Sword of the Spirit

Hebrews 4:12 says, "The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit... It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

God's Word can cut deep into our thoughts and attitudes! Sometimes, when we are tempted to do what is wrong...thinking the wrong thoughts... God's Word can cut right through that temptation to the "heart of the matter."

That's why it's important that we learn what it says in the Bible, God's Word. Once we LEARN it...then we can USE it. But, how do we use it if we have never learned it?

It's like this. A young boy wants to ride his bike to Dairy Queen for ice cream. He's been told that he can have his favorite DQ treat for FREE, but he has to get there in the next 5 minutes. He pulls his bike out of the garage. The problem is this: He has never taken time to learn how to ride a bike!

Sounds silly, doesn't it? It would be silly if someone had a bicycle for years, but never learned to ride it.

Some people are the same way with their Bibles though. They OWN a Bible. But they have never really used it. ....that's sad.

This week, I encourage you to take time to read your Bible. Join Kid's Clubs this Fall. Join Junior BIBLE Quiz. Be a part of our church programs that help you learn the Bible, and take time to read the Bible at home too. It's important!

Here are some verses for you to read:

Psalm 1:1-3
Psalm 119:11
Psalm 119:105
Joshua 1:7,8
2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:14-17

God's Army: Overcoming Temptation

We are in a spiritual fight. And sometimes that fight is not outside of us, but INSIDE of us. We fight against temptation in our thoughts, our attitudes, our hearts, and our minds.

Liz taught us 1 Corinthians 10:13. It says, "...God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand..."

When you are tempted, the Holy Spirit will be right there with you, reminding you that He will help you to do what is right. Just remember to do what is right, even if you do not FEEL like it. "Do what is right, and the feelings will follow."

Jesus chose to do what was right, even when it was hard. You may read about how Jesus handled temptation in Matthew 4:1-11.

Other great verses to remember are Psalm 37:4 and James 1:14,15. Take some time to read them today!

------Have a great week!--------

See you on August 15 for B.G.M.C. Sunday!

Pirates: A Heroes Adventure - Heroes Do the Right Thing!

Do what is right and the feelings will follow.
Sometimes we don't feel like doing what is right, but when we do the right thing even when don't want to we soon feel happy and satisfied that we made the right choice. Right choices please God, so we need to know what He thinks and think how He thinks.

True heroes do the right thing, in Daniel chapter 3 we can read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They had a choice to make, they could do the wrong thing and worship the statue of the king, or they could do the right thing and only worship God. They made the right choice, even though it meant being thrown in a fiery furnace! Maybe Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't feel like making the right choice, but they did, making them true heroes. God blessed them for making the right choice, by protecting them and saving them from the fiery furnace. They we thrown in but they did not get bunered, and when they came out they didn't even smell like smoke. God protected them.

So, "do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Pirates: A Heroes Adventure!

Ohoy there! We have had four fantastic nights of Vacation Bible School with over 500 children attending! We learned about God's plan for each of us to be heroes and how He helps us to do that.

Don't miss Kids Church this next Sunday morning as we do our last lesson from "Pirates: A Heroes Adventure." See you there, mateys!

Good News Shoes

Ephesians 6: 14,15 "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

Shoes are very important, they protect our feet and not only keep them from getting dirty, but also from getting hurt. It is also imported to carry the good news, or the gospel of Jesus in our hearts. The gospel protects us spiritually, very much like our shoes do.

"Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:26, 27

In Rome there used to be spiky pits in the roads covered with leaves to hid them, so that when armies came to attack they would injure their feet and not be able to fight. On the road of our lives sometimes we go through hard times that are hidden so that we could not see that they where coming. This is why it is important to wear your Gospel Shoes! They keep your safe when you go though hard times.

Righteousness

A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16

God wants us to have a clean heart, in fact when God created man there was nothing evil or wicked in him at all. But, when Adam and Eve sinned they because unrighteous. Being unrighteous means that you are no longer in right standing with God. This makes our hearts feel guilty and sad. Often times people try to fix there guilt by attempting to cover up the problem. But no matter how hard we try, there is only one way to have a clean heart again. And that way is Jesus. God send his Son Jesus to die for us so that the punishment for our sins would be paid and we would be righteous is God's eyes again. So when we accept what Jesus did for us on the cross we are made right before God.

Fourth of July

"One nation, under God."

That's what we say in the pledge of allegiance. We understand that our country is here because it started out being led by a group of folks who tried to do what was pleasing to God.

Pastor Keith mentioned a quote that says, "America is great, because America is good. When America ceases (stops) being good, it will stop being great."

Our country needs to continue to do what is good!

James 4:17 says, "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do, but doesn't do it, sins."

Are there good things we could do, and should do, as citizens of the United States of America?

What are some of those things we, as Christians, should do?

Are there things we can do to help take care of our country?

What things should we pray about that will help our country be good and do good?

Be thankful today, for this great country that you may live in! ...and look for ways to do what is good as a Christian and as an American!