Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 31, 2018 at 03:19AM

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via IFTTT Hanging on every word. Hungry people, tired of man's wisdom, craving the real truth word by word. What a picture! This is what church should be. Do you sit on the edge of your seat in church, anxiously waiting for one more little morsel of truth to fill your soul? Is there a deep unquenchable hunger for more? Is there disappointment when time is over and you must leave the life giving waters of truth? If not, ask why! How can the truth and power of the universe not excite and feed us? There can be at least two reasons... 1) you are not seeking truth for the sake of knowing wisdom. If your own heart is not right, you will not perceive the truth and will just hear words. 2) there is no anointing on the words being spoken.without Holy Ghost anointing there is just man's wisdom, empty and shallow, unsatisfying. If the first one is the case, hit your knees and repent! This is serious! A casual attitude, a lack of desire for truth at all costs is what nailed Jesus to the cross. Religion... Empty words, rules, and procedures. No... Come alive inside! Seek God to cleanse your heart and give you a deep hunger for understanding and wisdom. Only the Holy Spirit can change this in you. Submit to His work in your heart and get hungry! If the second one is the case, seek God's guidance on what to do. Are you to stay and be the light? Are you to stay and confront / guide the ones speaking empty words? Are you to leave and seek depth elsewhere? Only God knows. Don't assume you need a different church, maybe YOU are the light! Start shining! Whatever the case, seek God's path for you so you can be content and grow. It is a beautiful thing to sit with an open heart and absorb the words of a Holy God who created and loves you. So deep is the peace, the conviction, the satisfaction. Nothing compares. The words of God, life itself, feeds the soul in unspeakable ways. In his gospel, John calls Jesus "the word". Very fitting. Words bring truth, truth brings liberty and life. Hang on the words of Jesus and be filled.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 28, 2018 at 03:03AM

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via IFTTT The price of missing it. God is patient, long suffering, yes. But there is always a time limit. The israelites missed the opportunity and spent a generation in the desert. The world missed the warnings of the flood and perished. Sodom and Gomorrah missed the call to repent and burned. So many stories of God's patience coming to an end with grave consequences. We like to concentrate on the patience, and ignore the reality that there is in fact an end. There is a day of reckoning coming when it will be too late. Jerusalem passed that day here, and was destroyed. Israel was looking for a Messiah to be a military leader and free them from Rome. Their eyes were on this world, on government. Jesus came and they missed the truth because they were looking on Earth, not Heaven. The end result was not the freedom as a nation, but total destruction. There is a price! Where are our eyes? Are we engrossed in the same search for salvation through government? Are we more concerned with the dealings of man and this life, or God and Heaven? Are we doing the same as Israel? Are we missing it? I am sorry to say, yes. As a nation we are repeating the age old mistakes, trusting in the arm of man to save us in this life. But just as in Israel, a powerful move of God is underway! Right now a remnant of dedicated, truth seeking, faithful servants is rising. Their eyes are not on deceitful selfish man, but on God. This remnant is not about politics, not about military might, not about government at all. It is about hearts and heaven. Sure those things positively touch politics, but that is not the focus! In fact, it is getting our eyes off this world and onto Jesus that affords the freedom to leave the "lessor of two evils" death spiral and find peace. Politics becomes simple, not fearful. Our focus becomes changing hearts, not laws, and then laws change. Jerusalem missed their opportunity. They had Jesus in their town. Walking those streets, and they preferred a political /military leader. How sad. They had access to everything and chose nothing. Then, the play was over, the curtains closed, all that was left was the price to pay. You have a choice today. Become part of the remnant, or part of the crowd. Put your eyes on Heaven or on Earth. Choose this day whom you will follow, because tomorrow may be too late.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 27, 2018 at 03:09AM

