“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Cor 13:4-7 (NIV) Can you imagine life without love? Can you imagine doing life as a family without love? Can you imagine being part of a church where love is absent? God made us to know His love and to make His love known. God created us to building meaningful relationships with others in response to His love for us and in us. What does that kind of love look like? That kind of love looks just like Jesus. Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus does not envy, He does not boast, and He is not proud. Jesus is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, and He keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Will your name fit there? Are you living in such a way as to embody God’s love? God has placed you in a fallen world to continue the ministry of Jesus. You are here to know God’s love and to make His love known by building meaningful relationships with others. Will those who know you, but don’t know Jesus, come to know Jesus because they know you? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Author: Stephen Trammell
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Col 3:14 (NIV) Love is the fuel that ignites compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. As you experience God’s love personally, you will unleash His love freely. Loving others will be a byproduct of your personal encounter of God’s love for you. God is not asking you to do anything that He has not already done for you. His love in you is available to express to others. Love keeps your spiritual wardrobe in unity. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV) “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 (NIV) Is it clearly evident that you are a fully devoted follower of Christ? Are you loving others the way God loves you? Your discipleship is demonstrated through your treatment of others. When you love others the way God has loved you, the reality of your love relationship with God becomes obvious. Portray God’s love by expressing God’s love to every person you come into contact with. You will find that some people are very easy to love and some people are more challenging to love. Choose to love people based on God’s love for you and in you. Place the same value on others that God does. God loves them perfectly and completely. Allow His unconditional love to flow through you in this love-deficient world. People need to know God’s love. God has chosen you to be the conduit of His love. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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With You Forever
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 (NIV) Jesus had a vibrant prayer life and a vigilant compassion for people. He personally mentored the Twelve Disciples and gave them countless opportunities to experience His personal touch ministry. They were eyewitnesses of His life-changing ministry. Jesus announced His imminent death and as you could imagine, the disciples where troubled in spirit. Jesus reassured them by sharing that He would pray to the Father and that He would give them another Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to be with them forever. Jesus gave them a glimpse of their future reality by letting them know that the Holy Spirit would come to live in each of them. That same truth applies to us in our current context. When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence within that believer’s life. The Counselor, the Spirit of truth, becomes your constant companion simultaneously with your conversion experience. When you place your faith in Christ alone for salvation, you become the walking tabernacle of the Presence of God. The Holy Spirit indwells you personally and permanently. You will never be alone. You will never go anywhere without the Person of the Holy Spirit living in you. He is your Counselor, your Comforter, and your Guide. The Holy Spirit lives in you and will be with you forever. He intercedes for you in accordance with God’s will (Rm 8:26-27). Submit to His control in your life and allow Him to bear His fruit through your life for God’s glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) The Christian life has an exciting destination, but don’t minimize the value of the journey. You will experience a varying cadence through the seasons of your life on mission with God. There will be times of sowing and times of reaping. You will experience times of planting and times of watering. Sometimes the pace of life will feel like the turbulence of white-water rafting and at other times, the pace will be more tranquil like a duck treading water on a peaceful pond Learn to experience God in each unique setting you find yourself in. If your life feels fragmented, then hit the pause button and allow God to re-orient you to His abiding Presence. Stop fretting and seeking to produce more and more. Allow God to refuel you and to refocus you. Sometimes the most spiritual activity you can embrace is going down pit road and enjoying a refreshing pit stop to allow God to put you back together. God’s will for your life has a certain rhythm. Find your rhythm. How do you best reconnect with God? How do you best revitalize your passion for God and renew your passion for life? Put your hope in the Lord. Trust Him with your life and entrust your worries to Him. He loves you and knows what’s best for your life. Are you walking, running, or soaring? Life tends to accentuate a different tempo based on the season you are in. Whether you are walking, running, or soaring, remember to anchor your life to the stable and consistent relationship you have in Christ. He is your source of strength. Jesus is the reason for every season of life. Rest in Him and revel in His love. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Grace for the Race
