Acts 2:4 says: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ..." What a powerful statement! Jesus came to earth to die and rise again so that we might have eternal life. Jesus was exalted to the Father so that the power of the Holy Spirit might come upon all who believe. Today, this Christmas season, we need to be filled with the Spirit of God. We need, no, let me say, we must be empowered by the Spirit of God.
Jesus told his disciples to go and tarry in Jerusalem until they receive the promise. This promise was the empowerment of the Spirit of God. Before they were to minister the Gospel ... before they were to do ministry ... before they were to plant churches, they were to be empowered.
Before we take another step ... before we go another mile ... before we make another decision ... let us be "filled with the Holy Spirit. May our prayer today be: "Lord, empower me with your Spirit!" May our prayer be: "Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit" like on the day of Pentecost.
This is today,
Pastor Gary
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Curve Ball's
Have you ever played baseball and tried to hit a curve ball. I remember one particular pitcher in little league baseball, he was a good curve ball thrower. Me and my teammates could hardly get a hit off of his curve ball's. What I remember is, it was particularly hard to successfully bat against a good curve ball thrower.
You know, life is kinda like that pitcher. Life throws us some curve balls. Some pretty big curve balls I would say. However, I have learned if you are going to hit the curve balls that life throws your way, then you have to stay in the batter's box. And if you stay in the batter's box and stare down the curve ball you will be able to get a base hit. Sometimes you even hit a double or a tripple; and, sometimes, you even hit it out of the park. The key is, staying in the batters box and starring the curve ball down ... Jesus helps you do this!
With Jesus, we can hit the curve balls life throws us ... we can hit them out of the park. Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 " ... but with God all things are possible."
This is today,
Pastor Gary
You know, life is kinda like that pitcher. Life throws us some curve balls. Some pretty big curve balls I would say. However, I have learned if you are going to hit the curve balls that life throws your way, then you have to stay in the batter's box. And if you stay in the batter's box and stare down the curve ball you will be able to get a base hit. Sometimes you even hit a double or a tripple; and, sometimes, you even hit it out of the park. The key is, staying in the batters box and starring the curve ball down ... Jesus helps you do this!
With Jesus, we can hit the curve balls life throws us ... we can hit them out of the park. Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 " ... but with God all things are possible."
This is today,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Staff Retreat
Today completed our annual staff retreat. We had a wonderful time, as a leadership team, planning and strategizing together for 2008. We were at the beautiful Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, FL. There were no TV's, telephone's, no internet connection; just the staff and their families working together. The staff retreat gives us an oppotunity to train, build relationships, and plan our yearly calender. God has wonderful things in 2008 for Glad Tidings Church. We, the leadership team, believe that 2008 will be our greatest year.
It is important to remember that we "plan today for success tomorrow." As we do our part, God the Father will do His part. There is always room for growth and improvement. Seek excellence and God will honor your efforts. Always seek to do your best for Christ and He will inturn bless you with His favor and His blessings.
We concluded the 2 1/2 day staff retreat with a time of devotion, worship and a foot washing service. It was a wonderful time as tears flowed and the presence of Christ penetrated our hearts. The verse I ended with was found in Luke 22:27 Jesus said: "For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves."
This is today,
Pastor Gary
It is important to remember that we "plan today for success tomorrow." As we do our part, God the Father will do His part. There is always room for growth and improvement. Seek excellence and God will honor your efforts. Always seek to do your best for Christ and He will inturn bless you with His favor and His blessings.
We concluded the 2 1/2 day staff retreat with a time of devotion, worship and a foot washing service. It was a wonderful time as tears flowed and the presence of Christ penetrated our hearts. The verse I ended with was found in Luke 22:27 Jesus said: "For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves."
This is today,
Pastor Gary
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