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via IFTTT The glory of a holy God. Too great for man to fathom. When the glory of God comes to earth, things change. The creation is overwhelmed by the purity and power of the creator. Throughout history there is story after story of God's glory on Earth. Moses on the mountain, the completion of the Temple, the fire from heaven that consumes, the tongues of fire at Pentecost, the transfiguration of Jesus, and on and on. But, God is not a showman. Unlike Hollywood, God does not seek to entertain us with flashy shows and effects. In fact, it's not about us at all! It's about Him! As Jesus rode into Jerusalem here to begin the last chapter of conquering death and sin, the glory of God fell. People started crying out in praise and song. They were overcome with the call of God to recognize His glory. Jesus says that the same glory would make even the rocks cry out if man failed to. But our God prefers to touch our hearts than to put on a flashy show of rocks responding to His glory. His desire is to work through man, through you. This is a touching, motivating and critical message here. God could do it without you, but He wants to use you! Imagine being so overcome with the magnificence of God's glory that you can not keep silent. You can't be shy, can't hold back, you are compelled from within to cry out in God's presence. Imagine. Or better yet, LIVE IT! Wait before God, to see His glory. Moses did, and God granted it. It is very real, and very overwhelming. In God's glory all fear is gone. No darkness can survive. Everything not of God disappears in the light of His Majesty. Then go forth as the ambassador who has seen the King. Walk with confidence but no fear. Nothing can compare, nothing can stand against God's glory. Answer the call to walk in the glory of God. How sad if He had to bypass us, His children, and rely on rocks. He wants you! Be the light! Speak truth, seek holiness. Love.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 25, 2018 at 10:50AM

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Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 25, 2018 at 06:08AM

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via IFTTT A GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS REMINDER! David Wilkerson (1931-2011) December 25, 2018 The manger in Bethlehem speaks directly to the resurrection of Christ! He was fully human at birth — Mary’s blood nourished him in the womb — but his birth was a breaking forth of the eternal. We read: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16). The light referred to here was eternal life — resurrection from death. Hosea prophesied the coming Messiah: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction!” (Hosea 13:14). When Jesus came into the world, he fulfilled this prophecy, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Jesus asks, “Do you know why I am here? Do you know why I was born into poverty, the shepherds adored me, the wise men brought gifts, and the angels sang that night? It is so that you can have eternal life.” Yes, Jesus himself connects his birth to the resurrection: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me … And this is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38-40, emphasis added). Resurrection life is already available to us — in this life. We have this promise: “As Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Let’s keep resurrection in mind as we celebrate Christmas this year. Let the image of the manger be a bridge — Christ bridging the abyss between earth and heaven and giving us eternal life with our redeemer. What a glorious Christmas reminder!

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 24, 2018 at 03:17AM

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via IFTTT Christmas Eve. The day before the big event. Like the moment before a glorious dawn, the breath before birth, the anticipation of a flower bursting open into beauty. The day before. On this day before the entry of God into our world as one of us, it would be wise to hear and heed these words from the wilderness. "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" Do we dare celebrate the birth of the saviour with any selfishness, unbelief, stubborn will, hidden sin still within our hearts? How can we celebrate light while holding into darkness? No! First make the paths straight, ready yourself, repent! Repent of what? That is what you must seek God about. What is left within you that you don't see? Have you still any self ambition? Any bad habits? Any selfish thoughts? Are your feelings still important? Have you left a hurt in someone? Do you still live by what makes you happy? Do you spend money without seeking God? Do you harbour resentment to one who hurt you? Do you enjoy the pleasures of fun, food, friends more than presence of God? Have you spent more time with a tv or a Bible this week? Have you put yourself above anyone else? Anyone? Sin! All of it! "Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God". "Be holy, even as you Father in heaven is holy". "Avoid the very appearance of evil". How do we prepare for Christ's birth? Fall on our face before God and cry out in anguish over our deceitful rebellious sinful heart! Ask God to reveal that darkness within, that part we ignore but still coddle, the stuff that keeps us from walking like Peter. After Pentecost the mere shadow of Peter touching the sick would bring healing. Does your shadow touch others with Gods presence and power? Why not? Sin. Repent! Before we celebrate, see the wretch that you are, to feel just how amazing that grace is. Get alone with your saviour and let Him reveal to you what He will. Let Him prepare you through true submission. Lay it all down at the cross. Give your life to Him. All of it. Ask Him to expose and cleanse what you have been holding back. As the rich man asked "what do I still lack?". As Jesus answered that day, so He will answer you today, if you truly want to hear. God can do anything, even clean out that darkness still in your soul. What better birthday gift to the One who died for you, than to give Him what you have held back. Be clean this Christmas season, experience all God has for you. Make straight the way of the Lord, for the Kingdom is upon us!

