Come Ready to Hear and PRAY!!!

If you can make it many will be attending the Prayer conference in Monroe, LA hosted by Pastor Ron Brown and the House of Prayer International tomorrow Saturday August 28, 2009. Regestration starts at 8:30 and the conference starts at 9:00

Douglas Small is President and Founder of Alive Ministries: Project Pray. The ministry began as an outreach to churches and evolved to reach across denominational lines and touch whole cities. He continues that outreach through Schools of Prayer, pastors and wives events, conferences, mission outreaches, and prayer leadership training. In addition to Alive Ministries activities, Doug currently serves as the International Liaison for Prayer Ministries out of the office of the General Overseer of the Church of God. He is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God, (Cleveland, TN).

You can visit his website at http://www.projectpray.org I look forward in seeing you there…

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

Habakkuk 3:2 “O LORD, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”

I READ THIS STORY ABOUT FRANCIS ASBURY AND THOUGHT YOU WOULD ENJOY IT:

The sun was lowering and the air was like an oven when the stranger rode into town. With every step his horse kicked up little puffs of dust from the dry, powdery street. No one had seen the likes of him before. He was a stranger to these parts. no one knew for sure what to make of him. Leather creaked as he slid out of the saddle. The ground shook as the big man’s boots hit the street. He hitched his horse to the rail, looked around, stepped up on the wooden sidewalk and headed toward the saloon.

 When his lengthening shadow spilled through the swinging doors a hush fell over the     crowd. The bartender stopped pouring. The dealer stopped shuffling. The bargirls stopped smooching their marks. Even the piano fell silent. Chairs creaked, and necks craned as every eye tried to catch a glimpse of the stranger.

“Got any praying people around here?”

Those were the first words that Francis Asbury asked when he rode into a new town. “Got any praying people around here?” That’s how the Methodest became the largest and most influential Christian denomination of the 19th and early 20th century. They knew that God’s work prospered when Christians prayed.

THE LAYMAN’S REVIVAL

“WHO IS PRAYING WHERE YOU ARE?”

We can win this battle in the same way that our forefathers in the faith won theirs. But I’ve got to ask you something. “WHO IS PRAYING WHERE YOU ARE?” Where are the praying people in this place?”

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE LAYMAN’S PRAYER REVIVAL

The first startling feature was the dominance of lay leadership and the absence of the famous traveling evangelists of previous eras. The second startling feature was that it began with prayer meetings rather than preaching services. Distress over religious decline led to a stirring among religious leaders in the summer and autumn of 1857. Spontaneously, all over America, noon prayer meetings for businessmen, huge prayer gatherings of clergy, and extensive house-to-house visitation by lay people lead to a nationwide revival that some historians believe preserved us through the Civil War.

REVIVAL COMES THROUGH PRAYER

MANY OF TODAY’S EVANGELISTS HAVE IT WRONG

Many believe that revival comes through slick advertisements and extensive planning. They think you can have a revival if you can get enough billboards and posters. They act like a revival comes through buying ads on TV and radio. They treat a revival as though it was some large political campaign with God as the candidate, but revival has never come through such means. Revival has always come in answer to the prayers of God’s people.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE REVIVAL HERE?

I believe that God wants to see spiritual revival here. Why do I believe that? Because the Bible says so.

Turn in your Bible to 1 Timothy 2:1-4. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

God wants people to be saved. But he wants us to pray for them. God’s will is done in answer to prayer. That is why I say that prayer is vital to the success of any ministry.

IT’S TIME TO PRAY

According to God’s Word, it’s time for us to pray. When we begin seeking revival and winning the lost, we become involved in spiritual battle. The only way that a spiritual battle can be won is with spiritual weapons. 2 Cor. 10:4 tells us that we have the spiritual weapons which we need.

The main weapon is intercessory prayer.

In Eph.6 Paul describes the Christian’s armor. Armor is used for defensive purposes, and all of this armor is used to defend you. In verse 18, Paul describes how to go on the offensive. Our offensive weapon against the devil is prayer!

If you want to have revival, you must pray!

