Hello everyone,
Sorry I haven't written in a while. Lazy I guess. I want to share a few points that we will be covering in this evening's Bible Study. Have you ever felt that a temptation is too overpowering for you to bear? One thing you should understand. The one who causes the temptation is Satan and he is a liar. God has promised never to allow more on you than He puts within you to handle it. He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome.
Rick Warren, from his book The Purpose Driven Life, shares four biblical principles to help defeat temptation:
1. Refocus your attention on something else. Since temptation begins with a thought, the quickest wayk to defeat it is to turn your attention to something else. The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you. Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman." When a temptation enters your mind, do whatever it takes to refocus on something else.
2. Reveal your struggle to a Christian friend. Find at least one Christian friend you can share your struggles with. Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 tells us that you are better off to have a friend than to be all alone, because if you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
3. Resist the Devil. James 4: 7b says, "Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you." We are not to sit down and take his garbage he throws on us. How do we resist? First, accept Christ as your personal Savior is you are not already saved. You can't fight Satan alone and win. Second, use the Word of God as your weapon. Memorize Scripture so that when temptation comes you can use the Word to hit the Devil. He is not afraid of much but he is fearful of the Word.
4. Realize your vulnerability. Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. Don't let down your guard and think you are beyond certain tempations. Don't get over confident. Jeremiah 17: 9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" That means we are good at fooling ourselves.
Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it.
Have a blessed day,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Push, Push, Push - That's All I Do Is Push
There's the story of the Christian man who lived alone in a cabin in the mountains. He had an intense desire to grow in the Lord so he could do more for Him. He asked God for help. And this is what God told him. "Go to the huge boulder that is in front of your house and push on it every day from daylight until dark." That was God's simple message. Wanting to please God, the man did just as God instructed. Every morning he would get up at the break of dawn and push on that rock as hard as he could until it was dark. He did this for several months, push, push, push, but the boulder would never budge. Finally, the man became so frustrated that he cried out to God and said, "I have done exactly what you instructed. All day long I push this boulder until I am exhausted but it never moves. I don't understand. If this is something that pleases you, why isn't more happening?" God replied to the man and said, "I know the rock hasn't moved with all that pushing you have done but look how much stronger you have become."
Sometimes God allows us to go through circumstances that don't make sense. If He loves us so much, why does this have to happen? What God is saying is, "If you will just trust me through this trial( test, valley, "sifting"), you will be amazed at how much you will grow."
So ladies and gentlemen, let's keep pushing, pushing, and pushing, trusting, trusting, trusting, and faithing, faithing, faithing, and experience the growth God has for us.
Have a blessed day,
Pastor Gary
Sometimes God allows us to go through circumstances that don't make sense. If He loves us so much, why does this have to happen? What God is saying is, "If you will just trust me through this trial( test, valley, "sifting"), you will be amazed at how much you will grow."
So ladies and gentlemen, let's keep pushing, pushing, and pushing, trusting, trusting, trusting, and faithing, faithing, faithing, and experience the growth God has for us.
Have a blessed day,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, January 19, 2006
This Is Friday
Tomorrow is Friday (January 20th)and I'm looking forward to it. Not because it's payday or the last workday of the week, but because it's another day to live. I've got a lot to live for. First, I'm saved. That means I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Each day is a new adventure with Him. Secondly, I have a wonderful family and it's another day to be with them. Third, I have a wonderful church family and it's only a couple of days until I get to be with them.
God made the family before He made church, government, or anything else to do with humans. He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to enjoy life. As long as they stayed away from the forbidden tree they would be happy. But they couldn't resist the temptation to taste the forbidden fruit. Just a little bite. What is that going to hurt?
You too can enjoy life if you fall in love with Christ and stay away from the forbidden things. Life is too short to waste it. Live each day as though it where your last (and it might be)and do all you can to make a good difference in someone's life.
Have a wonderful Friday,
Pastor Gary
God made the family before He made church, government, or anything else to do with humans. He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to enjoy life. As long as they stayed away from the forbidden tree they would be happy. But they couldn't resist the temptation to taste the forbidden fruit. Just a little bite. What is that going to hurt?