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 22, 2018 at 03:58AM

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via IFTTT Are you more obviously a child of Heaven on Sunday morning or on Friday night? Jesus spent His week with the lost. With sinners. At places good people rarely go, with people that were shunned by society. Jesus spent time with the lowest sinners of His day. But not "partying" with them, not identifying with them, not even doing business with them, no... Jesus was The Light for them. Jesus ran to the darkness with the light. The church, it criticised Jesus. The people of the church lived inside the church. They were not light to the world, they were darkness. They praised themselves for being better than the lowly sinners of the world, and hid themselves within church walls. What does your Friday night look like? Are you the light shining in the dark world? See, there are at least two ways to be darkness as those in this scripture story were: 1. If you stay in church. If you never go into the world, you are not bringing the light to the world. If you do not go to the dark places you can not shine the light of Christ to overcome darkness. You have to go. 2. If you go but not as a light. If you go and don't stand out as different, unusual, bright, you're not shining. It's not enough to stand in the darkness, you must turn on the light, let them see Jesus! If you remain dark yourself, you are just as a sinner. Both of these are evil in God's eyes. Both violate God's love. He granted you seven days this week to breathe, how many of those seven did you shine the light of Christ into darkness? How much of life is about you, how much about others, and how much about your King and Master? First GO, but second when you go BE LIGHT!

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 20, 2018 at 03:48AM

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via IFTTT Reasoning among themselves... Jesus stated over and over that "I do only what I see the Father do" but these religious "reasoned among themselves". See the difference? These leaders had returned to the sin of the garden, they had sought to find the knowledge of good and evil from within themselves, their own way. Reasoning in and of itself is not a bad thing, but attempting to discern the things of God from only reasoning is a very bad thing. This is the source of all pain and suffering in the world, the reason for death and sickness, the reason for separation from God... Trying to do it ourselves. The knowledge of good and evil devoid of the author of good, is evil. How much differently would this story have gone if these leaders had gone into fervent prayer to answer this question posed by Jesus? If these men had soght the wisdom of God over the wisdom of man? But they didn't... They traded the wisdom of heaven for reasoning among themselves and the result? Left empty, no answer, no path, just darkness. Do we do this? Do we also reason things out instead of turning to God Himself? When is the last time you faced a decision? Needed an answer? Did you FIRST find alone time to seek God's wisdom? Did you quiet the voices of your own mind to hear that still small voice from within your heart? Did you seek God or man's reasoning? Jesus promises that those who seek will find, those who ask are answered, those who knock will find an open door. So, why turn to reason of man when the wisdom of heaven is so available? Is man above God? Shall we follow right along behind Adam and eat of that tree? Friend, we do this often, we reason among ourselves, we repeat Adam's sin. Just stop. Relax. Hear from heaven instead. If He is faithful, He will answer.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 19, 2018 at 03:20AM

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via IFTTT They knew! They understood. Here we have Jesus speaking again in parables. Earlier Jesus explained that parables were used so that those granted hearing would"get it" while those not granted understanding would not see. If that's true, then the religious leaders here that understood were granted understanding. God specifically wanted them to understand that Jesus was condemning their actions here. They knew and they rejected Jesus anyway. God showed them the error of their ways, warned them of their evil doing. They knew but instead of turning and repenting, they stood firm in their sin. Understanding is not the key! So often today we hear that "it is all about communication, about understanding." Well obviously not here. They understood and it didn't do a thing for them. It is not enough to know when we do evil, it all depends on the heart. Their hearts were cold. Dead. Selfish. They didn't respond with repentance once they gained understanding because their hearts were not ready. On fact, the very understanding that should have brought them to repentance and salvation caused more evil, they turned against Jesus to kill Him. We must be careful. Understanding, communication is not enough. We must have a soft heart. We must desire pleasing God over all else. Then and only then do we find repentance and forgiveness. Talking, teaching, learning will either turn us to repentance or deeper sin, depending on our heart. This applies in our walk with God as well as our relationship with each other. It's all about the heart. Communication between hardened hearts just brings more sin. First submit the heart to God. Let Him soften us through whatever means necessary. Then what we hear and see and understand, what we are told, will help instead of hurt. We will find repentance and forgiveness instead of conviction. It is all about the heart. They knew but they rejected. Pray for a softer heart to avoid their fate.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 18, 2018 at 03:03AM