If you want to win souls, you must pray!

PRAYER AVAILS MUCH (James 5:16)

THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE PRAY

I want to tell you when we pray here, God moves!

When we pray here God moves in Africa.

When we pray here, God moves in India.

When we pray here, God moves all over the world.

When we pray here, God moves here!

Prayer is standing before God.

There’s a bunch of drug addicts that are going to be destroyed out of America.

There’s a bunch of homosexuals in America that are bound for hell according to God’s Word.

There’s a nephew or a son that you want saved out of that group before hand?

Have you prayed that God will get you out of the mess that you are in.

This old world is dying to go to hell!  It’s headed for destruction!

The bible says, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness. He has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” Thank God there’s power to deliver. Have you called on the name of the Lord?  Have you prayed and asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart?  Have you asked Him to save you?

“WHO IS PRAYING WHERE YOU ARE?”

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

To win this spiritual battle, you must pray!

I Just got off the phone with Kathy Jackson form Conceal Carry Magazine and she sent me the finished article that will appear in the Sep/Oct issue. I thought I would post it for a few days to let you look at it then I’m going to take it down till the magazine comes out.

As stated above I have now taken the article out of the post till the magazine gets published in the Sep/Oct issue. If you didn’t get a chance to read it you can ask me at church and I will show it to you.

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

Read Acts 9:1-6

An old song says, “Look down, look down that lonesome road; hang down your head and cry.” There are many kinds of roads . . . road of happiness, road of experience, etc. “In the way of righteousness is life; and the pathway thereof there is no death” (Proverbs 12:28).

In this life I have seen many roads, but for now lets talk about these four so here goes.

I. THE DAMASCUS ROAD—THE ROAD OF CHANGE (Acts 9:1-6)

A man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city, for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. The father hollered to his youngest son, “Billy, go get mother.”    

Some people will change when they see the light. Others change only when they feel the heat.

Comfort’s Law: Nothing is ever done until everyone is convinced that it ought to be done, and has been convinced for so long that it is now time to do something else. Principles for change:

People must have reasons for change

1. They must see the value to them of the change

2. The plan must be understood by them

3. They must be involved in the process

What a change in Paul! From persecutor to preacher, from despiser of the church to defender of the faith! The churches in Judea heard that “he which perse¬cuted us in times past now reached the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me” (Galatians 1:23, 24).

“Saul [Paul] was consenting unto Stephen’s death. . . . Great persecution against the church” (Acts 8:1).

 And “Saul . . . made havoc of the church, entering into every house,   and   healing men and women committed them to prison” (v. 3).

But Paul was changed on the Damascus Road! (2Corinthians 5:17). “I am crucified WITH Christ.” (Galatians 2:20). Paul said, “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5); but he knew!

II. THE EMMAUS ROAD—THE ROAD OF FELLOWSHIP (Luke 24:13-35)

Nowhere in the N.T. do any of the Greek words translated “fellowship” imply fun times. Rather, they talk of, “The fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (II Corinthians 8:4) as sacrificial service and financial aid. (See for example, I Timothy 6:18). Elsewhere, Paul was thankful for the Philippian believers’ “fellowship in the gospel” (Philippians 1:5), for he knew that “inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers (same word as fellowship) of my grace” (Philippians 1:7). This sort of fellowship may even bring persecution. We are to emulate Christ’s humility and self-sacrificial love (Philippians 2:5-8) through the “fellowship of the Spirit” (Phil 2:1). In some way known only partially to us, we have the privilege of knowing “the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10).

After the change, there was fellowship. “Did not our hearts burn within us . . .?” v. 32

“If we walk in the light, as he . . .” (1 John 1:7).

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

John said, “That ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). I will never forget the fellowship of the saints when I was a young Christian.

“God is faithful, by whom ye were CALLED UNTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Paul, in Galatians 2:9, said that James, Peter, and John gave him and Barnabas the “right hand of fellowship.”

