That is Why We Never Give Up

Rich sent this article to me written by Rick Warren a pastor out in CA.  I thought it worthy of sending on.  Rick and Kay Warren just lost their son a few weeks ago and their heartbreak must be immeasureable.  Remember when you go through tough times God is faithful.  Do not give up.  Keep on going.  Blessings, Deb P.


“That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:15-17 NLT)

The difference between faithful people and unfaithful people is unfaithful people give up at the first sign of difficulty. Faithful people keep on keeping on. Faithful people are determined. Faithful people are diligent. Faithful people are persistent. Faithful people don’t know how to quit. You know how a little acorn becomes an oak tree? An oak tree is just an acorn that refused to give up.

I’m not that smart, but I do know one thing: It is always too soon to quit. You are never a failure until you quit, and it’s always too soon to quit. God uses tough times to test our persistence.

When we started Saddleback, I preached the first sermon to one person: my wife. She thought it was too long. Thirty-one years later, she’s still saying my sermons are too long!

I thought when we started a church we’d get a building quickly. We went 15 years without a building. In the first 13 years of this church, we used 79 different facilities. You know how many times I felt like giving up? Just every Monday morning! But I don’t know how to quit. And God said, “Rick, if I never give you a building, would you still serve me?” And I said, “Absolutely!”

Saddleback grew to more than 10,000 people before we built our first building. How would you like to set up and take down a church for 10,000 people every week? There’s not a lot of glory in that. It’s just hard work. God uses tough times to test our persistence.

If you’re going through tough times right now, then this verse is for you: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:15-17 NLT)

God is more interested in what you’re becoming than what’s happening to you. He often allows trials, troubles, tribulations, and problems in your life to teach you diligence, determination, and character. The problem you’re going through right now? It’s a test of your faithfulness. Will you continue to serve God even when life stinks?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

Talk About It

- In what situation are you ready to give up?

- How can you renew your spirit so that you have the strength to persevere in this situation?

Reconilliation Trumps Worship

by Charles Ligon

Matthew 5:23-24 therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

For several years I held a grudge and harbored resentment toward a Christian brother. It was a very painful time for me until that day I asked forgiveness and sought reconciliation. Reflecting back, the broken relationship had an effect on my daily life. It impacted Christian fellowship and it caused my daily worship to sometimes feel more like duty than delight. And, according to Jesus in Matthew 5:23-24, it also impacted the gift I brought to the altar; my daily worship as unto the Lord.

For workplace Christians, bringing our best to the Lord through our work means we give our best through our work. It is our gift to Him. But, what if we have a grudge against a fellow Christian? What if we have sinned against our Christian brother/sister and there is some unresolved conflict? Will our worship through work be acceptable?

According to Jesus, reconciliation trumps worship. God does not welcome our worship when there is unresolved conflict. Unresolved conflict, personal grudges and an unforgiving spirit hinders both our fellowship with others and our daily worship unto the Lord. The grace, mercy and forgiveness that we have received from God must always affect how we respond to others. With this understanding, reconciliation must take priority over worship.

Our workplace challenge is to ask these questions: Do I have unresolved conflict with someone? Do I need to offer or seek forgiveness? If the answer is yes, go and be reconciled to your brother or sister. Jesus doesn't want our gift if He doesn't first have our heart; and if we are at odds with our brother or sister in Christ, then He doesn't fully have our heart. The Body of Christ functions together and if the body is broken the whole body is encumbered. So, repair that broken relationship then offer your gift to the glory of the Lord.

Don't Bragimony

by Charles Ligon

April 21, 2013

In his book Mastering Monday, John Becket tells the amusing story of a man who was awarded a lapel pin for being the most humble person in the church. Sadly, it wasn’t long before the church elders had to take the pin away because the man wore it all the time. The man’s humility had turned to pride. In my own life I have found that it is easy to receive a compliment from someone and then proceed to brag on myself in response. A friend calls this response a “Bragimony”. It is when we receive a compliment and end up testifying about ourselves. Sadly, it is a reflection of pride. A simple and humble “thank you” would suffice. The Bible says that God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). Unfortunately, the subtle sin of pride is never far from tainting our hearts and attitudes. We must be careful and be warned.