“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Gal 2:21 (NIV) You need grace for the race called life. In Christ, we have experienced the mercy of God in that God did not give us what we deserved. We deserved separation, alienation, and punishment for our sin. God extended His mercy to us by not counting our sins against us. We also are recipients of God’s grace. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. We do not deserve God’s forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. We do not deserve heaven, eternal life, and God’s abiding peace. God graced us with these precious gifts. The same grace that saved you from your sin is needed in living the life God has for you. Paul acknowledged that righteousness could not be gained through the law. Human effort falls woefully short of God’s standard of perfection. God chose to punish sin by allowing Jesus to die on the cross in your place. The penalty for your sin has been paid in full by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. God’s gracious act of redemption benefits your life personally and eternally. You will not have to face a Christless eternity. Now that you have been saved by grace through faith alone in Jesus, your eternity in heaven with Jesus is secure. If you could gain righteousness through the law, then Christ died in vain. God was willing to meet you at your greatest point of need and He applied His grace. You have been given God’s riches at Christ’s expense. That’s GRACE! The grace of God saves you and the grace of God keeps you. What are you currently facing that requires the fullness of the grace of God? His grace is more than sufficient! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20 (NIV) You cannot live the Christian life. Keep trying! Keep seeking to measure up to God’s standard of perfection! You will always miss the mark and fall short of the standard established by God. Even on your best day, your righteousness will not be sufficient to gain entrance into heaven where God allows no sin. Paul identified his spiritual union with Christ. Though Paul did not experience the physical crucifixion with Christ, he did experience the benefits of the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Instead of Paul seeking to live the Christian life in his own strength, he lived by faith in the Son of God. Paul became a vessel through which Jesus could live His life through him. The life God had for Paul included full surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Have you come into union with Christ? Have you been crucified with Christ, died to self, and allowed Christ to live His life through you? The life you now live in your earthly body is to be lived by faith in the Son of God. Jesus loves you and gave His life for you. Jesus died in your place so that you could live in His place. You have been given a heavenly mission from God to allow Jesus to manifest His life in you and through you to a watching world. Become a fully devoted follower of Christ. Yield to His Lordship and to His leadership in your life. Submit to His authority and unleash His power. Living by faith in the Son of God releases God’s power. Christ is in you and He is the hope of glory (Col 1:27). Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Justified by Faith
“Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.” Gal 2:16 (NIV) The law of God exposes the reality of our sin. Paul writes in his letter to those in Rome, “Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law” (Rm 7:7 NIV). Though the law illuminates the presence of sin in our lives, it lacks the power to remove sin from our lives. We are justified by faith in Christ. When I came into union with Christ, it was “just-if-I’d” never sinned. God now views me through the shed blood of Jesus. Before placing my faith in Jesus alone for salvation, I was guilty. Once I experienced the divine transaction of turning from my sin and trusting in Jesus, God declared me not guilty. My sin was removed and the righteousness of Christ was imputed to my account. When you trust in Jesus alone for salvation, God declares you not guilty. Justification is an act whereby God declares you righteous. The righteousness of Christ is deposited into your account. You are justified by faith in Christ. In Christ, you are a new creation. Your past has been forgiven. Your present reality is that of being robed in the righteousness of Christ. Walk in your new identity in Christ. You are a child of the King! Your future is secure in Christ. Don’t let the devil juggle your joy or plunder your peace. Anchor your faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Build a bridge to other people who need to be justified by faith in Christ! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Reverse the Curse
