"Dealing with Disappointment"

Life is a wonderful thing. And while life is full of joy and happiness, there will also be times of disappointment. The key is how will we respond to the disappointment.
Some will pull away or pull back. When someone lets us down, our natural reaction is to distance ourselves from that person. In doing that, our defensive mechanism protects us from further hurt and disappointment. That may be possible in some situations, but what about when a family member disappoints you? Distance isn’t necessarily the answer.
Others may respond by “repaying evil with evil.” That may take on a number of forms, but the heart of it is that if you have hurt me, I will hurt you back. This can be done with a guilt trip, holding past baggage over someone’s head. It can be done by reacting and doing something that would disappoint the other party. Whatever the action, reaction is not the solution.
How should we deal with disappointment? Jesus gave us a prime example. When he was arrested, one of His closest followers, Peter, denied he even knew Jesus three times. Jesus must have been disappointed, but He didn’t react either defensively or offensively. Instead, He responded with love and compassion. Jesus restored Peter and affirmed that He still wanted Peter to fulfill his calling in life. Read the story in John 21.
If Jesus treated those who disappointed Him that way, shouldn’t we also treat others the same? Believe in people, give second chances, and as long as it isn’t overly dangerous, let grace overcome the hurt of disappointment.
-Pastor Arlen

Time to Get Ready!

If I were to ask you, "Friend, do you think we're living in the last days before Jesus returns?" Wouldn't you tell me, "Yes Pastor, I really believe Jesus will be returning soon."

I've heard my friend Dean say for the last few weeks that Jesus is coming back for his bride, but she is not ready yet. She is still an immature and unprepared bride to be.

Church, it's time to get ready!

This week Robert will preach about listening to the voice of God. That is vital as we enter into a season of maturing as the bride of Christ and preparing for our Lord Jesus' return.

Join me as we enter into a season of maturing spiritually and inviting the glory of God.

John 16:14 tells us that the Holy Spirit "will bring glory to me (Jesus) by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."

It glorifies God when we listen to the Holy Spirit speak to us and prepare us for our wedding to the Lord Jesus Christ.

It's time to mature and get ready. Will you join me?

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen

Judging: Let's Do It

I recently picked up a book called "unChristian". It's an intereseting look at what average people think about Christians. Basically, they don't think we're representing Jesus well. As followers of Christ, they think we act very unChristian. 

The top three observations of Christians is that we are homophobic, judgmental, and hypocrites. 

As we wrap up this series in this message transcript, we'll see that if we Christians would just change one thing and get this issue of judging others right, it would help with all three of these disturbing perceptions people have about Christians. 

We’ve been talking about judging, and as Christians, most of us have this misunderstanding that we judge those outside the church, and because of God’s grace, we are not supposed to judge those inside. We don’t like it when we’re judged, judging others never seems to help, and doesn’t the Bible say “Do not judge, lest you be judged.” So we think we’re not supposed to judge and if we do judge others, whether we say it or just give people the impression that we’re judging them, we judge those outside of the church because they are a whole lot worse than we are. And once you get into our circle of faith we love you and there’s so much grace and forgiveness. And the prevailing thinking about our fellow believers is “I’m not perfect just forgiven.” But for those people outside the church, we have far less understanding, far less grace, and far less forgiveness, because they don’t act as Christian as we do.

And last week God opened our eyes to the fact that we have got it all backwards. No wonder people think Christians are anti-homosexual, judgmental, and hypocritical. The Apostle Paul made it crystal clear to us that we are not to judge outsiders, those outside the church because who will judge them?

God will judge the outsiders. But we have a responsibility to judge those inside the church. And as we saw last week, we don’t judge every little detail and every little failure. But when someone inside the church chooses a lifestyle of sin, then they become a candidate for someone to talk to them. Because choosing a lifestyle of sin as a Christian is like trying to embrace Jesus and grace and forgiveness and holiness with one arm and sin, death, and evil with the other. It just doesn’t work and someone needs to talk through that with our fellow brother or sister. And boy, we’ve learned a lot these past two weeks haven’t we? We don’t judge to punish, we judge our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to purify the church and lead them to repentance. And if we did that, the church would be a lot less hypocritical.
Now as we wrap up this series today, we’ll again talk about how there is a godly way to do this. We’ve thrown little hints at how to do this over the last few weeks. We said, before you judge someone else, first judge yourself and first remove the sin from your own life, remove the plank from your eye, then you will be able to see clearly enough to help your brother. Last week we also said that we can’t have the wrong attitude when we do this and unless we are grieved and our hearts are broken, perhaps this isn’t the time or we aren’t ready to help our brother. But when we are so hurt by what our brother is doing and how he is treating his Savior by his lifestyle choice, that we can go to them with a tear in our eye and say, “Fred, we need to talk.”