King Nebuchadnezzar was warned but still declared from his rooftop, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty (Daniel 4:30)? The personal pronouns of “I” and “my” can lead to destruction. This is especially true in the marketplace where men and women can easily take credit for success.

What will pride do to you at work? In his book, Becket says that pride puts us on a pedestal causing us to look down on others...pride desensitizes us to other’s needs, blunting our compassion…pride deafens us to the concerns of customers and employees…pride leads us to justify lavish indulgence. Even worse, pride can dupe people into illicit relationships, destroying marriages and families. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Our workplace challenge is to rid ourselves of pride in our lives. The Bible says Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God (I Peter 5:6). Humility is the strongest defense against pride. So, how can we practice humility at work? Here are a few ideas: Replace “I” with “they”, “us” and “we”. Testify daily and publically to God’s provision giving Him 100% credit for all success through your work. Practice generosity with your time and resources. Finally, reply to all compliments with a simple “thank you” or, better yet, deflect all praise to Him…for His glory!

Good News Club Carried To Columbia

Dear Friends: 

Someone from our church went to Columbia on vacation to visit family and did a Good News Club like Faith Baptist volunteers do at Youngsville Elementary.  She wasn't going for that reason but helps in our Good News Club and the Lord impressed her to do a club in Columbia where her family is.  I'm not posting her name nor the last names of the children and please scroll on down to look at the pictures.

Due to thiswoman's heart and her obedience to the Lord, the following are the new names now written in God's Book of Life and will live forever with King Jesus.   I would love to hear your comments below.  :)

• Julian David R.
• Julian David F.  
• Carol Nicole .
• Sandra Janeth C.
• John Larrison Y. 
• Juan Camilo J. 
• Juan Camilo C. 
• Carlos P. 
• John Franco R. 
• Michele Daiana A. 
• Brayan S.
• John Janier V. 
• Elizabeth A.  
• Juliana P. 
• Jazmin Wasiduma V. 
• Jober Camilo D.

I thought this was amazing and just wanted to share it with you.

 

 

How God Chooses - Mercy

 

By Pastor Rich Paradis

Romans 9:14-29

 

In our previous section of Romans 9, we introduced the question that Paul anticipated coming out of Romans 8. That question was, “What about Israel?” If their disobedience would somehow “separate” them from God’s favor and future plans, than the message of chapter 8 would be destroyed. He answers that question by “defining” spiritual Israel versus national Israel and then giving examples of His elective choice in choosing Israel and Jacob to be “children of promise” when legally that designation should have gone to Ishmael and Esau. Let’s continue the discussion and with it God’s elective choice and our response to it.

 

I.                   God’s Choices - Mercy, Not Random Choice or Injustice    Romans 9:14-18

a.       Coming out of the discussion of Romans 9:6-13, you may have been led to believe that God makes His choices randomly or without wisdom and regard for anyone or anything. This section will give us insight into that false assumption.

b.      Again, as Verse 14 opens we have a question. That question is centered on God’s motives for making the decisions that He makes. One might come away from the previous verses with the idea that God is perhaps unjust in His sovereign choices. Is God unjust? Is God right or is He wrong in His choices that we don’t understand? The question is really a questioning of God’s character, isn’t it? Paul, thinking of the possible question that might be on the mind of the reader, answers in no uncertain terms as he has before when God is being questioned.

c.       The answer is unequivocally NO! God is not unjust. His character is not in the least questionable in Paul’s mind. But instead of putting together a long drawn out explanation of this answer, He simply goes to the Old Testament and offers a comment that ensures the reader that His choices are made based on mercy and compassion, not randomness or without regard.

d.      Look at Verse 15. This quote is from Exodus 33:19, where God says to Moses that He will show Him His glory and will demonstrate His mercy on those that rightly deserved to be destroyed. The Golden Calf episode has just taken place and God has told Moses that He will not travel  with them or He might well destroy them  for their disobedience and their idolatry. Moses appeals to God and He acknowledges the humility of their leader. God gives us a look into His character in the Exodus passage, which is now quoted to demonstrate the same character and the same God of the Old Testament. His choices are not random, nor are they unjust.

e.       But Verse 16 reminds us that they are also not based on the performance of the people. God’s choices are made based on His mercy, not the will of man (or the willingness of man) or man’s running and efforts.