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via IFTTT Jesus felt a love for him. Wow. The unnamed man moved the heart of God! He touched heaven with his desire and authenticity! He had run to Jesus, and sought to know all God had for him. He must have sensed something was missing, that God was calling him further into grace and glory. His desire was there. Jesus revealed God's ultimate path for the man... To follow Jesus as a disciple. What an honor! He was invited to join Jesus, walk with Him, see the great miracles, hear unfathomable teaching. He was called into ultimate service! Such an honor only a handful received. Yet, here is a sad ending. The man rejected the invitation. How can this be? Who would do such a thing? Who? Any of us with many ties to this world. This man was wealthy. God had blessed him, likely due to his good heart. But that blessing became a curse when the man choose the material blessings over following Jesus, the riches of this life over heaven. Jesus acted out of love, to invite him into ultimate service, but that invite came with a condition. He had to sacrifice all the blessings he had received, to see a new world of blessing. As the seed must be planted and die in order to grow, so he had to start over. This reminds us of Abraham. After receiving the miracle blessing of a son in his old age, Abraham was called to sacrifice that son. He was called to give up that blessing to gain more. Abraham obeyed and passed the test. This man failed. He chose to keep what he already had instead of going further. Our lives are like this. We are often called to start over, to give up what God has given us in order to achieve the next level. It is a test of faith! If we choose to keep what we have, if that is good enough, we stay status quo, sadly. If we sacrifice all that we have, a new world is promised, a new life, life closer to Jesus! Heed the warning of this scripture. Do not hold on to the blessings of yesterday when God calls you forward. Give it all to Jesus! Trust the the next day will be greater then the last. Have faith in His invitation. Holding on to the past is a sure way to hinder the future.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 17, 2018 at 04:35AM

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via IFTTT A child in the arms of God. Not figuratively, but physically wrapped tight in those strong yet gentle arms. Close your eyes and imagine God, creator of this vast universe, pulling you to Himself while those arms wrapped around you. Imagine feeling His warmth, the ultimate protection from all evil held tight inside the light of the world. The love of a true Father to His child. The incredible experience is available to you, right now. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That means His arms are waiting to wrap around you, hold you tight, make the darkness melt away. All that is required is two things... Come to Jesus. Come as a child. Children have inherent trust in their parents. They do not worry about their next meal, clothes, house. They just KNOW that Mom and Dad will take care of them. They do not question, do not say "please go to work so I can eat tomorrow". The heart of a child trusts. They live their days knowing that tomorrow will be ok, dad is here. They do not stress, plead, demand of parents. They trust out of love and knowing. Are you this child? Are you at peace that tomorrow your dad will care for your needs? Do you trust? Do you have faith? If no, why not? Has God failed you? Has He refused you? Do you not still breathe? You might not have all the toys that you desire, but you breathe. He brought you this far in spite of yourself. Those arms are open to you now. Don't pull away, step into His arms. Feel them wrap around you in the embrace you crave. Feel His protection, His love. It is real, not just some two thousand year old story . It is real today. Give it all to Jesus today. Everything. Trust completely. Relax and enjoy His presence. Stop all the striving, fighting, worry. Give Him your messed up life to fix. Just be the child of The King today. Share His light and love with others. Know God's love personally and practically. He is the faithful father, we are His little child.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 15, 2018 at 03:30AM

