Pleasant Grove Baptist Church September 14, 2019 at 04:30AM

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via IFTTT Are you prepared to die for your faith? Are you looking forward to the honor? Before you answer, take a close look at your own recent past. Have you shied away from declaring sin as sin? Have you accepted "what's normal" so that you would appear "weird"? Have you followed what is socially acceptable to avoid being singled out? Have you not wanted to "rock the boat" in your own family? So often we think we are ready to "die" for our faith but we are too scared to live it! Paul was not afraid, not timid, he looked forward to it. He counted persecution of all sorts as a great honor! To be counted worthy to experience the persecution of the saints?!?! Wow! What an honor! How popular would an alter call be if it was clearly explained that the promise is a life of persecution? Sure, eternal life later, but Jesus said to "count the cost". Jesus promised we would face persecution and death if we lived the gospel. Not riches and happiness, no. Persecution and death. That is the promise, the honor of the truly repentant and saved Christian. The problem you see, the problem in America is that Christian Life is so easy, it takes no commitment, brings no cost. And for that reason, Christianity without cost is fake. It's not real. Jesus made a promise. Persecution in this life. If you are not experiencing persecution either Jesus lied or your not living the Gospel! Paul counted persecution as an honor, a blessing. Do you? Or do you avoid it? What if the level of persecution we experience in this life is in fact a measurement of how well we follow Christ? If we are promised persecution by Jesus Himself, why would we expect any other outcome? Therefore, it is a valid argument.... Lack of persecution may mean lack of Christ in our life. Now, be careful when evaluating this. Persecution for sin is not the same as persecution for righteousness. Jesus promised persecution for living His life and shining His light to the world. If we are persecuted because we compromised the gospel or outright sinned, that is different. Take heart, expect criticism. Expect to loose friends, to have rumours based on lies spread, expect to be misquoted, expect to be ostricized for your faith, expect to be criticized for speaking truth, expect to be an outcast because those who love sin are uncomfortable around someone who exposes sin as sin. Expect to be persecuted! The promise is that WHILE you are persecuted, while in prison, while beaten, while being mistreated, you will experience the greatest peace and comfort beyond understanding. Not because you were "rescued" from the evildoers, but because the Holy Spirit lives in you and brings peace inside a storm. The storm isn't quieted, but tranquil comfort abounds in your heart. The quiet strength that says "I know God can calm the storm, but even if He doesn't, I choose righteousness and truth". Paul headed towards persecution, not as a sacrifice but as an honor. Are you ready?

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church September 09, 2019 at 04:10AM

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via IFTTT God is not mocked. Ever. Man may think from time to time that he has "gotten away with something" or "slipped by". NO. Never God is not mocked, ever, but He is incredibly patient. He is the good father that does not take pleasure in punishment. It hurts His heart to discipline us. He does not in any way enjoy doling out justice to us, His children. But He does, when He must. When we exhaust His Mercy, when we push His patience to the limit with our wicked behaviour, He has no choice. I understand this. I have 12 children. Never in my life have I enjoyed doling out discipline. It is a job, a duty. I do it, but only when absolutely necessary. There is no pleasure in giving discipline or justice. Pleasure of a father is found in giving mercy. But, sometimes the child requires discipline. God's heart is deep. He loves us. All of us. You. But His love is so deep that He will indeed discipline who He must. First He tries mercy, invitation, softness. But He will not be mocked. He will not tolerate a child who rebels over and over. He will not tolerate one who takes advantage of His gracious mercy. Sin is sin, and leads to death. If the Bible lists something as sin, it is sin. Period. God will not change, will not be mocked. Sin is death. Know that God is a gracious Father full of Mercy. Know that God will not be mocked

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church September 04, 2019 at 04:59PM

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Pleasant Grove Baptist Church September 02, 2019 at 04:25AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church https://ift.tt/2PzpuY9
via IFTTT The kingdom of God is not about rules and regulations, it is about joy, peace, righteousness. People get very hung up on rules. Do this, don't do that. A "good Christian" does not do this. A "saved" person would not do that. "You can't be a member of our church unless you follow our rules." Then on the other side you hear "let everyone do whatever they want, it's all just love!". Or " I can do anything I want, I'm saved". Or even "God accepts everyone in His love". Both extremes are lies, because they focus on laws, rules and regulations. One side demands the following of rules, the other demands the extinction of rules. Rules rules rules. But the law kills, the spirit brings life. Lay the rules aside and realize what Paul says here. Rules only have the authority that the individual is convinced they have, but the following or breaking of rules must be driven by a deep desire to portray Christ to the world. If we break rules because WE want to, we sin by those rules. It was our want, our preference, our desire to break the rules and that is sin. Doing anything for our own benefit is sin. But, if we pretend that following rules makes us more holy, we also sin. The only thing that can make us holy is the blood of Christ and work of the Holy Spirit, not man's efforts to follow rules. So, you see, the law, the rules, are beautiful. They show us God's heart. They are the instructions book for man in how to live long, healthy, at peace. But they do not in any way make us more holy and we can not judge someone's holiness by the following of the law's letter. We hold each other accountable for sin, we cry out to the world over activities of sin that breaks God's heart, but we do not ever think that the absence of acts of sin brings holiness. Complex? Contradictory? Not really. Not when you see that God's kingdom is not about rules, but about "love your neighbor as yourself" and "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength". If we do those two things in spirit and truth, we will follow the law and enjoy living according to His rules. Not because we have to, but because we finally can ! You see, if you follow the rules because you must in order to avoid punishment, you missed it altogether. No parent wants their child to "do as little as possible to avoid punishment". Parents want the child to mature to the point of "how can I help?" Instead of "what must I do". It's all in the heart. God is love. So much love that He gave law to follow that shows us what life should be like. He wants us to live at joy and peace while following the law, because our heart is washed clean from sin by His Sons blood. Law does not bring us closer to God, the desire to follow law shows us how close we ourselves are.