You too can enjoy life if you fall in love with Christ and stay away from the forbidden things. Life is too short to waste it. Live each day as though it where your last (and it might be)and do all you can to make a good difference in someone's life.
Have a wonderful Friday,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Love Is....
1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. It talks about what love is and is not. Love is kind, patient, always hopeful, and endures every circumstance. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude, does not demand its own way, or irritable. All of us have a personal definition of love because we have experienced it in different ways.
I love to be loved. I'd rather be loved than hated any day. Jesus told his disciples to love one another so that others would know that they were His disciples. Love does some wonderful things. It breaks down ugly walls of hatred, it heals some nasty wounds, it forgives. I love to be loved.
Love is also funny sometimes. A young girl admitted calmly to her parents that Jason Johnson had kissed her after Sunday school class. "How did that happen?" gasped her mother. "It wasn't easy," admitted the young girl, "but three girls helped me catch him."
Have a wonderful day.
Pastor Gary
I love to be loved. I'd rather be loved than hated any day. Jesus told his disciples to love one another so that others would know that they were His disciples. Love does some wonderful things. It breaks down ugly walls of hatred, it heals some nasty wounds, it forgives. I love to be loved.
Love is also funny sometimes. A young girl admitted calmly to her parents that Jason Johnson had kissed her after Sunday school class. "How did that happen?" gasped her mother. "It wasn't easy," admitted the young girl, "but three girls helped me catch him."
Have a wonderful day.
Pastor Gary
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Top Ten Predictions for 2006
I received this over email the other day and thought it was worth passing on.
TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2006
1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. Thee will still be singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
--- Author unknown
Have a God-blessed day,
Pastor Gary
TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2006
1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. Thee will still be singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
--- Author unknown
Have a God-blessed day,
Pastor Gary
Friday, January 13, 2006
Leaders In the Church - Leaders In Life
Good morning,
In 1 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul gives Timothy the qualifications for an elder (bishop or pastor). Some of these qualifications are:
o His life cannot be spoken against (v.2)
o He must be faithful to his wife (v. 2)
o He must be gentle, peace loving. and not one who loves money (v. 3)
o He must manage his family well, with children who respect and obey him.
For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of
God's church?
These qualifications are not complicated. If a man desires the office of an elder (bishop or pastor), he desires a good thing. But if he is not qualified
according to Scripture, he doesn't deserve that office.
My point today is that not only are these qualifications for this office
described above, but they are also excellent guidelines for everyday life.
Be faithful to God, your spouse, your family, and your church. Live every
day like Christ is walking by your side. Seek to please Him, and you will.
Have a God-blessed day,
Pastor Gary
In 1 Timothy 3, the Apostle Paul gives Timothy the qualifications for an elder (bishop or pastor). Some of these qualifications are:
o His life cannot be spoken against (v.2)
o He must be faithful to his wife (v. 2)
o He must be gentle, peace loving. and not one who loves money (v. 3)
o He must manage his family well, with children who respect and obey him.
For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of
God's church?
These qualifications are not complicated. If a man desires the office of an elder (bishop or pastor), he desires a good thing. But if he is not qualified
according to Scripture, he doesn't deserve that office.
My point today is that not only are these qualifications for this office
described above, but they are also excellent guidelines for everyday life.
Be faithful to God, your spouse, your family, and your church. Live every
day like Christ is walking by your side. Seek to please Him, and you will.
Have a God-blessed day,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Defending Your Church
Dear friends,
If someone where to come against your family and threaten to destroy them, you would do all in your power to protect them. Why? Because you love your family. When your family is in danger, you'll defend with everything you've got. But how do we feel about our local church, our church family? Will we defend them against the enemy of God?
How do we defend our church family?
1. Be an encourager, not a fault-finder.
2. Avoid gossip at all cost. Don't spread it and don't listen to it.
3. Support your pastor and leaders. Pray that God will help them do what is right. If you have a problem with the pastor or leader, go to them and talk. Don't call others and complain about them.
4. Speak highly of your church when you are in public.
5. Be considerate of one another. Understand that some of your church family come to church sometimes with a heavy heart. If you sense this, give them a kind word. Maybe they just need to talk with someone or want you to pray for them (Don't wait to pray later, pray with them right there.).
These are just a few of the weapons you can use to protect your church family. God loved the church so much that He gave His Son for it. If God feels that way about His people, we certainly should be willing to defend them.
May you have a God-blessed day.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary
If someone where to come against your family and threaten to destroy them, you would do all in your power to protect them. Why? Because you love your family. When your family is in danger, you'll defend with everything you've got. But how do we feel about our local church, our church family? Will we defend them against the enemy of God?
How do we defend our church family?
1. Be an encourager, not a fault-finder.
2. Avoid gossip at all cost. Don't spread it and don't listen to it.
3. Support your pastor and leaders. Pray that God will help them do what is right. If you have a problem with the pastor or leader, go to them and talk. Don't call others and complain about them.
4. Speak highly of your church when you are in public.
5. Be considerate of one another. Understand that some of your church family come to church sometimes with a heavy heart. If you sense this, give them a kind word. Maybe they just need to talk with someone or want you to pray for them (Don't wait to pray later, pray with them right there.).
These are just a few of the weapons you can use to protect your church family. God loved the church so much that He gave His Son for it. If God feels that way about His people, we certainly should be willing to defend them.
May you have a God-blessed day.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
What A Beautiful Day
Hi everyone,
I woke up this morning and a miracle happened at my house. I looked outside and the sun was shining. I missed the sun. It was like an old friend from this past summer showed up to pay me a visit. There's something special about starting our day off with the sun.
But you know, you can start off every day, even the stormy one's, in the Son. Because of what Christ did at Calvary we can start off, and finish, every day with the assurance that He lives in our hearts. Now that's a real miracle.
If you do not know Christ as your Savior, you can. The Bible says if you will acknowledge that He is Lord, and by faith believe that God (His Father) raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Clean, free, joy, peace, contentment. All of that and more comes with knowing the Son.
Have a God-blessed day,
In His love,
Pastor Gary
I woke up this morning and a miracle happened at my house. I looked outside and the sun was shining. I missed the sun. It was like an old friend from this past summer showed up to pay me a visit. There's something special about starting our day off with the sun.
But you know, you can start off every day, even the stormy one's, in the Son. Because of what Christ did at Calvary we can start off, and finish, every day with the assurance that He lives in our hearts. Now that's a real miracle.
If you do not know Christ as your Savior, you can. The Bible says if you will acknowledge that He is Lord, and by faith believe that God (His Father) raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Clean, free, joy, peace, contentment. All of that and more comes with knowing the Son.
Have a God-blessed day,
In His love,
Pastor Gary
Monday, January 02, 2006
Pain - Why Is It Necessary?
Pain, and the suffering it causes, is one of life's greatest problems. All of us suffer painful times, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Why do we have to suffer pain? In their book, "Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants," Philip Yancy and Paul Brand talk about the tragedy of living life without pain, as did the lepers Dr. Brand worked with in India. Inability to feel pain usually leads to an early death or disability because the body has no mechanism to warn or fight against that which is dangerous to it.
Pain is an indication that there is a problem, physical, emotional, or spiritual. The pain of a guilty conscience can warn us about evil dangers and moral trouble. Pain is a necessary part of healthy human existence. Because of pain, the Holy Spirit is motivated to comfort, nurture, and console - something that often comes to us by no other means but pain.
In Romans 8: 31-39, the Apostle Paul teaches that nothing, including painful times, can come between you as a believer and God. I know there are pains that come into our lives that we don't understand or no why we have to suffer them, but God showed us that He loved us so much by giving His Son on the cross. I truly do not understand why we have to have so much pain, but knowing God loves me and wants His best for me helps me to endure. You see, one day God promises that all sorrow, death, tears, and pain will be gone (Revelation 21: 4). That's when we go to heaven. I look forward to that.
Have a God-blessed day.
Pastor Gary
Pain is an indication that there is a problem, physical, emotional, or spiritual. The pain of a guilty conscience can warn us about evil dangers and moral trouble. Pain is a necessary part of healthy human existence. Because of pain, the Holy Spirit is motivated to comfort, nurture, and console - something that often comes to us by no other means but pain.