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via IFTTT Adultery. A sin worthy of death according to the law of Moses, yet often openly participated in through the guise of serial manogomy. Will God turn a blind eye? Jesus' own words here are quite specific and clear. Replacing a spouse with another is adultery and therefore punishable by death. The only justifiable reason for divorce, without causing the sin of adultery, is the sin of fornication (intimate relations outside of marriage). This is a painful truth for the millions of people today who have openly practiced serial monogamy (multiple committed marriages). Jesus' words condemn that specific practice. Serial monogamy is an attempt by man to justify sin, to make it acceptable. Justifying sin is, itself, sin! Our society has fallen to a point where each participant in a relationship now believes themselves to be the most important part of that relationship. Marriages are built on what the other person does for us. If the spouse fails to be a positive part of our life, we feel justified in leaving and starting over. Jesus calls this sin, worthy of death penality because of its severity. Let us not think that avoiding legal "marriage" in an intimate relationship prevents this sin and allows us freedom to leave when things get uncomfortable. Marriage, by biblical standards, is defined by intimate relations, not ceremony. Follow the logic here and we see why America is in such dire straits! Why the church is so powerless, why our families are falling apart, why struggle in our own lives. When we embrace sin as normal, we simply can not experience God's presence. So what to do? If we accept what Jesus says here as truth, how can we possibly go on? How many of us are guilty of violating this deeply grevious sin, and feeling ok about it? How many divorced and remarried people sit in the pews without a twang of guilt for their abhorrently selfish behaviour? How many are already planning another switch of partners in an ever failing search for the perfect mate? What to do? Simple.... Repent. Adultery is no different from any other sin. Sin is sin. All is death, all is forgivable upon repentance. The lists of sin in the new testament puts things like gluttony right along with homosexuality, adultery. How dare any of us think our sins are any less or any greater than another's? How dare we pick and choose sin to accept and sin to condemn. Sin is sin. But repentance requires fruit. It requires a realization of the gravity of pain we cause by our sin. God hates divorce. We must come to terms with our own sin, our own selfishness. We must experience the deep heart wrenching conviction of realization that our own selfish rebellion against God caused this. We must see our own sin as the ugliness that God sees. We must make retribution to those we have hurt. We must admit and confess or faults. And we must willingly die to self. But what does that mean? STOP LIVING FOR YOURSELF! Die on the cross with Jesus and rise with Him to live again without care for your own welfare, feelings, treatment. Put aside selfishness! Stop worrying about how YOU are treated. YOU are supposed to be dead! What do you care if your spouse or significant other isn't perfect to you, why do you care if they aren't the person you want to make you feel good? You, Mr or Mrs Christian, are dead to self! Your life is not about YOU but THEM. Your life is dedicate to helping THEM. Your every day is spent seeking how to be a better partner for them, not find a better partner for yourself. Selfishness is a sin. Adultery is a sin. Serial relationship, including marriage, is a sin. One may reply, "wait, what about cheating? Do we just accept it and ignore?" No... That is the one exception that frees us from the commitment of marriage. The only one. Another would say "wait, what about a physically or emotionally abusive relationship? Should one just stay in that situation and be abused?" Of course not! That is why God allowed Divorce through Moses, because of the hardness of men's hearts. But.. Jesus said divorce and remarry, that is adultery. Not my words, His. Repent of these sins and bring to God the fruits of your repentance. Then and only then can you experience the life that God has for you.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 14, 2018 at 03:49AM