III. THE JERICHO ROAD—THE ROAD OF SERVICE (Luke 10:30-37)

“A certain man . . . fell among thieves”; they took his clothes, wounded him, and left him half dead. By chance a priest came by, but passed by on the other side of the road. “A Levite . . . came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” But a certain Samaritan came by and saw him and “had compassion on him.” He did not just “pass by.” He not only “looked on him,” but he also “went to him.”

Serving Him is different from worshiping Him.

Self-righteous service comes through human effort. True service comes from a relationship with Jesus deep inside.

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. True service rests contented in hiddenness.

Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. True service is free of the need to calculate results.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry.

Self-righteous service is affected by moods and whims. True service ministers simply and faithfully because there is a need.

Self-righteous service is temporary. True service is a life-style.

Self-righteous service fractures community. True service, on the other hand, builds community.

Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and fed the 5,000.

“How God anointed Jesus …” (Acts 10:38).

We do service by witnessing, visiting the sick, and helping financially when necessary. We serve God by serving each other. A man was praying for a needy saint and said, “God, send food or send someone who has plenty or put it in somebody’s heart to help.” But God said, “What about one of those hams in your smokehouse?” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40).

IV. THE JERUSALEM ROAD—THE ROAD OF SUFFERING (Matthew 16:21)

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be [crucified].”

“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:26).

His sufferings were many. Yes, the Jerusalem Road is a road of suffering! All Christians will suffer if we choose this road. “All that will live godly in” (2 Timothy 3:12). Maturity comes through suffering!

“Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day!! (1 Corinthians 4:11-13).

The  Christian  life  is  not  all  honey  and  sugar, hammocks  and  lemonade.  Oh,  but there  is joy, immeasurable joy, in serving Jesus! Don’t believe the preachers who preach “name it and claim it.” They will tell you you can have a mansion, a Cadillac, or a Mercedes Benz, and you can always smile and laugh! NO, NO! There are heartaches, but thanks be to God, there is also happiness!

“I have suffered the loss of all. ..” (Philippians 3:8).

“If we suffer, we shall also . . .” (2 Timothy 2:12).

“After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

CONCLUSION: We must each travel that Road of Change to gain entrance to the Road of Fellowship, which in turn guides us to the Road of Service, which leads to the Road of Suffering; but if we stay on the course of this highway called “Holiness,” we will one day be ushered onto the Streets of Gold.

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

It’s been a while since my last post, but it’s good to sit down tonight and just write. I went and saw John and Lynn today and they are doing much better Just keep them in your prayers. On a side note John said bring him all the OREOS you can cause Guy keeps taking his…

James 5:7-12

A lot of your life you spend waiting.  As a little kid, I waited all my life to start school, then I couldn’t wait until I got out of school, then I couldn’t wait to fall in love, then I couldn’t wait to get married,  … we spend a lot of our lives waiting.  There are many things in life that test our patience:  freeways, supermarket lines, doctor’s offices, irritating people.  We hate to wait.

We are the Now Generation.  We do not like to wait.  Have you noticed that the more expensive the restaurant the longer you wait? There are actually five different waits when you go to a restaurant.  You wait to get a seat, then you wait to get the menu, then you wait to order, then you wait to get the food back, then you wait for the bill.  And they have the audacity to call that guy the waiter!!!

We’re going to look at what James has to say on How do you develop patience.  You need patience in every area of your life. In this passage, James uses the word “patience” or “perseverance” six times.  He uses three different illustrations to teach us when to be patient, why be patient, and how to be patient.

I.  WHEN SHOULD I BE PATIENT?

James isn’t saying we have to be patient all the time but there are three special times when you need that extra dose of patience:

1.  When circumstances are uncontrollable

Have you figured out that a lot of life is beyond your control? You cannot keep your thumb on everything.  James uses a farmer as an example of when circumstances are uncontrollable.  v. 7 “Be patient then brothers, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is …”  Don’t go into farming unless you’ve got patience.  Part of the job description of being a farmer is you do a lot of waiting:  waiting to till, waiting to plant, waiting to prune… there are a lot of factors in waiting.  Yet more than the factors of waiting on things to do are the factors that the farmer has no control over — weather, rain, heat, the economy, labor practices…  If you have a lot of faith you can be a farmer but if you don’t have a lot of faith don’t be a farmer, because it takes patience.  You deal with a lot of uncontrollable factors — circumstances — in life.