In Romans 8: 31-39, the Apostle Paul teaches that nothing, including painful times, can come between you as a believer and God. I know there are pains that come into our lives that we don't understand or no why we have to suffer them, but God showed us that He loved us so much by giving His Son on the cross. I truly do not understand why we have to have so much pain, but knowing God loves me and wants His best for me helps me to endure. You see, one day God promises that all sorrow, death, tears, and pain will be gone (Revelation 21: 4). That's when we go to heaven. I look forward to that.
Have a God-blessed day.
Pastor Gary
Saturday, December 31, 2005
At The Radio Station
It's 8AM on Saturday and I am at my usual spot behind the mic at Christian Radio Station WLQV (AM 1500) in Detroit. I have been doing this for over 20 years. The past several years have been on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. I am priviliged to play Southern Gospel Music. What an honor. Music that you can understand that tugs at your heart strings. It's a great opportunity to share Jesus Christ with a lot of people.
The Bible says the gospel is "good news." Why? Because the good news is that Jesus came to save anybody who wants to be. He died, was buried, and raised from the dead so that could happen. That's what the words in Southern Gospel Music talk about.
Have a blessed day and go to church someplace tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary
The Bible says the gospel is "good news." Why? Because the good news is that Jesus came to save anybody who wants to be. He died, was buried, and raised from the dead so that could happen. That's what the words in Southern Gospel Music talk about.
Have a blessed day and go to church someplace tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary
Friday, December 30, 2005
Real Love
As we approach 2006 we think of ways that we might change or do some things differently. I think that is a good thing. We can always improve in different areas of our lives. But I think a change that will make the most difference is knowing what love really is.
The dictionary defines love as an intense feeling of deep affection; a deep romantic attachment to someone; a great interest and pleasure in something. That's a pretty good description. But the Apostle Paul had a different description in 1 Corinthians 13. He said love is patient and kind, not jealous, doesn't brag and is not jealous. He went on to say that love bears all things and endures all things. In other words, love never fails. It's the way to go. Seems to me the way to love is to love others like I want to be loved (Now there's a golden statement!).
Wouldn't it be great if we could love like Paul described. Not hate or kill anyone but genuinely care about others. Sounds like a good way to start off 2006, or TODAY.
Have a blessed day.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary
The dictionary defines love as an intense feeling of deep affection; a deep romantic attachment to someone; a great interest and pleasure in something. That's a pretty good description. But the Apostle Paul had a different description in 1 Corinthians 13. He said love is patient and kind, not jealous, doesn't brag and is not jealous. He went on to say that love bears all things and endures all things. In other words, love never fails. It's the way to go. Seems to me the way to love is to love others like I want to be loved (Now there's a golden statement!).
Wouldn't it be great if we could love like Paul described. Not hate or kill anyone but genuinely care about others. Sounds like a good way to start off 2006, or TODAY.
Have a blessed day.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
As We Approach the New Year
Hello everyone,
One of the most difficult times of the year is now. Those who are hurting, hurt more, those who are lonely, are more lonely, those who are desperate, are more desperate. To many, the happiest time of the year can be the most sad. That's where you and I come in.
If you are one of the fortunate ones to have a good home, you can be a blessing to those who are hurting, lonely, and desperate. Even if you have to go out of your way or sacrifice something, reach out to those who are less fortunate and be a friend. You never know what a difference you may make.
Have a blessed evening,
Pastor Gary
One of the most difficult times of the year is now. Those who are hurting, hurt more, those who are lonely, are more lonely, those who are desperate, are more desperate. To many, the happiest time of the year can be the most sad. That's where you and I come in.
If you are one of the fortunate ones to have a good home, you can be a blessing to those who are hurting, lonely, and desperate. Even if you have to go out of your way or sacrifice something, reach out to those who are less fortunate and be a friend. You never know what a difference you may make.
Have a blessed evening,
Pastor Gary
Monday, December 26, 2005
The Day After
Hi everyone, I hope you had a great Christmas. Now comes the anticipation of a new year and all that it has instore. I don't know how 2006 is going to be but this one thing I do know, it's going to be exciting.
