Project Encouragement

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, And shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Have you ever looked up and noticed window washers at work on a skyscraper? Why do you suppose they can work so confidently suspended so high above the ground? They are secure because they know that their safety harnesses are fastened to the building itself and their harnesses will hold even if the platform should fall.

Your life can be lived on the edge, with confidence like that. When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, He becomes our safety and our security. Because of Him, we can risk living life to the fullest and be all that we were created to be. He keeps us secure, even though life is often insecure, even though we get disappointed, even though the bottom falls out.

How about you? Do you have security for today, no matter what challenges and dangers you face? How about tomorrow?

Why not try living life with Christ one day at a time for a life that's secure and yet full of excitement?

Joshua 1:7 KJV

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass

Corporate downsizing. Rebellious teenagers. An unfaithful spouse. A devastating illness. Life often brings trouble our way. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed, we struggle to merely stay afloat. Difficulty during times of trouble should come as no surprise to students of the Bible. Jesus Christ said in John 16:33, "In this world you will have problems." That doesn't sound like a very optimistic outlook. However, He goes on to say, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Now, that message is positive indeed. Trouble. Difficulty. These things are a reality in this life. Jesus Christ promises us that He has provided victory over those things which cause us so much pain. Trusting in Him is the key to overcoming these problems.

Why not evaluate your present struggles from a Biblical perspective - from Christ's perspective? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Doubts About God

Luke 8:25

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Do you ever have doubts about God?

Most people do. Let me share with you what has caused me the most doubt through the years--the first four words of the Bible: "In the beginning God." For, I wonder, how could God always exist? Where did He come from? What did He do before creation?

But "In the beginning God" also enriches my faith. For the Bible also says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word became flesh." The Word is Jesus Christ and because of Jesus' life, I can see what God is like. Because of His death I can see and experience His love. Because the evidence of His resurrection is overwhelming, I can believe in God's power to do anything.

If Jesus rose from the dead, I can live with the questions I can't understand about God--like Him always existing--because He is God and I'm not. We all have doubts about God, but Jesus is the reason I can believe in God.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Born Twice

There is a longing within everyone to be a part of a loving family that lasts. In a world of fractured marriages and dysfunctional families, that longing becomes greater. No matter what type of family we're from, God gives all of us a chance to be part of the only family that lasts. We had no choice on our earthly family but we do have a choice on entering God's family through faith.

Jesus calls this spiritual birth being "born again." We all have a physical birthday, but not all of us have a spiritual birthday, which comes when we accept God's invitation to trust in Christ as Lord and Savior. With no spiritual birth, we die twice--physically and spiritually. But, with a spiritual birth, we die just once (physically), for our spirit lives forever.

Born once, we die twice. Born twice, we die once.

If we're born twice, we're saved from spiritual death and we're in the family of God forever.

Psalm 147:11 KJV

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his mercy.

If I had to this episode it would be Self Made Man and the scriptures i want to use is Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. There is no such thing as a self-made man. It's an American myth. The fact is we are all indebted to someone.

Think about it. Most of you were born in America. Did you have any part in that decision? Did you write the Constitution that guarantees you freedom to live and work where you choose? Did you have anything to do with our nation's abundant natural resources?

What about the people that helped you along the way: a relative, a teacher, a coach, a friend, or a mentor. The fact is no one can really call himself or herself self-made. We are all indebted to someone.

I urge you to take a few moments to say thanks to someone who has encouraged you along the way through a phone call, a note, or a visit. When you do, don't forget your Maker who has allowed you to be a part of this land we call America, the land of the free and the land of opportunity. God has blessed us through our land, and for that, we can be forever grateful.

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

If I had to tile this episode it would be professing to be one thing while being another. If you've been to China in the last few years, you know they have embraced capitalism with a passion while still professing to be communist. But professing to be one thing and doing another is not unique to communism in China. It's the case for many who call themselves Christians and yet live the way they want to live.

A recent Gallup poll found 72% of Americans believe that Jesus was the Son of God, yet 80% felt each individual should arrive at his or her own beliefs independent of any church. Now those two stats show a huge disconnect between belief and practice, between professing faith and living it. It's called hypocrisy and it's the number one reason people outside the church say they have no interest in Christianity.

Whether you're a communist or a Christian, practice what you preach--or at least have the integrity to call yourself something else. Actions reveal what you really believe, no matter how much you profess what you are.

so, today I want to encourage someone if you claim to be a Christian practice it, let the world know about Jesus, Let them see the light in you. Before I leave I want to pray for you. Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus Father, I pray that we will be a light upon a hill and we will practice what we preach. Father, I pray that we will show this lost and dying world that there is hope and Father I pray if there is someone that dont know you today as their savior that they will come to know you as their savior and Father I ask these prayers up to you in Jesus Name, Amen

til next time God Bless You

Psalm 9:10

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Luke 14:16-24

16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Excuses we use

#1 Everyone is doing it

#2 Times Have Changed/ The Bible Isnt Relevant to Todays Time

#3 It Doesnt Matter What You Believe as Long as You Are Sincere

#4 I Dont Understand it

#5 I will Put Off Getting Saved Until Later /There More Living To Do

#6 I am Just Too Bad

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

#1) Love is God

#2) Love Gives

#3) Love is Blind and Unconditional 

#4) Love Brings Life

Isaiah 43:19 

Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

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1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long?

4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.

5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.

9 The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

Psalm 13

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 how long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me

Psalm 13

1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 how long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me

Todays Text:

1 Samuel 28:19

Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.