“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:18-19 (NIV) How would God reverse the curse sin produced? What would God do to restore fallen humanity? The most incredible display of unconditional love became God’s response to man’s sin. God provided for the removal of our sin through the sacrifice of His only Son. God allowed Jesus to pay our sin debt in full and to purchase our salvation. The shedding of blood was essential for the forgiveness of our sin. God chose to sacrifice an animal to provide garments of skin for Adam and Eve after their fall (Gen. 3:21). God took the initiative to reconcile and to restore them through the shedding of blood. Adam and Eve still had to face the natural consequences of their sin. They were still banished from the garden and Adam had to work the ground (Gen. 3:23). Through Adam’s sin, condemnation came to us all. As a result, we are born in sin and inherit the sin nature. However, through the obedience of Jesus on the cross, we are made righteous. Upon our trusting in Jesus alone for salvation, we receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. We are justified through faith, receive peace from God, and gain access into His grace (Rom. 5:1-2). The righteousness of Christ is deposited into our account. We are reconciled to God through the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus paid it all! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Heb 9:27-28 (NIV) In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the high priest would enter the holy of holies once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for the sins of his family and for all the people. One goat would be chosen to be sacrificed for the Lord and one goat would become the scapegoat (Lev. 16:10). The blood from the goat sacrificed as a sin offering would be sprinkled throughout the altar, sanctuary, and tent of meeting to remove defilements of the past year. The high priest would then place his hands on the head of the scapegoat and symbolically transfer the sins of the people to it. The scapegoat, also known as the goat of removal, would be led away from the people into the desert to picture the removal of sins. Jesus bore our sins on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus took our punishment for sin to satisfy God’s justice. In His mercy, Christ was sacrificed to remove our sins. Our sin debt has been paid in full and our salvation purchased through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus became our scapegoat to take away our sins. Have you confessed your sins? Have your received God’s provision for the forgiveness of your sins? Spend some time thanking Jesus for the removal of your sins. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” Dan 10:2-3 (NIV) The most common fast among believers is the partial fast. You choose to eliminate certain foods from your diet for a specific time in order to draw near to God. You can choose to give up all types of meat and only eat vegetables for a season. When you participate in a partial fast, you continue to drink fluids and you may also choose to eat certain foods. A partial fast could include suspending the consumption of coffee for a specified period of time. It could be a choice to abstain from desserts and other sweets for a season in order to seek God. Daniel chose to go on a partial fast for twenty-one days. God honored his commitment and gave Daniel a special revelation. Daniel was known for drawing near to God and seeking God’s agenda. The Lord honored Daniel’s obedience and devotion. You may want to consider embracing a partial fast where you eat the evening meal and then drink only water and juice until the following evening meal twenty-four hours later. You can spend breakfast and lunch praying and reading the Bible. Instead of feasting on food during those two meals, you can maximize that time by feasting on God’s Word. As you fast, consider journaling your journey with God. Write down or type what God shows you during the fast. Be sensitive to God’s activity and take note of what you are sensing from God. He may give you a specific verse from the Bible to meditate on. God may identify a relationship in your life that needs attention. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” Esth 4:15-16 (NIV) There are times when God will lead you into an absolute fast. This type of fast is characterized by abstaining from food and drink for a set amount of time. You have to be very careful with this kind of fast and make certain that God has called you to it. Going any extended length of time without water can be detrimental to your health. Be certain that God has called you into this type fast. Esther sensed the heaviness of the reality of her circumstances and was willing to invite her people to fast for her. She committed to a three day absolute fast along with them in preparation for standing before the king. Esther was willing to put her life at risk by standing before the king. Her boldness was fueled by the abiding connection she had with God through the spiritual discipline of fasting. Fasting and prayer go together. You can pray and not fast, but you cannot fast without praying if it is to be a biblical fast. God calls you to a fast so that you can passionately pursue Him and place your dependency upon Him. Do you need to hear from God concerning a situation you are facing? Are you in need of God’s wisdom and guidance? God may call you to an absolute fast to remove your dependency upon other things and to enable you to focus your attention on His provision. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.” Luke 4:1-2 (NIV) God has blessed us with an appetite for food. Food fuels our body so that we cannot only survive, but thrive in this life God has for us. We crave food because our bodies need the nutrients food provides. We hunger for food and thirst for water. Our appetite drives us to eat and drink. Jesus had an appetite for food. He ate and drank to provide His body with the nutrients necessary to sustain life. Yet, Jesus was led by the Spirit to go on a forty day fast in the wilderness. During this time, Jesus did not eat anything. This type of fasting is considered the normal type of fasting in the Bible. Fasting for forty days is not normal, but abstaining from food for a season is normal for the follower of Jesus Christ. Have you ever gone on a fast? What was your experience like? What was the purpose behind the fast? God will call you to a fast so that you can draw near to Him. You choose to forego your desire for food in order to spend that time concentrating on praying, reading the Bible, and consecrating your life before the Lord. Instead of hungering for food, you re-direct your appetite to feasting on God. As you fast, you deliberately pursue God’s presence and yield to His prompting. If you sense God calling you to a normal fast, be sure to drink lots of water and consider a consistent intake of pure juices. Abstaining from food will challenge your self-control and test your faith. Rely on God’s strength to enable you to fast and to seek His face. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Fasting God’s Way
“‘But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’” Matt 6:17-18 (NIV) Giving and praying are commanded in God’s Word. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to fast in preparation for the Day of Atonement. Nowhere else in the Bible is fasting commanded. Jesus completed His atoning work on the cross to provide the removal of our sin and the restoration of our relationship with God. Fasting is voluntary. Jesus made it clear that fasting should be a normal spiritual discipline in the life of a believer. Just as giving and praying flow out of our love relationship with Christ, so fasting is to be a normal practice in the life of every child of God. We are not to fast in order to be praised by others, but rather to concentrate on our relationship with the Lord. The hypocrites in Jesus’ day would fast to be seen of men. They fed their approval addiction by fasting publicly on Monday and Thursdays when the market was overflowing with the masses. They received their reward, namely, the praise of men, but bypassed the reward of God. They got what they were looking for! There is no need to put your spiritual discipline of fasting on display for others to see. John Piper has identified that there is a difference between fasting to be seen and being seen fasting. Fasting is to be done in secret to allow you to pursue God and to deepen your love relationship with Him. God will reward what is done in secret. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Choose the Right Path
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Prov 14:12 (NIV) Decisions determine direction and direction determines destination. Life is filled with incremental decisions that place you on a particular path. You can be living in the center of God’s will and make one small decision that causes you to divert from the path God has for you. Think about the condition of your relationships. Measure the health of your relationship with Christ, your relationship with your spouse, your relationship with your children, and your relationship with others. The decisions you make impact the level of health in each of these relationships. One decision can enhance your relationships or hinder your relationships. Assess where you are right now in your life. How did you get to where you are? You are a product of the choices you make. When you chose to trust in Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, your forever changed. You made a spiritual decision that placed you in a right relationship with Christ. Consider the choices you made academically to position yourself for a bright future. The location of your residence is a result of a decision you made. Sometimes the choices others make impact you directly. Perhaps someone in your family made a poor choice that led them down a path filled with consequences. You are now reaping a portion of what they have sown. God will give you the grace to navigate that path. Remember, if God allows it, He will use it! If God allowed the consequences to drift in your direction, He will use them for your good and His glory. Walk in unbroken fellowship with the Lord and ask Him to enable you to discern His will. Ask the Lord to illuminate the path He wants you to take for His glory. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Praying for Our Nation
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim 2:1-4 (NIV) Revival is for believers who have become apathetic toward the things of God. Revival is designed by God to restore a believer’s passion and hunger for God and His agenda. When revival comes, it produces a byproduct known as a spiritual awakening. While revival is for believers, a spiritual awakening impacts unbelievers and brings them to the place of transformation. You can pray for a spiritual awakening to occur by praying evangelistically. You will personally be revived as you renew your passion for lost souls. As your soul consciousness is elevated, your awareness of God’s Presence and your awareness of His redemptive activity will be heightened. Pray for everyone, including national leaders and those in authority, that they may come to know the Lord personally. The only way for our nation to genuinely change is for the lost to get saved and have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Be sure to pray a prayer of thanksgiving for those who are already following Christ and leading our nation with character and integrity. This pleases God and brings Him glory. God wants everyone to be saved. He has provided the only way for men, women, boys, and girls to be born again. Jesus is the way! Can you imagine our nation fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ? Can you envision our nation passionate about pursuing God daily and living for His glory? Join me in praying for that vision to become a reality. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Home Makeover
“’Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?’” 2 Sam 23:5 (NIV) These were the last words of King David. His life was decorated with a colorful past and a perpetual reaping of what he had sown. David was known as a man after God’s own heart. His question is worthy of our consideration. Is not your house right with God? Let’s think through that question in two layers. The first layer reminds us that your body is a house. In fact, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Is your body right with God both spiritually and physically? Are you feeding your house spiritually? Are you walking with God and giving evidence to a growing relationship with Christ? Examine your life physically. Are you embracing a healthy lifestyle including proper diet and exercise? Let’s transition to the second layer of this question. Is not your house right with God? Think in terms of your family. How’s your marriage? How’s your parenting? Is your home a holy place where God is honored and where your family is encouraged to grow spiritually? Is your house in order spiritually? Getting your house right with God begins with your daily intimacy with Christ. Your private time alone with the Lord is the secret to getting your house right with God. In the solitude of daily intimacy with God, you will learn to hear His voice and respond to His prompting. When something in your life or in your family is out of order, the Holy Spirit will bring that to your attention specifically. Consecrate yourself before the Lord and allow Him to illuminate the areas of your life and your family that need adjusting. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Shaped by the Potter
“But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands…” Jer 18:4 (NIV) Whenever you purchase an item that has an “as is” tag on it, you accept the fact that it may be flawed. In other words, the item may not be perfect. The beauty of salvation is that God accepted us “as is” and brought us into a vibrant love relationship with Himself to move us from “as is” to “what could be” in His hands. Yes! We were marred in His hands. But, He lovingly and patiently removes the imperfections of our attitude, behavior, and speech. Being on the Potter’s wheel can be painful at times. As God allows us to go through suffering and sorrow in this life, the areas of our life that do not reflect Christlikeness will be dealt with. God will grow us through the pain. He will mold us and shape us through adversity. Bathsheba endured some difficult seasons in her life. She experienced loneliness, grief, delays, disappointment, and shattered dreams. Yet, God redeemed all of those seasons in her life to bring her into a deeper relationship with Himself. She would have never become a Proverbs 31 woman without the adversity that God allowed her to face. She was marred in His hands. As a result of the loving touch of the Potter’s hands, she became a masterpiece! Are you on the Potter’s wheel? Be patient. Allow God to mold you. He took you “as is” and He is shaping you for eternal significance. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Keep Your Word
“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matt 5:37 (NIV) Decide to live a life of integrity. My favorite description of integrity is when the tongue in your mouth lines up with the tongue in your shoe. Moses demonstrated integrity by refusing to succumb to the gravitational pull of instant gratification. King David shepherded his people with integrity of heart. Jesus is the model of integrity. Living a life of integrity includes keeping your word. There’s no need to prop up your words by swearing or making a verbal promise. Simply let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no.” Be a person of your word. When you give your word on something it should be validated by a lifestyle of credibility. You build your credibility through honesty, consistency, and transparency. “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” Heb 11:25 (NIV) “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” Psalm 78:72 (NIV) Don’t give the devil a foothold. Don’t give the devil an entry point to dilute your devotion to the Lord or to compromise your integrity. Guard your heart. Protect your mind. Seek to become more and more like Christ each day. The clarity of your integrity will be elevated through Christlikeness. When Jesus reigns in your life, you will reign with integrity in this life. Refuse to be mixed in your motives. Keep your motives pure before God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Portray Christ
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:48 (NIV) In the language of the New Testament, the word perfect (Greek: telios) means nothing necessary for completion, finished, mature, complete, having reached the end. Upon conversion, you received the imputed righteousness of Christ. You were made fit for heaven. The righteousness of Christ was deposited into your account. From the moment of conversion on, you embrace the process of becoming who you are in Christ. You begin to workout what God has worked in. “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Col 1:28 (NIV) “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:21-24 (NIV) God’s standard is perfection. In your human effort, you will never measure up to God’s standard. Jesus has met the standard on your behalf. The Christian life is not about your ability to live up to God’s standard. The Christian life is about surrendering to the Lordship of Christ and allowing Him to live His life through you. You are a vessel through which the life of Christ is portrayed to a watching world. Have you given Jesus full access to every area of your life? Is there anything in your life that inhibits the fruit of the Spirit from being evidenced through your life? Confess known sin, receive God’s forgiveness, and allow Christ to portray His life through you each moment of every day. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Protect Your Castle
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” Matt 5:31-32 (NIV) Jesus affirmed the value of marriage. Instead of committing your life to your spouse for a season and then looking for an exit, seek to finish together. Marriage is hard work. We are by nature self-centered and self-absorbed. In marriage, you move from me to we. You move from serving yourself to serving your spouse. Protect your private castle. In other words, protect your marriage relationship. You are in a covenant relationship with your spouse before Almighty God. Here’s one of the many ways to protect your private castle. Delete divorce from your vocabulary. Seek to eliminate divorce as an option when things get tough in your marriage relationship. Don’t allow divorce to be your first option. When you go through a difficult season, seek outside help. Secure a godly Christian counselor and allow that person to help you navigate the path to restoration. I am so blessed to have a godly mother who loves the Lord and has served Him faithfully. When I was about seven years old, my godly mother had to make a very difficult decision to divorce my dad due to his excessive alcohol abuse and violence. Divorce was not my mother’s first choice. She exhausted every other option available to her at that time, but she had to ultimately divorce my dad to protect the safety and security of our home and family. Divorce is painful and has perpetual consequences. If you have gone through a divorce, know that God still has a plan for your life. You are not defined by your divorce. Your value has already been established by what God did for you in Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:2-5 (NIV) How do you serve your enemies? Serving those you love can be a challenge at times. Can you imagine trying to serve those who are against you? Jesus did! Look at His servitude demonstrated during the Last Supper. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him. Jesus knew that Judas would be used by the devil. Yet, Jesus chose to serve Judas by washing his feet. Read John 13:3 again. Jesus knew who He was and whose He was. Jesus anchored His identity to the rock of His Father’s will. Jesus knew that He came from God and was returning to God. There’s power in knowing who you are and whose you are. There’s significant security in knowing your true identity and your purpose for existence. God did not create you to live in isolation. God created you to live in genuine relationship with Jesus and to continue His ministry on the earth. Serving your enemies is a byproduct of knowing your true identity in Christ. Once you recognize that you are designed by God and for His glory, the activity of serving your enemies becomes an extension of your love relationship with Jesus. You are simply living out your God-given purpose. You are placed right where you are to continue the ministry of Jesus. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Pray For Your Enemies
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matt 5:44-45 (NIV) Several years ago I had lunch with a seasoned pastor who had started a church with twelve people and it had grown to become the largest church in Louisiana. At the end of our time together, I asked Pastor Roy Stockstill, “After all your years of ministry experience, what would you say to me as a thirty-one year old pastor?” He looked me in the eyes and placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “People are not the enemy!” That statement resonated with me and encouraged me in my journey as a pastor. Over the years, I have added a phrase to that statement to help me maintain God’s perspective. People are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Take a moment and identify the people the enemy has used to discourage you or to distract you in your walk with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us as His followers to love and pray for our enemies. We are to reciprocate the love we have received from God and we are to pray for those who persecute us. When you pray for your enemies, you begin to view them from God’s perspective and recognize His love for them. God has a plan for your life and for those who are currently your enemies. Pray for them to come into a vibrant love relationship with Jesus so they can know Him personally and eternally just as you do. Who do you need to pray for today? Remember, people are not the enemy, but the enemy uses people. Love them. Pray for them. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Giving an Account