Looking forward to working for the God of the Bible in 2006. Have a blessed day.
Pastor Gary
Looking forward to working for the God of the Bible in 2006. Have a blessed day.
Pastor Gary
Saturday, December 24, 2005
The Anticipation
Well, it's Christmas eve and the anticipation is rising for many children that Christmas day is just a few hours away and they'll get to open their presents. That was always an exciting time for me when I was a kid in Alabama and then southwest Detroit in Michigan. I remember one particular Christmas in Alabama when I asked for a beautiful box of candy I had seen in a magazine. It was beautiful. On Christmas morning I eagerly went to the tree to look for the box of candy. To my disappointment I didn't find what I hoped would be there. Instead, there was a brown paper bag (we called it a poke back then) full of Baby Ruth candy bars.
That Christmas wasn't what I expected. A brown paper bag of Baby Ruth candy bars. Where's the beauty and excitement in that? As I grew older I learned of another gift that was presented to me that was not wrapped in pretty paper or a fancy box, but only in strips of cloth and laid in a manger where the animals would eat their food. Just a baby but oh what a baby. That little boy wrapped in swaddling clothes ended up being the greatest present I could ever receive: God's gift to me (and you).
Even though many today are "throwing away" that present, I am eternally thankful for it.
Have a great Christmas eve.
Pastor Gary
That Christmas wasn't what I expected. A brown paper bag of Baby Ruth candy bars. Where's the beauty and excitement in that? As I grew older I learned of another gift that was presented to me that was not wrapped in pretty paper or a fancy box, but only in strips of cloth and laid in a manger where the animals would eat their food. Just a baby but oh what a baby. That little boy wrapped in swaddling clothes ended up being the greatest present I could ever receive: God's gift to me (and you).
Even though many today are "throwing away" that present, I am eternally thankful for it.
Have a great Christmas eve.
Pastor Gary
Friday, December 23, 2005
Today's Comments
Hi Everyone,
Romans 6: 23 says, "For the wages of sin is death [Hell], but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thank God for His awesome gift to us. God loves you so much that He gave His Son to die for you. Could you have done that with one of your children? Would you have given your only child to die for someone like you, or me, or the drug addict, the rapist, the murderer? Of course we couldn't. But God's love goes so much deeper than ours. You see, His love is unconditional.
Have a blessed day.
In His love,
Pastor Gary
Romans 6: 23 says, "For the wages of sin is death [Hell], but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Thank God for His awesome gift to us. God loves you so much that He gave His Son to die for you. Could you have done that with one of your children? Would you have given your only child to die for someone like you, or me, or the drug addict, the rapist, the murderer? Of course we couldn't. But God's love goes so much deeper than ours. You see, His love is unconditional.
Have a blessed day.
In His love,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Importance of Christmas
With all the talk about "Happy Holidays" and "Merry Christmas," it makes you wonder what has happened to our society. As a kid I always knew December 25 to be Christmas. If the term "holidays" was mentioned it meant Christmas and New Years. But one thing has remained constant in my life: the real meaning of Christmas. John 3: 16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting [eternal] life." Christmas is God's gift to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let's get back to telling our children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends the real meaning of Christmas. I do not mean to dishonor any religion but I believe with all of my heart that the answer to man's needs and the world's is Jesus Christ. It's not about being a particular denomination but it's all about knowing Jesus as personal Savior.
This Christmas season would be a great time to get to know Him personally. Get to know God personally? Absolutely! Through His gift to us we can know God. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and your life will never be the same. Romans 3: 23 says to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and begin a new life where old things pass away and all things become new.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Hill
Let's get back to telling our children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends the real meaning of Christmas. I do not mean to dishonor any religion but I believe with all of my heart that the answer to man's needs and the world's is Jesus Christ. It's not about being a particular denomination but it's all about knowing Jesus as personal Savior.
This Christmas season would be a great time to get to know Him personally. Get to know God personally? Absolutely! Through His gift to us we can know God. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and your life will never be the same. Romans 3: 23 says to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and begin a new life where old things pass away and all things become new.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Hill
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