Have you noticed that even when we realize a situation is beyond our control, we still try to control it?  How do we do that?  By worrying.  We think that worry will control a situation. To worry about something you can’t change is useless. We need to have patience in uncontrollable circumstances.

2.  When people are unchangeable

When people won’t change.  When they won’t make a difference.  He gives an example of the prophets.  “As an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”  What was the duty of prophets?  To help people change, bring them back to God, to be different in their behavior.  Have you noticed that people resist change?  When you make any little tiny suggestion, they resist you!

Do you have anybody in your life right now who refuses to change? Do you know how difficult it is to live with that kind of person? We need patience with people.  James says, have patience.

James says you need to be patient when circumstances are uncontrollable and when people are unchangeable and won’t cooperate with us.

3.  When problems are unexplainable

Life is not fair!  That is true.  God never said it would be fair.  A lot of things in life just don’t make sense.  Maybe we’ll never understand on this side of heaven.  Job didn’t understand. In all of that unexplained problem, Job maintained his faith. Sometimes we just can’t figure out our problems.

When circumstances are uncontrollable, when people are unchangeable, and when problems are unexplainable you really need patience.  Why?

II.  WHY SHOULD I BE PATIENT?

1.  Because God is in control

“Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” v. 8.  Three times in this passage, James says, the Lord’s coming is near, Jesus is coming back.  That is the ultimate proof that God is in control.  Nothing can stop it.  The Bible talks more about Jesus’ second coming — when He comes back to judge the world — than it does about His first coming.

Job persevered.  God’s timing is perfect, He’s never late.  Some of you are experiencing a real delay right now but God’s delays never thwart His purpose.

2.  God rewards patience.

v. 11a “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.”  Circle “blessed”.  The second half of Job’s life was more blessed than the first half.  God doubled everything he had.  It pays to be patient.  There are all kinds of rewards. Your character grows, you get along with people better, you’re happier, and you reach your goals.  There are lots of benefits of being patient.  God rewards it.  You’ll be honored by others. They’ll say, “He’s a patient person.”

James says, the next time someone criticizes you, before you strike back, think about this, is it worth giving up the reward I’m going to have in heaven?  I’m going to enjoy that a whole lot longer than the temporary pleasure of revenge.

You need to be patient because God is in control and He’s going to reward patience.

3.  Because God is working things out

God says, “Be patient because I’m working things out.”  While I am waiting, God is working.  You need to remember that!  Your hands may be tied and the situation may be uncontrollable but it is not uncontrollable in God’s viewpoint.

In advance, thank God because He’s working things out.  He gives the illustration of the farmer.  When the farmer plants the seed, he’s waiting for that seed.  While he’s waiting, God is working behind the scenes to cause that plant to sprout.  He’s creating the conditions so at the right time, in the right way there will be a harvest.  The farmer waits, God works.

Philippians 2;13 “God is at work within you.”  Maybe you can’t see it, but He is.  Be patient.  I don’t know what kind of problem you have this week, but regardless of the problem you’re going through (financial, relational, health) God is working in that problem. Be patient and trust Him.

III.  WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WHILE I’M WAITING ON GOD?

1.  Wait expectantly

I must expect a harvest.  I must believe that it is inevitable, that I’ve done the right thing.  We get ready for the answer in advance.

Psalm 130:5 (LB) “… I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.”  Circle “expectantly”.  What are you waiting for from God?  Maybe to heal a long term illness, or to transform your marriage?  or to reverse your financial problems? or for God to reach your teenagers for Christ?  Do you really expect Him to do that?  The Bible says, “According to your faith it will be done unto you.”

A lot of times when I’m waiting on God, He’s really waiting on me.  He was ready to give the answer a long time ago but I wasn’t ready to receive it.  He’s saying, “Grow up!  Get some spiritual depth in your life.  I want to bless your life but you can’t handle the blessing I want to pour on you.  Waiting is a time to get ready.  Prepare.