f.       God’s sovereignty is demonstrated in the Old Testament quote shared in Verse 17. It is interesting to note that Scripture is put on an equal plane as the very words of God to Moses here. Scripture is in fact the inspired, God-breathed word of God. This quote is from Exodus 9:16. The plague of boils is falling on Egypt and an incredible statement is made here. God notes through Moses that Pharaoh is basically on Earth to demonstrate God’s power to him and to the entire Earth. You see, God’s power is not just demonstrated in His mercy, but in His wrath as well. Verse 18 reminds us that God is not a God of random choice or injustice. He is a God of mercy that will sometimes even allow the hardening of a heart to demonstrate His sovereignty and right to choose as He desires.

 

II.                God’s Mercy On Display    Romans 9:19-29

a.       Paul begins the next part of the discussion with another question. This question is found is Verse 19. The question basically is, “If God’s choices are a demonstration of His sovereignty and not our performance or will, than why does He still hold us responsible for our choices?”

b.      Instead of giving any indication that the question is “fair” or even deserves an answer, Paul immediately comes back with a question that reminds the reader of his or her position and the results of that position. Verse 20-21 shares a picture that will position the reader not as one that can or even should call God to account, but as a creation of the one that they push against.

c.       The picture is this: A hunk of clay has decided in its infinite wisdom to yell at the potter because he has chosen to do with the clay as he wishes. The potter has chosen to make some of the clay into a fine dish while making some of it into a pot to cook in. Let’s don’t push the illustration to its extremes by asking questions like, “what is the fine dish?” or “what is the pot?” The point is that God has the right to choose as He wishes and to question that is silly at best and dangerous at worst.

d.      Many have argued over the next verse in that it says something that at first is very unnerving to us. Verses 22-24 remind us initially of the point made in the example from verse 17. No problem, right? But look at the end of verse 22. Paul mentions a group that is referred to as “vessels of wrath, prepared for destruction. Who are these people? There are at least 2 opinions:

                                                              i.      A double-predestination – The thought here is that God has made some to be saved and some to be eternally lost. They have no choice, it is simply the way that it is. This is unlikely in that God is not involved, except at the mercy level, while He is “preparing” the vessels of mercy noted in verse 23.

                                                            ii.      The Unsaved – This makes more sense in that these “vessels of wrath” are going to suffer eternal judgment, but God is patiently enduring their antagonism towards Him for now. We were told this in Romans 2:5, where it is stated that there is a “storing up of wrath” being done in preparation for God’s eternal judgment.

e.       But while there is still probably some “fog” of understanding regarding this section, don’t let the doctrines of God’s sovereignty or Man’s Free Will be underestimated. They are both true and even though some tension remains even after the discussion, to try to resolve it to the point of absolute clarity will most likely make the problem even worse as you have to erase a doctrine that is unmistakably discussed in Scripture.

f.       Verse 24 shares a couple of connecting truths. The first is that those that are saved are “vessels of mercy”, by God’s choice according to Romans 8:29-30. The second is that there will be “vessels of mercy” that will come from both the Jews and the Gentiles.

g.      Verses 25-26 will tell us that this truth was discussed and prophesied in the Old Testament. The first quotation is from Hosea 2:23 and is followed by a quotation from Hosea 1:10. The original context of these passages refers to a spiritual restoration of Israel. But Paul utilizes them to state the principle that God is a saving, forgiving, and restoring God. He delights in taking those that are not His and making them His. He applies this to the Gentiles who He makes His people and grafts into the “spiritual Israel” mentioned in verse 6.

h.      The next 3 verses that close this section are from Isaiah. Verses 27-29 indicate that while national Israel is large, spiritual Israel will be made up of a smaller number of Jews than is represented by national Israel.

i.        As we move forward in our next lesson to the conclusion of chapter 9 and into chapter 10, we will see that in fact the number of national Israel that will be a part of spiritual Israel will perhaps even be smaller than the Gentile majority.

