Victory

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The way Peter separated himself from Jesus was to cuss!
What a lesson that is for us this morning. I was doing some reading and it was like the Lord stepped right out and said, “What is in your life that separates you from Me?”
Matthew 26:74, “Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” (KJV)
Peter was afraid. No doubt when Jesus looked him in the eye, he was immediately repentant. Not like one who gets caught doing as he always does but like one who has disappointed the One he claims to love.
The world is filled with the illogical. It is contradictory. I’ll offer one example. In Bible study last night, it was mentioned that the internet is great for a lot of things like how to install a fixture in the home or change the oil in a lawnmower. Even then, you have to be careful who you listen to. It is also a virtual birthplace for the deception, fraud and underhandedness. It is all of this that leads to more and more confusion. The Bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. But I think some find it so hard to accept peace because they no longer trust the package that it comes in.
I guess you’re wondering where that came from. Let me try to explain it this way. Do you know how big a contradiction it is to believe that one can party it up on Saturday then go to church on Sunday? If you are a believer who sees nothing wrong with that, you have been deceived. And, I’d wager that you have no peace because it’s the contradictions in your life, a lack of surety or guarantee that consumes a large part of your thinking. You’re trying to make right what isn’t. Been there, done that. Never works. Believe me, the mind is where the aggravation starts and when something ain’t right, just like Peter, a man knows it ain’t right.
The Word of God, the Bible, will teach us to find the truth. Even in the deception. It is focused on one subject and that is life eternal with the Father. God has set the requirements for us to live in His house. The gift of salvation is free to all who will accept it. The Word tells us how to live in His grace.
So ask yourself this morning what is in your life that separates you from Jesus. What in your own life is illogical and contradictory to the word of God? What is it that when it’s preached on, causes you to be upset and unsettled?
Give it to God. Let Him heal that divide today. Let Him have your burden today. Jesus will give you the victory. He said in His word, “…if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Have a great Thursday!
I love ya!
-Pastor Butch

Weekly Encouragement 

3/1/26

written by Frank Gupton

 

His light shines on every situation your will ever face.   Live radiantly by expanding your focus to include Christ in all your moments.  Let nothing dampen your search for the Lord!  Psalm 27:8  "when you said, "Seek My face."  My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."   "Seek Him and Live."  Amos 5:4 

 
Whatever way you leave it that’s how it’ll always be!
Simple statement. Could apply to a lot of things, for sure.
 
For example, if you work on something and it calls for four bolts and you only put in three chances are, so will the next guy. Eventually though, I reckon you could go back and fix that. There are likely tons of things that we’ve left with the intention of getting back to them and just haven’t yet done it.
 
Have you ever given thought to the fact that you ought to pay attention to the last thing that you say to a person that you love? Let me ask another way. When is it okay for us to say whatever inappropriate thing pops in our heads? Especially where it might hurt someone. Anyone. I think you know that answer. It’s never okay.
 
Sometimes you can’t take it back. “That’s not what I meant” might not be good enough.
And…what if the last thing you say is the last thing they hear? Seems I think about this a lot these days. The older I get the more I think our words mean something. Especially where it concerns the people that we love.
You never know when goodbye might be the last thing they hear.
 
Sometimes I wish others thought more about that. And sometimes…things that can go without saying…should probably just that.
 
So speak positively into the life of people. All people. Nothing wrong with leaving a legacy of kindness.
It’s the words we leave behind that live the longest.
-Pastor Butch
 
 
No amount will help you if you can’t control the words that come out of your mouth.
 
Proverbs 10:19
"When words are many, sin is unavoidable; but he who restrains his lips is wise".
 
 
 
"Being offended is inevitable.
Living offended is a choice."
 
I think it's kind of like going for a steak.
 
Mad is the cheapest cut but it's as tough as shoe leather.
 
Peace is the more expensive but it's as tender as a mother's love.
 
I'll take peace.
 
Psalm 4:8: "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
 

Psalms 91:14-16, “The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
 
For some, it would seem their faith stops when they leave the church. That’s dangerous.
 
Faith is complete trust and confidence in someone or something. The Bible defines faith as trust and assurance in the Lord and His promises.
 
So faith that is short-lived or used only when called upon reveals a trust issue. Lack of depth or devotion may be why you aren’t seeing reward.
 
Just like muscle, your spiritual foundation will begin to collapse if it’s not continually reinforced. You won’t notice at first. Then the day will come when it will not hold you.
 
Faith that never goes beyond the surface also never experiences the power to rise. Thusly, folks that are superficial in their relationship with God never make it past entry level before they flame out.
 
They cannot rise for spending all their time cleaning up the messes they continue to make which may not have been there had they sought the Lord’s protection.
 
What Jesus has made available to us is more than table scraps. In Him, you have the power to keep rising. By that, you can be unaffected by the world’s attempts to bring you into the frivolous and the trivial.
 
Remember this: 90% obedience is still disobedience. And, partial obedience is found in a lack of faith.
 
-Pastor Butch