Jesus waited thirty years before he began his ministry.  Thirty years of preparation and he accomplished more in three years than we would in a lifetime.

Isaiah 49:23 “The Lord says … No one who waits for my help will be disappointed.”

2.  Wait quietly

James points out the fact that we have a tendency to run off at the mouth when we’re irritated, when we’re tense, when we’re under pressure, when things aren’t going our way and things aren’t under our control.  James warns us of two things to avoid.

1.  “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”  Why does he talk about grumbling right in the middle of patience?  It’s hard to be quiet when you’re frustrated.  When you’re frustrated, you want everybody to know about it.

v. 12 “Above all, my brothers, don’t swear.”  Does waiting ever tempt you to swear?  Sometimes when people get frustrated they feel like cussing.

Lamentations 3:26 “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  Circle “quietly”.  Hab. 2:3 “These things won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!”  Do you have a dream, a goal in life, a vision that God’s given you?  God says it will be right on target, at the right time, in the right way.

You wait expectantly and you wait quietly.

3.  Wait confidently

Job never lost his confidence in all that he did.  When the outlook is bad, you look up.  Micah 7:7 “I will wait confidently for God.”  How do you do that?  You have hope.  Hope is Holding On Praying Expectantly — HOPE.

When you’ve got a problem that’s unexplainable, a person who is unchangeable, a circumstance that is uncontrollable then wait confidently.  God is working.

How do you wait confidently?  Sit still.  Don’t get nervous, anxious.  You don’t take matters into your own hands and work things out.  Ps. 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act.”

Where do you need to have patience today?

Do you have an uncontrollable circumstance in your life right now?

What do you do when you have these kinds of things?

Remember what God has said in James.  God is in control.  It may be out of my control, but it’s not out of God’s control.  Nothing is beyond His power and His purpose for my life is greater than the problem I’m experiencing right now.  God will reward your patience.

God is working behind the scenes for a purpose.

Anticipate!!!

Bishop Bryan Strickland

Judges 5:7 (KJV) The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. 

Have you ever seen a queen bee? Every now and then I catch a show on PBS on bee keeping, just so happens I saw one Saturday. Queen Bees are amazing creatures, they are literally a single parent to hundreds and even thousands of offspring!

They have a single brief flight of freedom and then spend the rest of their life inside a hive generating workers, soldiers, harvesters or pollen gatherers. Her whole task is the well being of the hive, to keep it flourishing. Her life is one of consistency, commitment, and contented living! She works without complaint, she never misses a beat, she lives for the hive, she is the ultimate mother!

Such were the likes of a woman in the Old Testament named Deborah, which in Hebrew means, "A BEE." She was like a Queen mother in Israel. Her life and testimony propelled her into leadership in Israel, a rare thing for a woman under the Old Covenant. She became a Judge in Israel. She is called in the Bible a prophetess, meaning a woman who spoke God’s Word. She is called a judge, one who settled disputes by God’s laws. She is called a wife, the wife of an unknown man named Lappidoth whose name means "torches" in Hebrew. But, she called herself simply "a mother in Israel." 5:7

Like her name, "a bee," she lived a consistent, committed, contented life, thus providing both godly leadership and a godly example that changed an entire generation of Israelites, leading a war torn nation into 40 years of peace!

One Godly MOM can make a huge difference!! Thank God for Godly moms!

Anticipate!!!

Bryan Strickland

I Just wanted to thank Bro Johnny and Bro Guy and all who made this such a great day!!! Keep up the good work. Here are some pictures of the day. Oh don,t forget to take this weeks poll. http://louisianabishop.wordpress.com

I went to get in my recliner tonight but it seems to have been taken and she (Heidi) was resting very well, so here I sit writing. It seems that there is a lot to be said about rest. Last week the Blessing of the Bikes was GREAT, but I will also say it was a stressful week as a Pastor. We all need rest, so what about this rest.