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via IFTTT Divorce. Death. Life long suffering. Evil. Strong words, yes. Deep suffering. Perhaps an even deeper truth here than we like to admit. Let us dig... Under the law of Moses, man divorced wife. It was not the other way around. The man could choose to send away his wife. God created a patriarchal society. Men were responsible for the family. Men were responsible for the church. Men were responsible for the future of the nation. All the way back to the curse in the garden, where God told eve "because you were mislead first", men become responsible for you. I do not say men are in "control", because any man that uses that word, control, does not understand the magnitude of responsibility over the allure of control. This is not about who can choose, but who is responsible. With marriage, regardless of who did what, who said what, who wants what, the man is responsible. Look what Jesus says here to men. "Because of hardness of heart, Moses allowed you (men) to divorce." The hardness of who's heart? Men! Sir, truth is, you are fully responsible for your family's future. God doesn't want to hear about "her faults". He wants to hear about how did you deal with it? Was your heart hard? God put you in control so that you, sir, could die for your wife as Christ died for the church, as He died for you. Will you not show the same sacrifice for your wife that Jesus showed to you? What does scripture say of a man who won't show others the same mercy they received? This is hard teaching from Jesus. The man is responsible for divorce. The hardness of man's heart causes divorce. The hardness of man's heart causes kids to grow up without a father and mother, without a proper example of God and church, without the family that God commissioned. It's truly all your fault sir. You. because you are to lay down your life for your wife and cause her to prosper. No matter what. Personally, I say this as a divorced man. I made the selfish choice once of filing for divorce. I am guilty of serving myself over what God gave me. I know the depth of this. I accept that it was all my fault. This is not pointing fingers, this is pleading with you. Accept your responsibility before you fail! Where are the men with sore knees? Where are the men who spend all night, night after night in prayer, pleading with God to save their family? Searching with weeping eyes for one more thing to do ? Where are the men who give up EVERYTHING, every selfish wish, ambition, desire, hobby, pleasure to help their family? Where are the men spending every spare moment searching scripture for wisdom to lead their family? Where are the real men? Have you even tried? No, not unless you gave everything as Jesus did for you. Not if you have any "you" left. Man up, give it all. Divorce. Man's fault. Hard hearted men, selfish men, childish men, lazy men, they cause divorce. And GOD HATES DIVORCE. Seek God, sir. If you don't, a day is coming when He will ask you why you didn't. He is ready to save the family He gave you. All that stops life, is you. He is capable, but are you willing?

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 11, 2018 at 04:11AM

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via IFTTT The sin of "just too late". These people had seen Jesus work miracle after miracle. They had faith bolsters by eye witness events. They knew what He could do for healing. But they didn't yet know Jesus. Their faith had a limit. They only believed what they had seen. They had God in just as much of a box as someone who didn't believe the healings at all. They saw limits. And they valued what they saw over what could be. And that... Is lack of faith! They could not accept the miracle working power of Jesus as unlimited. Their own understanding was still focused on this world. They did not yet see Him as the author and creator of the universe. They limited God Himself through their unbelief. You see, that's why Jesus waited to come. That's why when lazurus was sick, Jesus purposefully waited until he died. These people needed to move beyond simple miracles of healing and see the true nature of Jesus. Their eyes were closed. How often do we repeat this sin today? Limiting God with a box of any sort is a sin. Unbelief. Lack of faith. Sin. "If only" becomes our prayer. We walk in defeat because our God is limited by our own ideas and limits. We put our thinking above the power of God! What an insult! For man to tell God "it is too late"? No! Don't do it! It is never too late for God. No situation is beyond His ability. How dare we decide what God can and can not do? Who put us in charge? We either trust or we don't. God is either in control of life and death or not. There is no in-between! There are no limits! The key is this. We are called to do what is right. To discern the optimum. To stand for righteousness in every action in every walk of life. To never compromise. To never give in. To never accept a lesser evil. To never negotiate with satan. We are to be the light of what is pure and holy in everything... EVERYTHING. No aspect of life is immune. Health, finances, relationship, politics, everything falls under "stand for righteousness against all odds". Then trust. Let God be in charge of the harvest. Let Him work whatever miracle, without limit, that He sees fit. Whether we live or die, we live or die in righteousness and peace. The harvest is His, the work is our part. These people limited God. They failed to see what could be, because they focused on what could have been. They failed to see what God wanted, because they were full of compromise and limit. They feared and mourned because they trusted in their own understanding and put themselves in the place of God. Be brave! Be at peace! Do what is right and expect God to handle whatever. The harvest is His. The work is ours.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 10, 2018 at 03:30AM

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via IFTTT The shortest scripture, but one with a powerful message. Jesus wept. He was so moves, so touched, that tears streamed from those compassionate eyes. Why? He was not weeping for lazurus. He knew that within moments lazurus would be raised back to life. He knew the outcome would be positive. His tears were not about loss, but pain. He felt their pain. He wept because the people He loved we're hurting. Jesus cares deeply. He cares about all that we go through. He feels our each and every pain. He is human. He has the same emotion we do. It hurts to see someone you love hurting. Next time you are hurting, remember that Jesus wept with Mary. He felt her deep pain and experienced the grief she was feeling. He cares about your pain. He feels your pain. Yes He has a plan, yes He knows all will be well soon, but for the moment, He weeps with you because he feels with you. Our son, our stubbornness, out selfish ambition, our rebellion, it all causes pain and suffering. Most of what we suffer is in fact self inflicted. Yet, Jesus still goes through the darkness with us today, feeling our pain, sharing our sorrow. Our rebellion causes Him suffering, just as any good friend hurts when we hurt. Doesn't matter why, doesn't matter who's fault it is. A good friend feels our pain. Jesus is your friend. He already died for you, now He loves with you. He sees every sadness, every pain, and experiences it with us. A better friend we will never find! So give your pain to Jesus! He is there for you. Let his loving arms envelope you, fill you with comfort. And let him raise the dead.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 05, 2018 at 03:28AM

