Let me speak to your conscience. Where is your zeal? Where is your zeal for the glory of God, and for extending the Gospel throughout the world? You know well, that it is very low. You know well, that your zeal is a little feeble glimmering spark, that just lives, and no more—it is like a thing ready to die. Surely there is a fault somewhere, if this is the case. This state of things ought not to be. You, the child of God—you, redeemed at so glorious a price—you, ransomed with such precious blood—you, who are an heir of glory such as no tongue ever yet told, or eye saw; surely you ought to be a man of another kind. Surely your zeal ought not to be so small.
~ J.C. Ryle
We need to first look at the word zeal. What does it mean? If you look it up in dictionary this is what you would get::
–noun
fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor.
A few things to think about?
.. Am I really zealous for the glory of God to be made known?
where is my devotion, eagerness, verve, fervor, sincerity, and or passion for the glory of God?
.. Am I really zealous about extending the Gospel?
where is my devotion, eagerness, verve, fervor, sincerity, and or passion for the Gospel
Our devotion, eagerness, verve, fervor, sincerity, and or passion for the glory of God and the Gospel must be more than just a glimmering spark. Remember, as a Christ Follower, you are redeemed, you are ransomed, and you are HIS
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
UTHconnect~July 27
UTHconnect~July 27
GFchurch
GFchurch
1 John 3
God loves us and makes us His children
We need to want to be like Him
He came to take away sin
The righteous do right things
We have new life as a believer
We are called to love
We love because we are His
We love by action
Trent Brown, Lead Pastor
Gateway Fellowship
Sent from my iPhone
Ten Things To Focus On
I wanted to share this blog post with you from Perry Noble pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina.
#1 – He called you…and it wasn’t to get to this place so He can drop you on your face! (Philippians 1:6)
#2 – He WILL build HIS church! (Matthew 16:18)
#3 – He did not necessarily promise to deliver you from the fire…but He did promise to walk with you through it! (Isaiah 43:1-3)
#4 – There is MORE in STORE for your life and ministry! (Hosea 10:12)
#5 – When we obey the voice of God we are unstoppable (Joel 2:11)
#6 – Have courage, be strong, don’t back down from what He has called you to do! (I Corinthians 16:13)
#7 – God didn’t call you because of your greatness but rather because of HIS…and HE’S STILL GREAT despite at times you may feel like you are not! (II Corinthians 4:1)
#8 – “This” problem will NOT destroy you! (II Corinthians 4:8-9)
#9 – STOP comparing yourself to others…the same God who called and empowered them did the same for you! (Galatians 2:8)
#10 – STOP praying for protection…PRAY FOR BOLDNESS!!! (Acts 4:29-31)
#1 – He called you…and it wasn’t to get to this place so He can drop you on your face! (Philippians 1:6)
#2 – He WILL build HIS church! (Matthew 16:18)
#3 – He did not necessarily promise to deliver you from the fire…but He did promise to walk with you through it! (Isaiah 43:1-3)
#4 – There is MORE in STORE for your life and ministry! (Hosea 10:12)
#5 – When we obey the voice of God we are unstoppable (Joel 2:11)
#6 – Have courage, be strong, don’t back down from what He has called you to do! (I Corinthians 16:13)
#7 – God didn’t call you because of your greatness but rather because of HIS…and HE’S STILL GREAT despite at times you may feel like you are not! (II Corinthians 4:1)
#8 – “This” problem will NOT destroy you! (II Corinthians 4:8-9)
#9 – STOP comparing yourself to others…the same God who called and empowered them did the same for you! (Galatians 2:8)
#10 – STOP praying for protection…PRAY FOR BOLDNESS!!! (Acts 4:29-31)
Reflections From Sunday
This Sunday we looked at part6 of our series over The Beatitudes. It is a tremendous joy to serve along side the team here and I am always blessed to see what the Lord is doing in, to and through those who are a part of our community. Scott Finch did a great job leading us in worship this past Sunday. If you were not able to be with us, you can catch the video of the service here at GatewayTV
Here is what we looked at this past Sunday::
July 25, 2010~ The Beatitudes part6
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
mer·cy~ as defined by Webster
1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
—Synonyms
1. forgiveness, indulgence, clemency, leniency, lenity, tenderness, mildness.
—Antonyms
1. cruelty.
The Greek word for 'mercy' within the New Testament simply means this: 'to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable
The first four beatitudes that we've been studying over the past weeks center upon the inner principles that deal with how you are before God, how you are yourself.
From the fifth Beatitude on, these cease to deal with, primarily, how we are within ourselves before God, but they begin to deal with how we are before our brothers and sisters, and our attitudes to those around us.
The first four are inner attitudes, the last four are inner attitudes that manifest themselves outwardly.
* mercy - grace
often, within the New Testament especially, there is a distinction between the meaning of grace and the meaning of mercy.
* mercy - compassion
Mercy is not simply feeling compassionate.
Look at Luke 10~ The Good Samaratan
.
* mercy - forgiveness
How does mercy relate to forgiveness?
Look at the story of Joseph
Who is the greatest person that ever showed mercy?
... the Lord Jesus Christ! The most merciful human being that ever lived, because he went after the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the lame, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the drunkards, the weak little children.
Why should we be merciful?
