Category: Relief

Categories
God's Presence Relief Zephaniah

Day of the Lord

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) As a child of the living God, you can look forward to the day of the Lord. In Christ, you have eternal security and you have a perpetual responsibility to invite others into a saving relationship with Jesus. The day of reckoning is approaching when every human being will stand before God to give an account for his or her life. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, God will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you by His love and exult over you with loud singing. You will experience the culmination of your salvation and hear the reassuring words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” 2 Peter 3:10 (ESV) Choose to live in the readiness mode. Live in light of day of the Lord. We have a limited amount of time to share God’s love and to shine God’s light in this dark and decaying world. Those who do not have a personal love relationship with Jesus will experience the dreadful day of the Lord where God’s righteousness will expose the evil deeds of every unregenerate individual. God is in our midst. Join Him in His redemptive activity to rescue the perishing. You are armed with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Put on the full armor of God and go to war for souls! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Presence Relief Zephaniah

Day of the Lord

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) As a child of the living God, you can look forward to the day of the Lord. In Christ, you have eternal security and you have a perpetual responsibility to invite others into a saving relationship with Jesus. The day of reckoning is approaching when every human being will stand before God to give an account for his or her life. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, God will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you by His love and exult over you with loud singing. You will experience the culmination of your salvation and hear the reassuring words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” 2 Peter 3:10 (ESV) Choose to live in the readiness mode. Live in light of day of the Lord. We have a limited amount of time to share God’s love and to shine God’s light in this dark and decaying world. Those who do not have a personal love relationship with Jesus will experience the dreadful day of the Lord where God’s righteousness will expose the evil deeds of every unregenerate individual. God is in our midst. Join Him in His redemptive activity to rescue the perishing. You are armed with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Put on the full armor of God and go to war for souls! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 218:  Zephaniah) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
God's Provision Grace Growth Relief

God Works

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) While you were sleeping, God was working. He does not sleep. God is always at work. His work is continuous and consistent. Whatever you are facing today, God is working. Whatever you are dreading today, God is working. Whatever you are fearing today, God is working. In all things, God works! He takes the initiative. Regardless of how confusing your current circumstance may seem to you, God is at work. He takes the initiative to work for your good and His glory. In all things God works for the good of those who love Him. Do you love Him? Have you been called according to His purpose? Then you can walk in assurance today knowing that in all the things you face, in all the things you are wrestling with, in all the things that seem impossible, God works for your good. He will do what is best for you. He formed you and fashioned you and He will orchestrate all of the circumstances that surround you in order to work for your good. Now that is the favor of God! You are favored by God. You are His treasure. Trust Him. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Categories
Clay God's Provision Intentionality Potential Relief

Living as Clay

“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 Christ-likeness 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

Categories
Forgiveness Memory Relief Sin

Selective Memory

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalms 51:3 (NIV) How’s your memory? Can you remember your favorite vacation from your childhood? Can you remember learning how to swim or braving the high diving board for the first time? Do you remember the day you got your driver’s license? There’s power in memory. Memory can paralyze us with fear or mobilize us to persevere. Memory can blockade us like a brick wall or project us forward like a smooth water slide. It depends on how you utilize your memory. Satan uses memory to ridicule and demean us. He uses our memory to stifle our growth and to discredit our progress. Satan will bring to our minds the darkness of our past in order to cripple us. Yet, where Satan seeks to bring death and destruction, God can bring life and victory! God uses memory to remind us where we would be without His abundant grace and abiding peace. God allows us to remember our sin so that we will know where He brought us from. David acknowledged his sin. David affirmed the reality of sin always being before him in his memory. The question is not: Why do I remember my sin? The question is: What will I do in response to my ability to remember my sin? God wants us to remember that He rescued us from our sin so that we can live the abundant life. So, when Satan reminds you of your past just remind him of God’s provision of cleansing through the shed blood of His Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus! Yes! Now that’s using memory in victory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Categories
Grace Intentionality Relief Reward

Life Instead

“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.” Mark 15:11 (NIV) Have you ever encountered injustice? Have you ever been treated unfairly? I think we have all been there. It hurts! The scars serve as a constant reminder. In our verse today, we find a word that compels us to contemplate. It is the soothing word, “instead.” Let me take this punishment instead of you. Allow me to receive this penalty instead of you. Jesus will be flogged and crucified instead of Barabbas. The innocent man dies in his place. The guilty man goes free. Jesus receives what he doesn’t deserve while Barabbas receives what he doesn’t deserve. Jesus receives death! Barabbas receives life! Is that justice? Should the guilty go free? It depends who takes the initiative. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”(Rm. 5:8 NIV). Christ died instead of us! Yes, while we were still sinners! How can you demonstrate that kind of love? Who in your sphere of influence needs to know what “instead” looks like? Forgive instead of holding a grudge. Show acceptance instead of forging a gap. Offer help instead of ignoring the need. Appreciate Jesus instead of taking Him for granted. It’s your move! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor