Pleasant Grove Baptist Church May 29, 2019 at 03:16AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church http://bit.ly/2JLLn2y
via IFTTT Do you trust God? If so, then whom do you fear? Who is so powerful as to pluck you out of the hands of the Son of God, Jesus, who already conquered death itself. Who can overpower Jesus? Who can sneak past to attack you? Who? Much of life is resolved in this simple fact, either God is God or He is not. If He is not God almighty, then everything is in vain. We do not stand a chance. All is lost. But if He is God, then we have all hope, all promise, and have nothing to fear. There is no in-between. Does God protect His own? Of course! Does He make mistakes? Does He sleep? Of course not. We live our lives forever under His watchful eye and protective hand. The other day I was walking through our pasture with my two year old son. The pasture is littered with dangerous plants, bull nettles, poison oak, thorny vines. Danger and injury lurk at every step if not careful. Yet my son merrily walked along by my side, holding my hand, oblivious to the danger. As his father, I constantly scanned the path ahead to gently guide him to the safest direction. Our path was twists and turns, the purpose of which he knew nothing. He smiled and chatted as he held my hand and followed my lead through dangerous ground. He was in no danger at all. I steered his every step to avoid any problem. Until, seeing a butterfly flirt by, he let go of my hand to chase it! This moment of "I'll go my way and have some fun" put him in danger. Not realizing which plants could hurt him, he could have gotten into real trouble. So, what did I do? Grabbed his hand of course! I regained my place as navigator of his life. He was disappointed, sure. He wanted to chase butterflies! Dad's rules are so boring! But... Dad kept him safe from dangers he could not comprehend. Those rules, which seem to prevent to fun of the moment, actually prevent injury and pain that he couldn't see. He was never in danger as long as he submitted to my lead and held on to my hand. Are you holding the Father's hand? If so, trust him. He will not let anything harm you. He will guide your steps and build a wall of protection around you. In that little walk through the pasture, I would have done anything for my son. A wasp, a snake, a scorpion, all was avoided and even if something came to attack him, that evil would have had to get past me first with my child in my protective arms. God is a loving protective father. He sees the dangers ahead. Sometimes He chases our hand when we spy colorful butterflies, but always He guards and protects us. All we must do is submit to His lead, and hold His hand. Then trust. I would have been saddened deeply if my son were fearful on that walk. Fear would mean that he did not trust me completely to guide and protect him. Anxiety would mean my son felt the need to protect himself from unknown dangers. He didn't think I could. It was his peace and light heartedness that showed me his trust. Do we treat our Father like that? Do we declare trust but live in fear? Do we become anxious, expecting an attack that our father will miss? Is He capable? Is He willing? Is He God? The faith of a child to trust. The obedience of a child to submit. Those two bring peace in this minefield we call life. Just hold Jesus hand and follow His lead. Relax. Trust. Even as you spy that butterfly, His grip tightens.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church May 25, 2019 at 03:14AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church http://bit.ly/2YM8D42
via IFTTT Truth. Light. Life. These three go together. But to perceive truth, we must want to find truth over all else. We must deeply desire to know what is true, even if it means that we must change. Our heart must be right. We must desire truth over all else. At first glance we may be tempted to say "everyone desires truth", but this is not true. Many, often most people, want to make their own truth, go their own way, make their own path. They seek the authority to declare their own truth. They are more concerned with "what is true for me" then absolute truth. In fact, these people end up rejecting the very notion of absolute truth. And it is sad to see. Paul is saying here that there is "a" truth. One. Those who spend their lives dedicated to understanding that truth are blessed with finding it. Those who prefer to run their own lives, never discover truth. Instead they walk around blindly, always learning but never understanding. And the amazing point is what Paul says here. "God Himself gives them a deluding spirit". They will not see the truth even if standing right in front of it. They will continue to believe their own lies, and the lies of the voices they hear. Is this cruel? Why would God block someone from find ding truth? Simple... He can not allow them to find truth through their own efforts. If they did, they would "be like God", the promise of satan in the garden. Satan told man it is best to "eat of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil" because doing so would make man "like God" , able to be independent, an authority to himself. And man fell for it. If God then allowed man to succeed in this open rebellion, man would be convinced it was best to betray God and thereby play right into satan's hands. So, God hides truth from those who seek to follow through on that rebellion of the garden. Creating our own truth or denying that there is absolutely truth is the same sin. This sort of rebellious attitude against God will fail. God Himself ensures it. What is the answer then? Seek truth, the truth. Even if truth means we are wrong, even if it means that we must change, seek truth above all else. Strive to lay aside our own thoughts and perceive the wisdom of God. But with a heart of service to the author of truth. Seek to serve God in truth. Not to empower ourselves, but to please our Father, Creator and God. Today we see endless debates on social media, and in person. People seemingly oblivious to truth. They debate not focused on finding truth, but in furthering what they see as truth. An attitude of pride and rebellion. Sin. And this sin brings the deluding influence where we do believe the lie. There is no logic, no argument that can convince such a person otherwise. Only when God lifts the deluding influence will they see the light. And that will only happen when the heart changes from proving truth to finding truth. Do you know the truth? Paul admitted that even he "saw life through a dark glass". He did not understand it all yet he taught millions and authored most of the New testament. Finding truth is a lifetime of peeling back layers of the onion one at a time. Diving deeper and deeper into understanding, led by the Holy Spirit. You see, no man can make you or I see truth. Only God can do that. We speak words, but the Holy Spirit opens the understanding. He is the teacher who will lead us into all truth. Man is words. Spirit is truth. So pray, seek God to open your eyes and heart. Whether it be in politics, health, psychology, science, finances, education, family life, relationships, social issues, whatever... Turn to Him for truth. Pray to understand. Stop turning to man for truth and go straight to the author, God. It starts in prayer. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Start there.

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church May 22, 2019 at 03:15AM

from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church http://bit.ly/2WXGu9D
via IFTTT Who have you "built up" today? This so the job of the church, to stand together as a family and love each other. Not as the world loves, but love from God that is the love of a sibling. A loving sibling is always there to hold your hand, offer a shoulder to cry on, give advice, or stand and declare correction. A loving sibling would never let another go astray and harm themselves without speaking truth. This is the church. Work. Watchful work for each other. Serving. Jesus spent his last evening with the disciples demonstrating this concept in the washing of the disciples feet. Service others unselfishly. He is our example. We are to wash feet. Not literally, but figuratively. Giving ourselves, our resources, our time, our heart to our sibling in Christ. Whatever they need, being the conduit for that. It is work. Being a member of God's church is not about receiving at all, but giving. Selfish people focus on receiving, and Jesus followers are called to put aside all selfishness. Being a member of the local church is about giving. Not just tighing, but giving all that we have in living for our siblings in Christ. Consider nothing to be "yours" but all that you have is given by God so that you can share with those who need. All. Hold nothing back. Do you have a word? An insight? A hug? A warning? Share it! The local church is the hospital or base camp for the war of good and evil. Christians are constantly under attack as well as ever attacking the enemy. The church is where we support each other, encourage each other, correct each other, minister to each other, so that we may return to the battle stronger and purer. This is church membership. Giving. Serving. Set aside the selfish desire to get more than you give. Concentrate on others more than yourself. This is the way to peace and comfort, through giving. It is also the way to obedience. Who have you served today? Who is better off with the Lord because you were there? If a name escapes you... Hurray. Go serve! Serve someone before the day sets, none of us knows if we shall see tomorrow. Serve now while you can. Jesus washed feet. What shall you do today?