saints, even prayers to the Virgin Mary, will avail nothing. The Command from God the Father is stark, crisp, and to the point, “Hear ye Him!”’

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart
 
Sep 3, 2016
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Bread Crumbs “Who God Uses” June 19

God uses imperfect people because there are no other kind. Justification is the declaration of God, extending righteousness to those who believe in Christ. Our simple faith in His Son causes God to apply a judicial verdict to our lives. He sees us as if we have never sinned. With the foundation of justification secure, God then begins the process of progressive sanctification. This is a lifetime undertaking. People who are justified and who are in the process of being changed are those whom God uses for His work. None are perfect! So if God could maintain relationship with a sneak like Jacob, a drunk like Noah, and a liar like Abraham; perhaps there is hope for me! If God could use a hater like Paul, an adulterer like David, and a failure like Peter; perhaps there is hope for me! Just think, God overcame the rebellion of Jonah, the doubt of Thomas, and the timidity of Timothy. So…If you think you went too far and cannot come home to Jesus, think again! God never encourages or condones wrong action or sin! But on the other hand, He never turns away from those who come to Him in honest heartfelt repentance. If you don’t quit - He won’t quit !

John 6:37 - All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
 
Sep 3, 2016
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The Miracle of God’s Word

Galatians 1:23
But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

The Churches of Judaea had yet to meet the Apostle, having only heard that he was no longer persecuting them, but was now preaching THE FAITH (Galatians 2:20) of the One they were following. What a great joy to watch or hear about someone as they experience the miracle of being born again, as it surely is a life changing moment. Much of what is called Salvation today is NOT Salvation. When there is no born again EXPERIENCE, it was something other. Every human being has a soul and a spirit, therefore spiritual experiences can take place, but only through the born again EXPERIENCE can one truly know God and everyone see the new life received.

Paul had once worked at destroying the faith and the people which he was now a part of. I believe when the Lord Jesus Christ asked Saul on his way to Damascus, “Why are you persecuting Me” (Acts 9:4), he realized that to persecute or mistreat the people of Christ in any way, is to persecute Christ Himself. WOW! To be faithful to the people of Christ is to be faithful to Christ Himself, but to ignore our Christian duties toward our Brothers and Sisters (The Church) is to ignore Christ. God doesn’t honor our thoughts and opinions that we attempt to bring into the situation, but those who honor His Word. The mission is only carried out by those who continue to minister to the household of faith (Hebrews 6:10), NOT HAVE IN THE PAST ONLY, but ARE trusting in Christ and His Redemptive work AGAIN TODAY!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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6/19/2020

Pastor Curtis
 
Sep 3, 2016
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Bread Crumbs “Recognizing True Love” June 20

Much has been said about the need of the body of Christ to love. Love is certainly the ultimate evidence of Christ in the life of a believer. However, one should be very careful when it comes to identifying what actions of an individual truly display love. Some expressions of love are birthed by God while other actions are just an active labor of the flesh, put on display for the purpose of impressing others. Not every act of kindness or gentle word is evidence of God's true love. At times, an empty shallow show of kindness is as far from the love of God as a man can be. In contrast, a strong rebuke could very well be the love of God extended in the form of concern and care. Just saying you love somebody is not evidence that the selfless love of God is active in you. We must arrive at the place where someone else's over-all well-being is more important than our personal concerns. We should find that a true concern for others is more important than our comfort, our reputation, our position, or our opinion. Perhaps at this point the true agape love of God has been successfully birthed in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
 
Sep 3, 2016
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The Miracle of God’s Word

Galatians 1:24
And they glorified God in me.

When Christians see others being born again, which refers to trusting in Christ and His work of Righteousness at the cross, they are very encouraged to see the enemy has lost another soul and Christ has entered into the heart and life of that Believer. We should ask ourselves if our faith and lives are allowing others to glorify God in what they see. Not glorify us, but glorifying God through what they are able to see Him doing and changing in and through us!

The Church has had more meetings, conferences, singing’s, and so called revival services, but when they were over, did our classmates, co-workers, and those we would meet in the marketplace see anything different in us? It is a very small remnant in the earth today that carries the testimony of the cross of Jesus Christ in their daily lives, but only with this faith, and this testimony does one overcome the dominating power of sin that hinders others from being able to glorify God in and through them! Come back to the cross of Christ from where ALL grace flows (Hebrews 2:9) and experience the God of ALL grace everyday (Luke 1:74-75, 1 Peter 5:10). We are not perfect, but the Light of Christ can and must be seen!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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6/20/2020

Pastor Curtis
 
Sep 3, 2016
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Bread Crumbs “Honesty” June 21

Honesty is a virtue that should be exhibited and practiced by every Bible believing Christian. To speak the truth can be a battle at times. A natural reaction is to protect ourselves by slanting the truth and making ourselves look better, Especially when we find ourselves ensnared in an awkward situation. But the Christian must realize and acquiesce to the truth that a misrepresentation of the facts, such as a half-truth, is still a lie. It does not matter how seemingly good the purpose might be. Though we might try to defend our actions, we are in violation of God’s will and God's Word. The end result will never bring us peace, safety, or satisfaction. The web of lies that we might weave to defray or diffuse a problem will never result in a proper solution of that problem. It will only increase its negative effect in both our heart and in our lives. When we misrepresent, deceive, or flat out lie about a situation to preserve or safeguard self, we are traveling contrary to scripture and we should not expect help to be forthcoming from our Heavenly Father. It would be better that we tell the truth and let God defend us with His righteous and mighty arm.

Ephesians 4:25 - Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Pastor Loren Larson
Loren Larson Ministries
 
Sep 3, 2016
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The Miracle of God’s Word

Galatians 2:1
Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

After what we read about the journey of Paul in chapter 1, we see that now some fourteen years later he goes to Jerusalem again. He made five trips to Jerusalem in all, and most are unsure about this being the trip to Jerusalem for the council meetings or due to the famine in the land (Acts 11:27-30), but more than likely because of what we read in verse 2, it was due to the revelation given to him and relayed to the Disciples in Jerusalem concerning the specifics and power of the gospel (Message of the Cross) that he was preaching to the Gentiles.

Barnabas and Titus both were with Paul for this journey, and oh what a joy it must have been to be learning the Scriptures all over again in the Light of the One who claimed to be the Light and in the context in which He became the Light to all who will believe. The wonderful Redemptive plan of God! It’s always wonderful to have co-laborers linked arm in arm along for the journey which the Lord has given each one of His people to carry His glorious gospel to the ends of the earth! When a Child of God becomes determined to stand in God’s Grace and determined to know nothing other than Christ and Him Crucified, there will be much opposition, but at the same time there will be a great quietness and assurance of soul as the peace of God flows like a river in their hearts (Isaiah 32:17)!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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6/21/2020

Pastor Curtis