Godly Friendships

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” If we're easily offended or hold on to bitterness, we'll have a hard time making friends. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes now and then. If we take a truthful look at ourselves, we'll admit that we bear some of the blame when things go wrong in a friendship. A good friend is quick to ask forgiveness and ready to be forgiving. Have you been a good friend this week? Are you able to ask forgiveness where it’s needed? Pray about it friends, and then if you need to do something … then just do it!

God bless you this week. ~ Bro TJ

Encouraging Note for May 27, 2011

Rev Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, “There is no fatigue so wearisome as that which comes from lack of work.” Serving God is not a matter of option, but a matter of responsibility for all believers to take hold of and execute. In order to grow, we must remember to serve God in everything that we do, regardless of the task. The input that we receive in our hearts is God’s Grace, and the output must be what forms our testimony in service to others, for His Glory alone. Can we think of 1 person this week who might need our service? I’m sure there is more than 1 in our lives, but what kind of change could it make if we started with just 1?

May God bless you this week!! ~ Rev TJ

God's Revelation to Us

God reveals Himself throughout all of creation, so that we (as the created) would not only recognize the Creator – but give all our attention to worshipping Him. Because He is God we have a choice today to do away with ungodliness and unrighteousness, which appear to God as a direct violation of His nature, and follow Him. As we continue to study the Book of Romans, it is the responsibility of all believers to not only celebrate the Good News of Christ, but to understand that we must take a stand against the things that are against God as well; and be willing to explain them to a world in need of a Savior. I challenge you to tell someone this week who Jesus is, and what the Good News has rescued you from. It is in this telling that you will gain strength and be able to witness more for Him!

God bless you ...

Bro TJ

Encouraging Note - 7 Dec 2010

Zechariah had doubts about God’s promises, and so God had to use silencing him in order to bring him to a place of understanding and full-reliance on God. What Zechariah had to grasp was to admit that God calls EACH of us to a place of submission, and to have complete faith that when God promises … God delivers. When John was born and Zechariah confirmed his name, his speech was returned and he glorified God in his life. The challenge for us is: When God speaks into your life, do you claim His promise or do you doubt and seek to rationalize what He has said? What if God had to silence you in order to get your attention? This week, could we not grab hold of the promise of Christ, and be willing to spread it freely throughout the world? I pray that we would be so bold! In Christ’s love, Bro TJ

Encouraging Note - Nov 26, 2010

Mary pondered in her heart the calling God had placed on her life to be the mother of His Son; and from that pondering a song arose in her spirit which caused her to rejoice to the God who created her! As each of us has an opportunity to reflect this Christmas season on how God wants to use you, will you in turn rejoice that He has not only given His Son to save you, but through Jesus you have been saved for His glory! God is faithful to fulfill His promises, and we must be faithful to turn to Him in all things, and obey Him when He calls.

May God bless you this week and throughout this entire GLORIOUS season!!

~ Bro TJ

Encouraging Note, Oct 17, 2010

It is important that when we focus our attention on praising the Lord, that we are always mindful of who He is – He is our creator – He is the revealer of our faith – and He is worthy of our praise of who He is. David writes in Psalm 18:3 that he “calls upon the name of the Lord, who is worthy of praise …” In our lives, in every aspect and in everything that we do, we must take the time to acknowledge who He is, and to devote ourselves to praising His name, always. Take some time this week, and just lift up His name in praise!

May the Lord bless you as you turn your eyes upon Him! ~ Bro TJ

Encouraging Note, Oct 3, 2010

Let us remember that the life of the Believer is to be lived in servitude to God, with love for one another always. Anything less is allowing our own flesh to rise up and decide who we serve, which leads us into disobedience to Jesus’ commandment in John 9:12, “My command is this, love each other as I have loved you.” This week friends, we must take time to remember that loving one another is not only a commandment, but the only effective way to minister the Gospel to one another. Ephesians 4:32 is our focus verse today and I encourage you to not only read it but allow God to work it into your hearts. May God bless you always, Bro TJ.

Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Encouraging Note for the Week of Aug 29, 2010

As believers, each of us has a price to pay when it comes to following the Lord. It is a price to deny ourselves, to follow Christ, and to exalt Him to each and every person that we come in contact with. Because of the sacrifice Christ performed on the cross, we must be willing to lift up the name of Jesus and show what He has done in our lives. For the Believer, the true cost of being a disciple will be to totally deny ourselves, and follow Him completely. At the end of the day, can you and I say that we have done that? If not, we must seek to walk closer to Him every day, depending solely on Him, else we cannot call ourselves true disciples. Follow Jesus my friends, and you will never go wrong!

God bless you.

- Bro TJ

Encouraging Note for the Week of July 18, 2010

Sharing this week's encouraging note from our church bulletin:

The King of Assyria (ref Isaiah, Chapter 10:5-30) struggled with many different idols, but one of the primary ones was his ability to trust fully in himself rather than the God that was calling out to him. As each of us has opportunity this week to take into account our own lives, would we have the courage to look to God as the sole provider for everything we need? Would we seek the Lord and render our hearts 100% submissive to His will? Friends, if we are ever to change our nation it is going to have to start with our lives. Let us return to God, totally, and allow His guidance to lead us in everything.

God bless you!

- Bro TJ