Mark Your Calendars::
~August 15, 2010 Celebration Sunday
~August 21, 2010 Men's Breakfast
~August 20-21, 2010 Women of Faith Conf.
~September 5, 2010 Vision Sunday
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite UTHconnect @ 7pm @ The Brown's
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Here is what we looked at this past Sunday::
July 25, 2010~ The Beatitudes part6
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5"Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
mer·cy~ as defined by Webster
1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
—Synonyms
1. forgiveness, indulgence, clemency, leniency, lenity, tenderness, mildness.
—Antonyms
1. cruelty.
The Greek word for 'mercy' within the New Testament simply means this: 'to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable
The first four beatitudes that we've been studying over the past weeks center upon the inner principles that deal with how you are before God, how you are yourself.
From the fifth Beatitude on, these cease to deal with, primarily, how we are within ourselves before God, but they begin to deal with how we are before our brothers and sisters, and our attitudes to those around us.
The first four are inner attitudes, the last four are inner attitudes that manifest themselves outwardly.
* mercy - grace
often, within the New Testament especially, there is a distinction between the meaning of grace and the meaning of mercy.
* mercy - compassion
Mercy is not simply feeling compassionate.
Look at Luke 10~ The Good Samaratan
.
* mercy - forgiveness
How does mercy relate to forgiveness?
Look at the story of Joseph
Who is the greatest person that ever showed mercy?
... the Lord Jesus Christ! The most merciful human being that ever lived, because he went after the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the lame, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the drunkards, the weak little children.
Why should we be merciful?
Mark Your Calendars::
~August 15, 2010 Celebration Sunday
~August 21, 2010 Men's Breakfast
~August 20-21, 2010 Women of Faith Conf.
~September 5, 2010 Vision Sunday
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite UTHconnect @ 7pm @ The Brown's
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Monday, July 12, 2010
Reflections From Sunday
It was good being back with the family at Gateway Fellowship this week. After a week long vacation with my beautiful family, I was ready to get back and teach again. This Sunday we looked at part4 of our series over The Beatitudes. It is a tremendous joy to serve along side the team here and I am always blessed to see what the Lord is doing in, to and through those who are a part of our community. Scott Finch did a great job leading us in worship this past Sunday. If you were not able to be with us this past Sunday, you can catch the video of the service here at GatewayTV
Here is what we looked at this past Sunday::
The Beatitudes part4
July 11, 2010
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
* meekness does not equate to weakness
* meekness brings the inheritance of the whole earth.
* meekness, how do I get there
1. esteem others better than yourself
2. your attitude to the word of God
3. your attitude to your brothers and sisters
4. your attitude to those that you disagree with
5. your attitude to the unconvinced (those who are still searching)
Mark Your Calendars::
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~August 20-21, 2010 Women of Faith Conf.
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite UTHconnect @ 7pm @ The Brown's
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Here is what we looked at this past Sunday::
The Beatitudes part4
July 11, 2010
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
* meekness does not equate to weakness
* meekness brings the inheritance of the whole earth.
* meekness, how do I get there
1. esteem others better than yourself
2. your attitude to the word of God
3. your attitude to your brothers and sisters
4. your attitude to those that you disagree with
5. your attitude to the unconvinced (those who are still searching)
Mark Your Calendars::
~July 16-17, 2010 Father/Son Retreat
~August 20-21, 2010 Women of Faith Conf.
ConnectGroup Schedule::
TuesNite UTHconnect @ 7pm @ The Brown's
TuesNite @ 7pm @ The Snow's
WedNite @ 7pm @ The Brown's
SunMorn @ 915am @ GFchurch
I love our church
I love our people
I love what He is doing in us
I love what He is doing to us
I love what He is doing through us
I love that He is not done with us
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Things The Lord Hates
"16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." Proverbs 6: 16-19
As you see stated in the Scripture, these are the things that the Lord hates.
1. haughty eyes
2. lying tongue
3. hands that shed innocent blood
4. a heart that devices wicked plans
5. feet that run to evil
6. a false witness
7. one who sows discord among brothers
Here is the same text as found in The Message:
16-19 Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.
Here is what I am praying today:
Lord give your eyes so that I can see people like You do. Keep me from having eyes full of arrogance. Give me your heart so I can love people like you do. Keep me from having evil thoughts. Give me your mouth so that I can speak like you speak. Keep me from having a tongue that lies. Give me your ears so that I can hear people like you do. Keep me from hearing things in my humanness, but allow me to rely on you Spirit that leads and guides me for Your names sake. Teach me to pursue peace in all that I do and lead me in Your Truth.
As you see stated in the Scripture, these are the things that the Lord hates.
1. haughty eyes
2. lying tongue
3. hands that shed innocent blood
4. a heart that devices wicked plans
5. feet that run to evil
6. a false witness
7. one who sows discord among brothers
Here is the same text as found in The Message:
16-19 Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.
Here is what I am praying today:
Lord give your eyes so that I can see people like You do. Keep me from having eyes full of arrogance. Give me your heart so I can love people like you do. Keep me from having evil thoughts. Give me your mouth so that I can speak like you speak. Keep me from having a tongue that lies. Give me your ears so that I can hear people like you do. Keep me from hearing things in my humanness, but allow me to rely on you Spirit that leads and guides me for Your names sake. Teach me to pursue peace in all that I do and lead me in Your Truth.
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