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Cor 5:10 (NIV) What you do with Christ during your brief stay on planet earth will determine whether you spend eternity in heaven or hell. Your response to God’s offer of salvation is the deciding factor to your eternal destination. As Bruce Wilkinson says, “Your belief determines where you will spend eternity; your behavior determines how you will spend eternity.” “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Romans 14:10 (NIV) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11 (NIV) Every human being will stand before God to give an account for his or her life. Every person will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Those who reject God’s offer of salvation while living on earth will still bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but it will be eternally too late. Believers will go to the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive reward and heaven while unbelievers will go to the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15) to receive punishment and hell. Live circumspectly! Live in full awareness of God’s holiness, purity, and justice! Take as many people with you to heaven as you possibly can in full surrender to the Spirit’s control. Make the most of every opportunity! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Pain and Growth
“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.” Gen 32:24-25 (NIV) Have you ever wrestled with God? Who won? Wrestling is part of being God’s workmanship. Jacob, as God’s workmanship, came to know God in a new way after a night of wrestling. Just like in weight training, without resistance there is no growth. God allows us to go through seasons of uncertainty. God allows us to experience seasons of silence and yes, even seasons of suffering. We wrestle with God in those seasons. Our faith is challenged and often our prayer life is stretched. We come to know God by experience. Sometimes that experience involves pain. As God’s workmanship, Jacob came away from the night of wrestling with a limp and a new name. You don’t come into close proximity with the living God and leave the same. God gave Jacob the name Israel, which means God prevails. Jacob was known as a deceiver, but God gave him a new name to live up to. Jacob would become the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. God is for you. He is willing to go to any length to bring you into a vibrant, intimate, and growing relationship that is personal and eternal. God will pursue you and groom you so that you will be conformed into the image of Christ. Your life matters to God. After you encounter the Living God, you may walk with a limp to remind you of His daily provision. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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God’s Sovereignty
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:11-12 (NIV) Has your life ever become complicated and messy? Have you traveled down a road you never thought you would view? Living in a fallen world tends to cause us to experience unexpected turns in life. Either we make poor choices or the decisions of others negatively affect us. It may be a relationship that has diverted into unhealthy patterns or personal behaviors that drift away from God’s best. The good news is that God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns. He always has the final say in any and every situation. Even when you make a disastrous move, God can orchestrate your path for your good and His glory. Notice how our Bible verse says that God works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will. He is God! There is nothing that is impossible with Him. He can handle your situation. He can handle your relationships. God orchestrates everything we encounter to bring about His will. Right now your current challenge may seem like an uphill climb dragging two dead elephants. God can take any difficult situation and orchestrate the details to conform to His plan. Are you willing to surrender your hurts, your frustrations, your disappointments, and your fears to God? Release them and entrust them to God’s sovereign care. He is the master conductor in the orchestra called life. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Living in Two Worlds
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Gal 5:16-17 (NIV) Every believer is living in two worlds: the world of the Spirit or the world of the sinful nature. Light and darkness abound. They are in conflict with each other. As a result, the believer has to combat the gravitational pull of the sinful nature. At salvation, a believer receives the Holy Spirit and is made fit for heaven. However, the believer retains the sinful nature and must daily crucify the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Have you been combating the cravings of the flesh? Have you noticed that your sinful nature is addicted to sin? However, you must daily crucify the flesh. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24 NIV). In Christ, you must starve the flesh. Whatever you feed grows and whatever you starve dies. Feed the Spirit living in you and starve the cravings of your sinful nature. Do not be a slave to sin. Choose to be a slave to righteousness. Pray with me: Father, thank You for redeeming me from my sin. You have rescued me from this body of death. You have brought me out of the kingdom of darkness and placed me in the kingdom of Light. Help me to crucify the sinful nature and to live by the Spirit. Enable me to live the Christ-centered life in the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to finish strong for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Choose to Serve