Let’s take a group quiz to see how many of us are being dragged through life. You Fill in the blanks:

I’m ready to throw in the…
I’m at the end of my…
I’m just a bundle of…
My life is falling…
I’m at my wit’s…
I feel like resigning from the human…

Apparently we’re all experiencing the rat race. Just when you thought you were getting ahead, along come faster rats. But remember, he who wins the rat race is still a rat. That also includes you Bro. Guy (insert laugh here)

We need to learn how to experience rest. If all we needed was physical rest we can always take a nap. If we needed only emotional rest, we can always take a vacation. But where can we find spiritual rest? How can we obtain relief regarding the deepest issues of life at the deepest level of our hearts.

Matthew 11:28 – 30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

This passage contains 3 commands from Jesus that lead to rest.

I will experience rest for my soul as I obey Jesus’ command of…

1. COME TO ME “Come…all…and I will give…”

Jesus regularly invited people to come to Him to meet their needs. NOTICE: What Jesus did NOT say, “Come to church to find rest” Christianity begins with meeting Christ personally. Going to McDonalds does not make you a hamburger. Going into a garage doesn’t make you a car. Going to church does not make you a Christian (you must meet Christ personally).

In Jesus Christ the full penalty has already been paid. You can begin life anew and have the page wiped clean. God did not send Jesus to rub our sins in, but to rub them out. He bore the guilt and paid the penalty, there is nothing left to pay. Come and rest in what Jesus has done for you.

2. TAKE MY YOKE (upon you)

YOKE: “a type of harness that connects a pair of oxen.” A pair of connected oxen was typically called a yoke of oxen. Used metaphorically to refer to submission to a teacher In NT times the phrase, “to take the yoke of”

The yoke of rules and religion. MANS YOKE

Acts 15:7-11 spells out the yoke of following rules and religious system to be accepted by God. This is the way most people are familiar with the idea of relating to God – through rules and religion. This is not the “my yoke” that Jesus speaks of, but the yoke of relationship is JESUS YOKE

Jesus said that His yoke is easy “well fitted.” It fits the need. Rules and religion don’t fit the need for personal relationship. His yoke is easy compared to man made religious yokes. His burden is light compared to the burden of human effort. I can imagine Jesus’ sign outside his carpenter shop, “My yokes fit well!”

Jesus commands we take up HIS yoke to find rest. There is no rest in rules and religion, but only in a personal relationship with God based on the finished work of Jesus.

Which yoke have you been under? Jesus’ or man’s? We access all that God has for us through our choices.

3. LEARN FROM ME

His third command is to learn from Him (are you open to learn?) All of us are ignorant, just on different subjects We come, take up His yoke, the process of learning begins.

Religious people can be cold and harsh, but no so with Jesus. His gentleness draws us to Him with our cares and concerns. Wouldn’t it be great to have someone you can pour out your deepest thoughts to, a gentle person who has the strength to help. We need to learn that He wants love on us.

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

Again, religious people can be arrogant and rude toward us. Pride and self-centeredness is descriptive of the Devil. The very things that turn people off from the church are the very opposite of what Jesus is really like.

Hurting, lost and weary people were drawn to Jesus because He cared for them and met their needs.

THE REST HE GIVES (FREE GIFT): Once and for all we rest in His work on the cross for us to make us acceptable to God.

THE REST WE FIND (DISCOVERY): There is no need to fear what Jesus might do in your life. He is gentle and humble. The more you learn that about Him, the more you will find your rest in Him.

Does your life feel like the ox whose pulling himself to death. Rest comes from obedience to Jesus’ commands. COME to Me, TAKE My yoke upon you, LEARN from Me.

Hebrews 4:11 So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey.

Anticipate!!!

Pastor Bryan Strickland

Is Grace Dependable? You Bet

I watched a show on Discovery a few week ago and I had this thought after watching the show, but before I get too far don’t forget to take this weeks poll on the blog!!!

A favorite attraction at Yellowstone National Park is the geyser known as Old Faithful which erupts every 67 minutes. Old Faithful is not the largest geyser, nor does it reach the greatest height. Nevertheless, it is by far the most popular geyser. Its popularity is due mainly to its regularity and dependability. You can count on Old Faithful!