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via IFTTT Even if someone rises from the dead. We tend to think that miracles change minds. They don't. Period. Someone who wants to believe will, one who doesn't won't. A miracle itself changes nothing. Miracles don't change minds or hearts, miracles expose them! When someone who already believes hears of a miracle, it cements their faith. It provides evidence for what already was accepted. But when someone who doesn't believe sees that same miracle, they are skeptical. The miracle provides fodder for discredit. Here is the good news.... This means that YOU do not need to work miracles! You don't need to be superhuman! You can just be you, and God will use you. It is not about the miracles, not about the quality of your actions or abilities. It's actually not about you at all! When you speak truth and live light, the truth and light do the work, not you! How freeing! What changes hearts and minds is not logic, not persuasion, not intelligence. Only God can change hearts and minds. Not us, not you, not me. It is in God's capable hands! When what you speak is successful, it's not because YOU spoke it, it's because God brings the harvest. How dare we take credit for what God Himself does! Are we the source of life? NO! Always remember, we do the work, but God brings the harvest. If one will believe, miracles are not the reason. If one won't believe, miracles are not a help. God must touch the heart. We, even if a miracle worker, are but a tool, a vessel, a messenger. So relax, God is in control. We are only responsible for the effort and for providing our own willing heart. The rest is in the hands of the "Lord of the harvest".

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 04, 2018 at 03:15AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2AQuYTF
via IFTTT Stories of old, stories of people from another time, another place. But not just stories, these are beautiful paintings on the canvas of life. These are wisdom, to keep us safe in our own storms. We may call it "old testament" but it is in fact, our future! The stories in the Bible are real life parables. Each one is a rich assortment of wisdom to be revealed. Layer after layer of truth and guidance for us today. Some may say that we live in a different time so those are outdated images of the past. NO! Times may change, but humans are the same more importantly God never changes! The principles at work in these old stories are as relevant to our lives today as ever. Wisdom is based on principles, not details. It is the process of stripping away details and seeing the principles that parables are made of. Jesus spoke in many parables. The stories of the old testament are a continual string of parables. It's the same thing! The value of the stories is in the principles. "He who has an ear, let him hear". Do you have an ear? Can you read through those old stories and see guidance for your own daily life in every word? Is the old testament an exciting and overwhelming collection of depth? If not, perhaps our ears could use some cleaning! We can have ears to hear and eyes to see, but they do not come from man's process of study. Eyes and ears come through God's grace and gift of the Holy Spirit. Only God Himself can open our eyes and ears. Seek Him first, and you will find wisdom. It's not analysis, study, searching, academic reasoning. No. Wisdom is found in those quiet moments alone with God. Ask Him to reveal His wisdom to you. Ask Him to open your eyes to truth, to principle. Ask, and you shall receive! Then the Bible comes alive! The life is not in the words themselves, but in the spirit that lives within you as you read or hear the words. God's spirit is truth and wisdom. He will open your eyes if you ask Him diligently. Not once, not twice, but constantly. Seek Him daily. Remember Lott's wife, and remember all those stories we memorized as a child. Return to the Bible and read them again, but ask God to open your eyes to see deep. He will! And you will never be the same!

