Life for many people is frustrating. They expend a lot of effort trying to achieve results or work toward a goal, and seemingly all that effort yields no results. We strive and search for things and live the best that we can but often, despite all our efforts, we do not attain the joy, happiness and peace that we desire. Our text offers a key to dealing with these futile feelings. Paul leads with a strong statement: Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Paul put this in for a reason. He was calling to the forefront that we have to deal with the realities of life. Often our frustrations are the results of out trying to take a shortcut around the principles of life. We cannot blame others, it is our own actions that cause this frustration. Paul outlines one of the most profound principles in scripture: That what a man sows, that shall he also reap. All of the things that we want: the favor, the blessing, the joy, the happiness are in our hands. The key that will unlock the door to all these things is in our hand. We don’t like that. We like to blame others: “My marriage is not better because of my wife.” “I could worship God better if it wasn’t for ….” We love to be able to say “It’s not my fault” The key is not in someone else’s hand, it it is in our hands. It is too easy to blame the messes in life on others, but the truth is that often the mess that is there is because of us. The intimation in our text is that if we plant apple seeds, we will get apples. If we go through life sowing a particular seed, we cannot expect that we will get a different crop? The question becomes, what are we sowing? If we are reaping discontent, and anger, we have to look at what we are sowing. We have to quit blaming what has gone wrong in our life, and look at what we are planting. The key to everything we desire; peace, joy, blessing happiness, is to look at what kind of seed we are sowing.

In addition what is in the bag, it matters where we sow it. Jesus told the parable about the seed being sown on four different types of ground, the hard ground, the shallow ground, the weed infested ground and the good ground. The place where we sow the seed it just as important as the seed we are sowing. We have to invest our efforts in the good soil in order to reap the crop we desire.

Finally there is one more principle that is in our control. They key to what we want is found in the amount we are willing to invest. If we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. We want to God to give us His best, but we are not willing to give Him our best. It does not matter how much we pour into living for God, He will return that back many times over. Many people struggle with their spiritual life, because they limit what they give to God.

Life for many people is frustrating. They expend a lot of effort trying to achieve results or work toward a goal, and seemingly all that effort yields no results. We strive and search for things and live the best that we can but often, despite all our efforts, we do not attain the joy, happiness and peace that we desire. Our text offers a key to dealing with these futile feelings. Paul leads with a strong statement: Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Paul put this in for a reason. He was calling to the forefront that we have to deal with the realities of life. Often our frustrations are the results of out trying to take a shortcut around the principles of life. We cannot blame others, it is our own actions that cause this frustration. Paul outlines one of the most profound principles in scripture: That what a man sows, that shall he also reap. All of the things that we want: the favor, the blessing, the joy, the happiness are in our hands. The key that will unlock the door to all these things is in our hand. We don’t like that. We like to blame others: “My marriage is not better because of my wife.” “I could worship God better if it wasn’t for ….” We love to be able to say “It’s not my fault” The key is not in someone else’s hand, it it is in our hands. It is too easy to blame the messes in life on others, but the truth is that often the mess that is there is because of us. The intimation in our text is that if we plant apple seeds, we will get apples. If we go through life sowing a particular seed, we cannot expect that we will get a different crop? The question becomes, what are we sowing? If we are reaping discontent, and anger, we have to look at what we are sowing. We have to quit blaming what has gone wrong in our life, and look at what we are planting. The key to everything we desire; peace, joy, blessing happiness, is to look at what kind of seed we are sowing.

In addition what is in the bag, it matters where we sow it. Jesus told the parable about the seed being sown on four different types of ground, the hard ground, the shallow ground, the weed infested ground and the good ground. The place where we sow the seed it just as important as the seed we are sowing. We have to invest our efforts in the good soil in order to reap the crop we desire.

Finally there is one more principle that is in our control. They key to what we want is found in the amount we are willing to invest. If we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. We want to God to give us His best, but we are not willing to give Him our best. It does not matter how much we pour into living for God, He will return that back many times over. Many people struggle with their spiritual life, because they limit what they give to God.

Young children are given coloring sheets with pictures to be colored. The instructions are usually to stay within the lines. In the younger years, we give children projects with guides and limits. As they grow, they are given assignments with less restrictions. Sometimes we give children blank pieces of paper and allow them the freedom to create and let their minds flow. We want people to grow and succeed. We want to encourage budding artists, but in their younger years, we restrict small children to stay within the lines. In our text, God tells Moses that wherever the soul of their feet touched, He would give them that land. He did not place a limit on His blessing. God told Moses to wander far and wide and that He would give them all that land to possess. The world is open to explorers today. Bro. Long tells our graduates tonight that they can accomplish all that they want as long as they can dream it. We can stick to coloring pages within the lines. We can listen to the critics and stay within the restrictions that those critics place on us, or we can take what has been given and make life’s masterpieces. Take what God has given and make something wonderful with it.

Young children are given coloring sheets with pictures to be colored. The instructions are usually to stay within the lines. In the younger years, we give children projects with guides and limits. As they grow, they are given assignments with less restrictions. Sometimes we give children blank pieces of paper and allow them the freedom to create and let their minds flow. We want people to grow and succeed. We want to encourage budding artists, but in their younger years, we restrict small children to stay within the lines. In our text, God tells Moses that wherever the soul of their feet touched, He would give them that land. He did not place a limit on His blessing. God told Moses to wander far and wide and that He would give them all that land to possess. The world is open to explorers today. Bro. Long tells our graduates tonight that they can accomplish all that they want as long as they can dream it. We can stick to coloring pages within the lines. We can listen to the critics and stay within the restrictions that those critics place on us, or we can take what has been given and make life’s masterpieces. Take what God has given and make something wonderful with it.

Of all the influences in life, there is perhaps no one greater than the influence of a mother. Good or bad, the power of the potential of a mother’s influence cannot be understated. The things that Thomas Edison invented revolutionized our life and have lasting effects even today. As a boy, the school masters thought him to be unteachable. His mother knew better. She had words with the masters and took him home to educate him. Thomas would later look back at that encounter as the time that his mother made him. Her confidence led him to realize that of which he was capable and drove him to accomplish all the things that he did. As a woman, the potential and possibilities of the influence in her children's lives can have world changing results. Our world tells women to do something important, but the bible tells us that mothers are important just in fulfilling their role as a wife and mother. In our text, there is no mention of Timothy’s father. About all that is known of Timothy’s father is that he was a Greek. He appears to have had little or no influence in his life. The bible is quite clear that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a great influence. They were instrumental in the raising of a man who would be the pastor of the early church in Ephesus. Lois and Eunice passed along a faith that would reach thousands. They taught a courage to face life, and a love for others that is exemplified in scripture over and over. These two ladies made a decision that whatever challenges they had faced in their lives, they were not going to pass those along to the next generation. They invested something in him that has lasting effects even to today. A mother’s influence can change the world.

Of all the influences in life, there is perhaps no one greater than the influence of a mother. Good or bad, the power of the potential of a mother’s influence cannot be understated. The things that Thomas Edison invented revolutionized our life and have lasting effects even today. As a boy, the school masters thought him to be unteachable. His mother knew better. She had words with the masters and took him home to educate him. Thomas would later look back at that encounter as the time that his mother made him. Her confidence led him to realize that of which he was capable and drove him to accomplish all the things that he did. As a woman, the potential and possibilities of the influence in her children's lives can have world changing results. Our world tells women to do something important, but the bible tells us that mothers are important just in fulfilling their role as a wife and mother. In our text, there is no mention of Timothy’s father. About all that is known of Timothy’s father is that he was a Greek. He appears to have had little or no influence in his life. The bible is quite clear that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a great influence. They were instrumental in the raising of a man who would be the pastor of the early church in Ephesus. Lois and Eunice passed along a faith that would reach thousands. They taught a courage to face life, and a love for others that is exemplified in scripture over and over. These two ladies made a decision that whatever challenges they had faced in their lives, they were not going to pass those along to the next generation. They invested something in him that has lasting effects even to today. A mother’s influence can change the world.

Burkina Faso is a french speaking country of 17 million people in West Africa. It is about half the size of Texas. In this densly packed country, there are 13 UPCI churches.

Zack and Jen Sportsman are missionaries appointed to this work. Tonight, Bro. and Sis. Sportsman bring us details about their work in Burkina Faso as well as a timely message about listening to the whisper of God born of his own experience.