“’The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.’“ John 12:25-26 (NIV) Why did you wake up this morning? What are you giving your life to today? Who are you living for? God is working all things together for His glory and for your good. Today matters! God desires to conform you into the image of Christ. Christlikeness does not come without your willingness to fully surrender your life to the Holy Spirit’s control. As you choose to lose your life, the life of Christ becomes more evident in you. Consider embracing the attitude of servitude. Allow Jesus to live His life in you and through you. There’s room only for one to take the reins to your life. Will you give Jesus His rightful place in your life? You cannot live the life God has for you apart from Christ in you. Even on your best day, you will come up short of God’s perfection. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal 2:20 (NIV) “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col 1:27 (NIV) Live by faith in the Son of God. Christ is in you and He is the hope of glory. Surrender to the Lordship of Christ and continue to follow His lead. Victory in this life comes through daily surrender to the One who gave His life for you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“’I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’“ John 12:24 (NIV) Are you dying to live? God has placed within you unlimited potential. God created you to share His love and to shine His light. Your life purpose is to bring glory to God. There’s no higher calling and there’s no greater commission to give your life to than that of bringing glory to God. Are you living the life God has given? The seed must die. In order for the potential within the seed to be unleashed, the seed must die. Without death, the seed will not germinate. Growth and development are dependent upon the seed dying. In the life of the believer, death to self is vital. The child of God must surrender his or her personal agenda, personal aspirations, and personal ambitions. Choosing to sacrifice your personal preferences in light of God’s best for you is a crucial decision. “Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.’“ Gen 22:2 (NIV) Is there an “Isaac” in your life that God wants you to be willing to sacrifice? Is there something in your life that needs to die in order for you to live the life God has for you? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’“ John 12:23 (NIV) Victory comes through surrender. Our culture teaches you to take control of your life. Be the best! Give it your all! Get all you can! Be happy! Win at all costs! Reality shows have glamorized the self-centered life. The persistent themes suggest that your best life is all about you and what you can acquire during your short stay on this planet. Jesus demonstrated the opposite pursuit. Jesus left it all in Heaven so that He could come to earth, live and die a sinless death, be resurrected on the third day, and ascend back to His Father in Heaven. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. Jesus oriented His life around the centrality of bringing glory to God. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 (NIV) “’Father, glorify your name!’“ John 12:28 (NIV) Jesus willingly put others first. He willingly endured the agony of crucifixion and looked to the resulting outcome of saving mankind and bringing glory to God. Your best life is not your life! Victory comes through surrender. Are you willing to follow the example of Christ and place God’s agenda first in your life? Are you willing to reflect honor to God? Live in such a way that those who know you, but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Be Alert
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Cor 16:13 (NIV) Get on your toes and be aware, be alert, and be armed. The Devil is real. Spiritual warfare is a reality of the life God has for you. This is not a time to embrace spiritual apathy or lethargy. Choose to live in the opposition readiness mode. God has given you everything you need to reign victoriously in this life. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Eph 6:18 (NIV) Get on your knees and pray. Praying is like flying; when you stop you drop! Nothing will keep you standing like kneeling before the Lord. Prayer is your life-line. Prayer is your communication connection to the Commander-in-Chief. Stay close and clean. Strive for unbroken fellowship with God. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim 6:12 (NIV) Get on your feet and fight. Move from the posture of kneeling in prayer to that of standing to your feet to face the enemy. The armor of God will protect you. God has armed you for battle. Stand firm! Fight the good fight! You may lose some battles, but as a child of the King, you win the war! Satan has been defeated! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell