The Open Word (Audio)

In the race of life, what are you running towards? Are you stopping along the way to enjoy financial success or to pursue a worldly goal? If you’ve committed your life to Jesus then your goal should be obedience. If you’re in obedience you won’t veer off track. For some a minor diversion can lead to abandonment of the goal altogether. Enduring in this world while living a righteous life can be exhausting, but in the end nothing will matter but what you’ve achieved for Him.

Have you ever heard someone quote the words, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me”? Perhaps you’ve said them yourself. When Paul spoke those words he was in prison. When you seek the Lord for His will to be done, make sure it is with the understanding that He will put you where He needs you. If His will takes you out of your comfort zone, you’ll still find joy. He provides a “peace that passes all understanding” and fills the hearts of those that believe in Him.

We all have friends and family that have not turned their lives over to Jesus. For some reason or another they refused to put their faith and trust in Him. But remember believer we are not to lose hope. If they are still above the ground and breathing there is still time. So be diligent in sharing the truth with them and love. The best way to do that is live it out in your own life. Apply the word of God to your heart. Allow His work of grace to produce good fruit for all to see.

The scriptures teach us that our heavenly Father is powerful and mighty. He goes before us. He is our shield and our ever present help in time of need. He is given us His word. He is given us His commandments. And while keeping them does not save us, they are still good for us. When we abide by the word of God and when we walk with His commandments, we are protected. We receive blessings. So, why wouldn’t you want to do what He says? Why wouldn’t you want to follow the God you claimed to believe in?

The last time you were with us Pastor David talked about all the evil that is present in this world, and day after day it seems that the wicked continue to get away with their deeds. But there is coming a time when the righteous Judge of the universe will rain down judgment upon those that have chosen to walk in opposition to His loving instructions. God doesn’t want any to perish but sadly there will be those that reject His free gift of salvation.

It’s easy to watch the news and become discouraged. It seems that no matter where we turn there’s bad news, murders, wars, people dying, starvation. When we see these things it’s not hard to begin questioning God, “Why are You allowing these things to happen, God?” Today we’ll learn that God cannot be blamed for the terrible things that take place in this world. In fact, those that are and will continue to reject God are the ones to be blamed, those choosing to walk in opposition to God’s word.

There are people all over the world who are being used by the enemy. They themselves have been deceived and now they are being used to deceive others. But don’t let yourself be one of them. Make sure you study God’s word for yourself. Have a real and growing relationship with Him. Allow His Spirit to lead and guide you. Continue in His work of His grace. Take a stand for the truth and don’t compromise. Understand that the scriptures are the only source of absolute truth. That’s where you need to draw from.

In today’s message we will be given a warning. A warning against the deception of “False Teachers.” Understand that there are still wolves in sheep clothing today. There are still people out there that are being used by Satan to confuse, steal and kill. So, how can we be sure that we’re not one of those who are being deceived? Well, it’s pretty simple. Make sure that hold everything you see and hear up to the word of God. If it lines up it’s of Him. If it doesn’t it’s from the enemy.

In today’s message Pastor David will share with us an important truth that the very grace that saved us will also maintain and empower us but that’s only if we allow the work of grace to continue in our lives. We can’t do this alone. In the flesh we can’t accomplished the things of God, we need to be empowered by His grace. We need to be sustained by His love. And as we are, we can turn around and minister to others and the things He has blessed us with.

Pastor David will reminds us today of the hope we have in Jesus. First of all we have to remember where we came from. We were born with a sin disease. We were lost and dying. But because of what our Messiah did we can now spend eternity with our heavenly Father. How wonderful! Because of God’s love for us, He made a way for us to be forgiven. Shouldn’t we go out and boldly share this message of hope with others? Shouldn’t they know about the joy that resides in us?