Would that or could that be said of each of us? I have learned that nothing in life can take the place of dependability and faithfulness. It is one of the greatest virtues. Giftedness, intellect, competence–all take a back seat to the quality of faithfulness.

When we think of dependability, isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever?

When we read, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever we are speaking of the character of Jesus Christ and we are saying:

Jesus Christ is dependable yesterday, today, and forever!

Jesus Christ is loyal yesterday, today, and forever!

Jesus Christ is all-powerful yesterday, today, and forever!

Jesus Christ is consistent, available, faithful yesterday, today, and forever!

Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth yesterday, today, and forever!

He is the One who never wavers, never changes. His promises are for sure. His Word is dependable. He is not a man that He should lie. He is not fickle or swayed by the pressures of emotions, circumstances, or people.

So when we speak of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ of which the scripture says: “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.”; we are speaking of that which is dependable! We are speaking of that which is lasting, consistent, available…we are speaking of that which is of old and yet remains the same today. It is Grace which never fails. Dependable grace!

This is grace we need every day of our lives. Dependable grace available to us from a dependable Lord who encourages and strengthens our hearts. This grace gives us courage to stay true to Jesus and even bear reproach for His sake. And this grace prepares us and keeps us looking for the coming of our Lord.

The longer I walk with Jesus, the more aware I am of my need for grace, and the more grateful I am for the grace which I have received…the grace in which I presently stand…and the grace which will one day take me home to be forever with my Lord.

Grace reminds me that life is a gift and that the love of God given to me freely is a gift. Grace reminds me that salvation is a gift, forgiveness is a gift, and deliverance from sin is a gift. Grace reminds me that heaven is a gift and when I stand at its gates it is only by grace that I will find entrance. I have done nothing to deserve any of these gifts. It is grace, the unmerited favor of God poured out upon me.

Matthew 7:24 – 29 (TMSG) “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.  ²⁵Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. ²⁶“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.  ²⁷When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” ²⁸When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this.  ²⁹It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

You and I need something dependable upon which to build our lives. I commend to you The Solid Rock, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever!

There is dependable grace to strengthen and encourage you to build your life upon truth. You cannot build your life upon truth without grace enabling you…because lies become appealing excuses for compromise, for living by the standards of convenience and comfort. Which is living without a foundation, and the result is chaos, confusion, discontentment, and eventually the collapse of all you have built. Because unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain!

We need encouraging and strengthening grace so we can build our lives on truth.

God forgive us, and may we repent and receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

Thank God grace is found as we go to Jesus so that we might have courage to stay true to Him.

God grant us grace to be courageous for Jesus!

May our lives be firmly identified with Jesus and our lips unashamedly confess His Name!

Let us agree that our God is an ever present help in time of need. Let praise come forth from your life, for He is worthy. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever…so let’s praise Him!

And let’s be sensitive, compassionate, and generous towards others, just as the Lord has been with us. Let us be about our Father’s business. Let us do good and share.

Let us look to Jesus with praise on our lips. Let us not whine and complain our way through life like spoiled children. By His power and His grace let us be encouraged to build our lives upon truth, to be courageous for Jesus, and to be ready for His soon return.

For with such a life; a life totally dependent upon the grace of our Lord…God is pleased!

Anticipate!!!

Pastor Bryan Strickland

Today I want to talk about getting a grip on your attitude, but before I get to far don’t forget to go to the blog and take the new poll on the top right of the page.

How many of you have ever been told to get a grip on something. We are told that when things start getting out of control. It has been said that attitude determines altitude. In other words our attitude determines how far we go in life or how successful we will be. A bad or negative attitude can hinder our process. A negative like a flat tire needs to be changed.

Philippians 3:8-14

I think we need to understand that the same victorious life that was enjoyed by Paul is available to every believer. It really is possible for you and me to become mighty in spirit and experience the same triumphant lifestyle Paul experienced.

I think the secret of Paul’s victorious life was his winning attitude. He was a high achiever. The word retreat was not in his vocabulary.

He had developed the heart of a champion. In the verses we have just read, the Apostle Paul reveals his driving determination to win.