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 03, 2018 at 03:12AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2QtG3nH
via IFTTT Envy blinds the eyes, but exposes the heart. The Scribes and Pharisees had a life mission of reaching their people with the love and Holiness of God. Yet because their hearts were cold and dead, they spent the days praising and pleasing themselves. Their heart was contrary to their mission. When Jesus came along with a pure heart, but the same mission, people responded in huge crowds! Instead of repenting, the Scribes and Pharisees grew envious. Instead of rejoicing, they grumbled. And that envy exposed their true heart. It wasn't about the people at all to them, it was all about themselves. Today we read these stories and easily see the error of their ways. But do we see our own? How is this different from church leaders who seek to build their Church as a business? Who read books about increasing church attendance. Who offer fun, exciting lures to attract people. Who fret over the bank account more than the lost. Where is your heart? Our bookshelf should be about how to reach the lost, how to achieve Holiness, how to please God in daily life, how to die to self, how to walk in faith. Our calendar should be full of moments of prayer set aside, regular private Bible reading, visiting people who are hurting. Our bank account should have more deductions than deposits, giving to those in need instead of buying for ourselves. Our life should be one of sacrifice, not pleasure. Visiting not vacation, caring not wanting. It's the heart to matters. Where is our heart? And it's not just church leaders... No no. Everyday people have the same call! Last time you received a raise or bonus, what was your first thought? Was it about what you can spend it on for yourself? Or was it about who you could now give to? When you last had a day off, did you rejoice because you get to relax and play, or because you finally can spend an entire day in prayer? You see, we humans are hopeless on our own. We are the same as the Scribes and Pharisees. Our own thoughts are continually on our own life and pleasure, not furthering God's kingdom! We are envious of others gaining riches, glory, bonus, ease, because WE want that stuff for ourselves! No matter how holy we portray to those around us, we are imperfect. Down inside, out thoughts and emotions betray who we want to be. The answer? Jesus. Let His purity of heart expose our own darkness. Stop trying to be Holy and instead seek His Holiness. We can never change our own heart. But through honestly realizing our own depravity, and repenting... Honestly admitting to God that we are evil inside and seeking His help... Only then can our hearts be changed. The world takes an opposite approach. The world says " you're not so bad, look on the bright side, see all the good you do and be happy". That is not God's way. See the evil inside us. Feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Let His light expose our own darkness. Then give it all to God for redemption. Don't ignore, don't downplay, but redeem, change! Become holy by repenting of trying to become holy! Just relax and admit the truth, and let Jesus do what we can not. Flock to Him with the sin inside and repent as a broken son or daughter at His feet. Let Jesus purify our heart.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church December 01, 2018 at 03:34AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2SoOpdh
via IFTTT Give up all your possessions? All? Yes! That is God's call to us. Give it all. Quite a far cry from the popular message of today. Some struggle to give the "required" 10%. Others give to get. Still, others concentrate on accumulating wealth and comfort as their goal. And all this within the "church" where Jesus said, "give it all!" How can this be? How can we be so far off target? Following Jesus, serving God is not a means to riches or comfort in this world. Jesus said over and over, this world is nothing. It is evil. It is but a fleeting moment in eternity. Following Jesus means turning our backs on everything in this life. The "good" as well as the bad, counting it all as worthless before a holy God and eternity. Is it a sin to be rich? No. It is a greater sin to SEEK to be rich! How many more of us are guilty of seeking riches than having them ! How often do we follow the allure of a better job, bigger house, more fun, vacations, things, bank accounts, nicer clothes? Give it all up! Stop wasting precious minutes seeking that which is worthless! Life is not about getting ahead, not even about keeping up. It is about serving! If you have "things" count it all as God's and you are but managing it for Him. Will you truly take of God's riches, entrusted to you, and use some on yourself? Just who do you think you are? Did you "earn" that? NO! God blessed you in spite of the sinful nature inside. It is His blessing, not yours. It is His riches, not yours. You are like the bank teller, handling accounts for others. Will you go to lunch on another's money? It's all in the attitude. Whatever you have, whatever you find yourself with control over, give it to God. Seek to serve Him with it, not yourself. Not to gain a reward! But to serve the one who put those things into your hands. Riches are a test. What will you do? Will you spend as you wish? As if you own them? Or will you honor your pledge at salvation to give everything to God? It is a test indeed. Do you pass? Give it all to Jesus. Not to receive more, but because you recognize it all as belonging to Him. Because He is worthy. Holding on to control over anything, anything, means we are not yet following Christ.