Thread: Pastor Allan's Message 9112010.2

HAPPY NEW YEAR (2012)! Make and keep a resolution to improve your prayer life on 2012. It will do you good.

One spiritual resolution for 2010 is "get more active/involved" in church. To do so you must first go to church and weekly Bible study regularly. Volunteer your services. Your church needs you!

When you pray, pray from the heart. Pray earnestly. Pray ceaselessly. Pray believing. Pray trusting God. Pray in faith. Pray to the Father in heaven.

Before change can be effectively implemented, you must be aware of a better way. After all, if you are going to change for the better, you need to know what is this "better" you are seeking.

Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The most important thing about change is the change in mindset. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" speaks of a change in mindset. Do not worry, but seek first the kingdom. The kingdom replaces worry! So if you keep on worrying the kingdom cannot enter your mind and heart. Worrying is of Satan. You cannot serve two masters at the same time.

It's a new year with new resolutions to keep. You resolve to no longer seek vengeance. Remember: Those who are of God do not get satisfaction in revenge. They see forgiveness as spiritual healing. They understand the wisdom of God, and do not stand in His way. God said, "Vengeance is mine." They appreciate the fact that forgiveness is God's way to a life of peace. The truth is, God's way always works. Leave vengeance to God. Pray for peace instead.

Forgiveness shows that you have the power of the Holy Spirit operating in you, and that you have achieved a level of spiritual maturity that cannot be comprehended by those of the world around you.

Your past can be like a "millstone" around your neck that you hang there; and it is dragging you to the bottomless pit of despair. Remove the dead weight of past failures, hurts, and disappointments, and you can rise to the surface and to success.

TGIF. Be happy. Rejoice evermore. Sing praises to our heavenly Father. Pray ceaselessly. Say something nice to someone. The Lord is with you. The Lord is gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Walk by faith, only.

"Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever." We've heard what the Jesus of yesterday can do, so we have faith in Him today, and live blessed forever. Give Him thanks and praise. Peace to you.

If you feel you are in the darkest hour of your life, and all odds appear to be against you, know that you are not alone, but your Father in heaven is with you as you walk through this "valley of the shadow of death." You see, He has His "rod and staff" to comfort you as He leads you to restful waters and green pastures. So keep walking by faith. Rejoice always. Peace to you!

If we have faith in God for peace in our lives, then faith is the assurance and indisputable evidence of peace. And since we have evidence of peace, we must believe the evidence, and rejoice and be happy and not worry, as we wait for peace to manifest itself.

Remember, the just shall live by faith, and you can only get faith by hearing the Word. And it is your faith in God that enables you to overcome the lusts of the world. It is your faith in God that helps the spirit to be victorious over the flesh. So "fight the good fight of faith," and live a life of victory over the enemies of you soul. God be praised.

The good news for the day is that some who heard the word on faith on Sunday (2/12/2012) are rejoicing as they see the "things hoped for" manifest themselves in their lives. They had the evidence (faith), and believed the evidence, and now that which was hoped for is now revealed to the senses. Awesome. Walk by faith, always!

God's will, firstly, is that we have a relationship with Him through Christ. This means we must be in contact with Him through prayer, daily. We must not be conformed to this world, but renew our minds, daily. We must meditate on His word "day and night." Walk by faith.

John 15:7: "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." NKJV. Jesus did not say what you can afford. or what you cannot afford. He said what you "desire!" In developing strong faith, it is crucial to hear the word, and believe the word, and act on the word, as it is written! It is that simple. Let the Word abide in you.

As you go about your daily routine, no matter what you may encounter, keep this passage of scripture in mind. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). Let your faith in God be strong and unwavering. Keep persevering, never giving up. Have a great day!

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT). Amazing indeed! Can there be a better life on this planet than this? The short answer is "No!" With the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, what a blessed life you will live. Those words describe the kind of life you will live EVERY day. Wow. Awesome! You will always be at peace within yourself. And who does not want inner peace? How can you not have strong faith in God? Walk by faith. Enjoy your day. <Pastor Smith>