A Harvest of Righteousness

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

I am humbled from time to time that God uses us but did you know that He uses not just our talents but our discipline? For some know this in their theology and view of God but we have to be reminded while we are being sharpened by the Lord. The righteousness for which He has called us has to come from those times when He sits us down and reminds us where we once were without Him. That discipline brings focus maybe even a re-focus. What we focus on, we will improve. This happens everyday with skills, abilities and gifts that we all have. Give that "thing" enough time and you will be good at it. This includes sin. But God is interested in bringing forth a harvest (reward) for you on the other side of your training in discipline. I like that. Your discipline is training. It's not God scolding you for no reason or even mad at you. It's your heavenly father loving you back into place.

Let His hand guide you into righteousness today. Dont be content with where you are in your walk.

The Christmas Ten Commandments

The Christmas Ten Commandments
(a post by Tim Satryan - Thanks for sharing brother. More at www.wfa.org)

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.

Merry Christmas!

10 Things You Never Hear in Church

Something to make you smile from my brother Kea. Thanks man.

10 Things You Never Hear in Church

1. Hey! It's MY turn to sit on the front pew!
2. I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes.
3. Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
4. I've decided to give our church the $500.00 a month I used to send to TV preachers.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.
6. Forget the denominational minimum salary: let's pay our pastor so s/he can live like we do.
7. I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
8. Since we're all here, let's start the worship service early!
9. Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!

Trust

Trust God today: Make a molehill out of a mountain!

Jeremiah 17:5-8

5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.

6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives.

7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.

“There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out
upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts his foot down he finds a rock
beneath him.”

— F. B. Meyer

Delight From the Lord is Better

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
— Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)

He is with you!

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
— Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

“Our circumstances are not an accurate reflection of God's goodness. Whether life is good or bad, God's goodness, rooted in His character, is the same.”

— Helen Grace Lescheid

GOD BELONGS IN OUR CITY! -- DONT LEAVE YOUR POST.

For all my NY, NJ, CT friends, and who follow and keep up with us in this ministry, here is a taste for all who are coming and something to pray about:

Eccl 10:4 NIV
"If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post;calmness can lay great errors to rest."

We cannot panic when the world around us struggles and wavers. God never does. We must always remember that the peace of God didn't come from the world, nore can they take it. In addition, we were not designed to follow the world's secular leadership. Do not even think for a moment that any one organization or person is above the obedience God is due. This nation is under moral attack and who better to defend this world from itself but those that know and put their trust in God. The world as a people are not our enemy. The world as a system and state of conviction is. We obey and follow laws but God's laws always override the standards and influences of this fallen world. We follow the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Whatever you do fellow believers, don't leave your post! God has called us to do a great work. Never give up and never leave the assignment he has called you to!

“Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.” — P.T. Forsyth

HUGE rally tonight at Crossway Church in the Bronx on Bruckner Blvd. Doors open 5:00 pm and seating is limited. Come and see what God is doing with this generation!