 

III.             An Application For All Of Us

a.       God’s sovereign choice is never in conflict with His character.

b.      God’s sovereign choices are not made based on anything that man either does or does not do.

c.       God’s sovereign choices are made based on His mercy.

d.      Thus far we can summarize:

                                                              i.      Not all who descend from Israel are Israelites (Vs.6-8)

                                                            ii.      Not all Jews are God’s chosen (Vs.24)

                                                          iii.      Not all of God’s chosen are Jews (Vs.24)

Romans 9

Hi Friends:

For those of you that were in Sunday School this last Sunday, did you all understand the portion of scripture that Rich was teaching out of Romans 9?  Just want to make sure before we move on.  Any comments on it?  Questions?  Feel free to post on here or email me.  That portion of verses in Chapter 9 is hard to understand and theologians do not even agree on it.

I also wanted to thank Ashley and Kate for getting up in front of class this last week and letting us know what was in their hearts.  I am so challenged by our young ladies that comes to speak to us.  They have many obstacles in front of them that we did not have.

And one last item, don't forget our pasta party on Sunday, April 21st at the Royce and Kathleen Jackson's home.  It will be from 1-4 pm after church.  Bring a dish of either a hot or cold pasta and a dessert if you would like.  Drinks and place settings will be provided.   RSVP me at paradis.debl@yahoo.com to let me know if you are coming so I can let the Jackson's know how many to set up for.  (P.S.  Please no nuts or peanut products)

God bless you all for your hearts and friendship. 

Do Not Fear! by Charles Ligon

Do Not Fear!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

We all have fears: fear of the dark, fear of snakes, fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of public speaking or of losing one’s job. My biggest fear is being lost at sea. Last summer, my sons and I planned a fishing trip out in the ocean, off the coast of Virginia. We were well prepared for the trip. We had a marine radio, a satellite location beacon and a Sea-Tow registration. I even told my wife exactly where we were going and when we’d return. In spite of all my safety precautions, I laid awake the night before…unable to sleep, my imagination running wild as various catastrophic scenarios played out in my mind. I had planned for every known event, but it was the fear of the unknown that had enslaved me.

Most fear originates from the fear of the unknown. We don’t know what lies ahead so we become anxious. Our imaginations amplify the fear until it becomes overwhelming and we become enslaved. Fear is a natural response to a potential threat. But, as believers, how we respond to fear is crucial to overcoming it. The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. God has placed in us the Holy Spirit to help us see things as He does and to help us overcome our fears. Through Him, we have the love, power and self control that can conquer fear.

Do you have fears at work? Perhaps you fear a failed business or the loss of income; maybe you’re afraid of losing a big customer or of making a bad business decision. All too often we as Christians fear what man can do to us. Yet, the only fear God encourages in a Christian’s life is the fear of God (2 Cor. 5:10-11). Any other types of fear are not from Him.

Workplace Challenge: Ask God to free you from your fear. Decide now to be more reliant on the Holy Spirit who resides in you; He will give you whatever you need to conquer that fear. Don’t be afraid of what man can do to you. Be faithful to God for He is trustworthy and He is with you. Finally, memorize God’s promise in Isaiah 41:10. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. What a promise! Make today count for His Glory.

Evangelism with Easter Eggs

     Thought I would send out some pictures of last Saturday's Easter egg hunt at church for those of you who were not able to attend.  There was a great program in the sanctuary with the story of Jesus and the children's choir singing three or four different songs.  (I loved the kids singing.  They were incredible).  And the skit, narrarated by Mrs. Sarah McNeil was right on the mark.
 
     I got some pictures of a couple different family's at church and then some random ones with walking out of the church onto the fields where all the eggs were for the kids to gather.  (I got permission from all family's to use the pictures.)   Enjoy as we did.  What a blessing to know that our church speaks the TRUTH of the word of God and loves people as they come. 

We kept these little kiddos contained in the back of the church on the floor. 

They had a GREAT time.

Avery, Rylie and Nathaniel, Abigail

Nathaniel and Ben along with Rich Paradis and grandson Avery.

Four little munchkins pretending to be rabbits eating carrots.

Waiting for the program in the church to start.

 

Sweet Shelby...

 

 

Headed toward the egg hunt out on the lawn.

 

 

and they keep coming,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

 

 

and coming....................

 

 

Waiting for the hunt to begin.

 

 

The DeMarco family.

 

 

The Madsen family.

 

 

Campbell and Mary Austin

 

 

 

 

Isabell Cain

 

The McNeill Family

 

 

Grandchildren are the best gift.

 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God,

and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7