How do you Get A Grip On Your Attitude and Turn it into a winning attitude?

I. IN ORDER TO HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE YOU MUST HAVE A DISSATISFACTION.

Many in our churches today have become satisfied in their walk with God. They are no longer moving forward with God. They Just SIT, SOAK, and SOUR. Not Paul, he had a winning attitude, he knew that there was more to be gained by drawing closer to Christ.

Paul was expressing his dissatisfaction. Satisfied with salvation yes, satisfied with the progress in my walk and growth, no.

He said I made some progress, but I’m not there yet. Paul was aware of his need to go deeper in his walk with the lord.

1. Paul never permitted himself to become content or satisfied with his spiritual attainments.

2. The Paul was satisfied with Jesus. “.. . I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord….” But he was dissatisfied with his own spiritual progress.

3. The first essential to progress in the Christian life is a sanctified dissatisfaction.

4. As Christians, we often have the tendency to become too easily satisfied and content with past accomplishments.

5. Many Christians become self-satisfied because they are comparing themselves to other Christians.

6. We must learn that our standard as a Christian is not other Christians; our standard is the Lord Jesus Christ.

7. We must never be satisfied until we are “conformed to his glorious image.”

II. IN ORDER TO HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE YOU MUST HAVE DEVOTION.

This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark….”

1. Paul was devoted to one thing–serving Christ and growing in Christ.

Jesus said to the self-righteous, rich, young ruler– Mark 10:21 “. . . one thing thou lackest….

Jesus said to busy Martha– Luke 10:42 “One thing is needful. .

David said in the Psalms– Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after….”

2. Most Christians are rendered ineffective because they are involved in too many things.

Satan’s deadliest trick for keeping you from doing what God wants you to do is to distract you by getting you to do many “good things.” We must not allow ourselves to be distracted in our service to God !!!

Let’s be like Nehemiah 6:3 “. . . I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down….

III. You must have a new direction

Paul had a past life just like us. But he said I forget those things that are behind me. What was Paul really saying? He was saying I refuse to be influenced and controlled by my past.

You can’t move forward if you are always looking backwards.

1. Let me tell you the devil would like to get you to live in the past. He would like to remind you of all your past failures, sin and mistakes. The devil would like to accuse you over and over of sins of which Christ has forgiven, but don’t let the devil discourage you by accusing you of sin which Christ has forgiven !

If you have unconfessed sin in your life confess it, put it under the blood and move on. Don’t waste valuable time fretting over it confess it, repent of it and forsake it and go on with Lord Jesus.

Far too many Christians are shackled by events in the past I’ve talked to scores of people who refuse to attend church and serve God because they’ve been hurt by someone, somehow in the past. Listen–if you want to win this race you can’t live in the past. Forget those things that are behind you.

In order to have a winning attitude,

IV. You must have determination.

v. 14 Paul said “I press toward the mark…. The verb “I press” comes from a Greek word which means literally “to follow after.” a winner is one who gets into the race with a determination to win.

1. Paul had a steadfast determination

He would not quit

He would not turn back.

He would not give in.

He would not throw in the towel.

He would not slow down.

He pressed toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

2. If you want to be a winner in this race of Christianity you must have a spirit of determination.

Sometimes you have got to put some energy and effort in what you are doing for Jesus. Victory doesn’t come easy. It takes a little sweat no, let me rephrase that, It takes a lot of sweat.

In order to have a winning attitude

V. You must have Discipline Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

It takes a great deal of discipline to run this race called Christianity.

The very word means “disciplined one.” The word discipline is a foreign word to our lifestyle of instant gratification and push-button pleasures.

If we are to be winners then we must discipline ourselves to study God’s word, To pray, and to attend church.

It takes no effort or energy at all to fail. All you have to do is sit there.

Let me ask you–Do you have a winning attitude as a Christian? Do you have dissatisfaction, devotion, direction, determination and discipline?  

Could it be that the Holy Spirit is trying to get you back into the race for God? Could it be that the Holy Spirit is trying to get you to excel in the things of God?

Anticipate!!!