The Whisper of God

Our world and our culture is crowded with distractions and opportunities to focus our attention on other things. Technology and constant information updates can drown the small voice of God and what He has to say to us. We need to hear God speaking to us; not just in church, but as we go about our daily lives on our jobs, in schools and in the grocery stores. God uses us to reach people. God places people in our lives for a reason, and it is logical to believe that we are placed into other’s lives for a divine purpose. Bro. Sportsman shares a story of how he came to know the Lord by a divine encounter with a friend who listened to the small voice of God.

Burkina Faso is a french speaking country of 17 million people in West Africa. It is about half the size of Texas. In this densly packed country, there are 13 UPCI churches.

Zack and Jen Sportsman are missionaries appointed to this work. Tonight, Bro. and Sis. Sportsman bring us details about their work in Burkina Faso as well as a timely message about listening to the whisper of God born of his own experience.

The Whisper of God

Our world and our culture is crowded with distractions and opportunities to focus our attention on other things. Technology and constant information updates can drown the small voice of God and what He has to say to us. We need to hear God speaking to us; not just in church, but as we go about our daily lives on our jobs, in schools and in the grocery stores. God uses us to reach people. God places people in our lives for a reason, and it is logical to believe that we are placed into other’s lives for a divine purpose. Bro. Sportsman shares a story of how he came to know the Lord by a divine encounter with a friend who listened to the small voice of God.

Tonight, Bro. Hughes continues his series on The Keys. Keys can unlock things or they can secure things for safekeeping. If we have the key not only do we have the power to open something, we have the authority. If we have a key to a house or building, we have the authority to enter. When we have the key, we belong. As children of God, we have the key to the spiritual freedom and liberty we need. The text from Thessalonians contains three simple phrases that are keys to Life Transformation. This morning, Bro. Hughes listed the first key to a transformational life as rejoice evermore. When we turn our life into worship and praise no matter if things are going well or if they are not, we put ourselves into a place where God can bless us. The second verse is to pray unceasingly. This does not imply that we spend all our time on our knees in “prayer.” What Paul meant in this verse was to treat prayer like it is the air. It becomes the atmosphere where we live. We may not be on our knees, but our heart is occupied with the Lord and His will. Atmosphere can refer to a mood, and prayer can transform our mood to one that is always mindful of God. Not only the mood, prayer changes the tone of life. When we live a life of prayer, God can tune things to sound better. Atmosphere can also refer to pressure. A life of continuous prayer regulates the pressure in life. The last key that Paul writes is “in all things, give praise.” Maintain a spirit of gratitude no matter what. The only thing that can mend a hard heart is a spirit of gratitude. Too many get mired in the seasons of life and when things get tough, they forget to be grateful. The spirit of gratitude will release the band from around our heart. These three simple points are the keys to a life transformation.

Tonight, Bro. Hughes continues his series on The Keys. Keys can unlock things or they can secure things for safekeeping. If we have the key not only do we have the power to open something, we have the authority. If we have a key to a house or building, we have the authority to enter. When we have the key, we belong. As children of God, we have the key to the spiritual freedom and liberty we need. The text from Thessalonians contains three simple phrases that are keys to Life Transformation. This morning, Bro. Hughes listed the first key to a transformational life as rejoice evermore. When we turn our life into worship and praise no matter if things are going well or if they are not, we put ourselves into a place where God can bless us. The second verse is to pray unceasingly. This does not imply that we spend all our time on our knees in “prayer.” What Paul meant in this verse was to treat prayer like it is the air. It becomes the atmosphere where we live. We may not be on our knees, but our heart is occupied with the Lord and His will. Atmosphere can refer to a mood, and prayer can transform our mood to one that is always mindful of God. Not only the mood, prayer changes the tone of life. When we live a life of prayer, God can tune things to sound better. Atmosphere can also refer to pressure. A life of continuous prayer regulates the pressure in life. The last key that Paul writes is “in all things, give praise.” Maintain a spirit of gratitude no matter what. The only thing that can mend a hard heart is a spirit of gratitude. Too many get mired in the seasons of life and when things get tough, they forget to be grateful. The spirit of gratitude will release the band from around our heart. These three simple points are the keys to a life transformation.