Turn with me to Matthew 18:12
I want you to see God the Father’s heart in all this and one practical way to do this.
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
(Catch the Father’s heart here. If he has 10 billion children and one of them has wandered off. He will leave the 9 billion 999milliion 999thouand 999 and go look for his lost child. This is the Father’s heart in all of this. This is why Jesus came to the earth and died for your sins and for mine.

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

We’ve talked about this verse before in Nov of 2006. And I know you all remember that message.

No one confronts people in the church. No one does this. But for our church family, I want this to be a part of our DNA. Why because I like to confront people, No. Because this is the Father’s heart. That if one of his sheep goes astray, more than just a mistake, more than just stumbling. But if one of his sheep chooses the wrong path and wanders far far away. The Father would leave the flock and go seek after the one lost sheep.

Let me close by telling you two things.
One, this past week the elders met and made a commitment to do a better job at watching over each of us who call Christ’s Church our home. We will be calling you or catching you at church or just sitting down for a Starbucks maybe once a month to pray for you and see how you’re doing. And if you’re weary and you begin to wander away from God, we want to be there for you and remind you how much the father loves you and longs for you to choose His love and choose to be a part of this family.

Second, we can’t do this alone. You know things about each other that we will never know because you confide in a group of friends here and you tell them things you will never tell me or one of the elders. Will you be someone who follows the Father’s heart and when you know someone is wandering away from the flock, will you be the one to call them back, and with a tear in your eye, remind them how much the Father loves them and wants them to come back to the flock. Maybe they don’t even come to this church. It doesn’t matter. The Father still loves them and needs us to call them home. This is family. This is what our Father desires of us.

So let's just do it. It's your job and my job to seek and save the lost.  When a fellow Christian begins to adopt a lifestyle or sin, a lifestyle contrary to what we know God wants, it's up to us to go after them.  Even if it means judging them, even if it means confronting them, the Father wouldn't let them wander without going after them.  The Father would never give up on them.  And neither will we.  Amen.  Amen. 

An Encouraging reminder in difficult times

Al Thomas:

The Lord Says, "I Show Myself Strong in Times of Lack"

After hearing the media, the world and even God's children talk about how bad the economy is, I went to the Lord to get His take on it. I tucked myself away in the prayer closet and closed the door. That's where God is hiding (Matthew 6:6). "Lord," I said, "people are saying: 'It looks bad. The economy is sinking and it's going to get worse.' What do You have to say to the Church about this economy?"

GOD SAYS: "I SHOW MYSELF STRONG IN TIMES OF LACK"

"I am not panicking about the world's economy. I am not the least bit worried about how I will take care of My children. I have not called an emergency meeting in Heaven to discuss the world's inflation crisis or the fuel prices. If I am not frightened neither should My children be. Have you forgotten how I have taken care of you in the past? When you hear the dreaded 'R' word = recession, be reminded of two other 'R' words: Remember and Rejoice.

"First, do you remember how I took care of Israel in the desert (Deuteronomy 2:7)? Do you remember how I took care of Elijah in a time of famine (1 Kings 17:7, 16)? Do you remember how I took care of Elisha with a widow (2 Kings 4:6)? Do you remember how I took care of Samaria in a time of famine (2 Kings 7:8)? Do you remember how My Son fed the multitude who followed Him (Matthew 14:20)? Then remember that I promised to take care of you (Philippians 4:19). Then, start to rejoice by faith as you ponder these things. Purposeful rejoicing increases your faith. The enemy wants you to only think about how bad it is; I want you to dwell on My goodness and faithfulness. Start remembering and rejoicing. Walking with Me isn't always easy. It wasn't meant to be. But it's worth it (Romans 8:18)."

GOD SAYS: "YOU KNOW COMPLAINING WON'T HELP, SO PRAISE ME INSTEAD"

"You're no fool. If you are under pressure financially, don't start to grumble like some people do. Don't complain, because you will be expressing exactly what the enemy wants you to express: Doubt, fear and worry. You know that I am capable of taking care of you, so don't make it difficult for yourself by murmuring (Philippians 2:14). No child of Mine (who walked in humility and obedience) ever fell into permanent financial ruin: 'I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread' (Psalm 37:25).

"Going through a stressful time with money doesn't always mean that you are disobedient. Some wrongly teach that if you are struggling financially you must be out of My will. Tell that to My saints of old: 'Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need' (Philippians 4:11, 12).

"Kick 'Mr. Complainer' out...invite 'Mr. Praiser' in. Complaining causes doubt. Praise clears the air of confusion and fear. Get up, tell doubt to shut up, and start to shout praises to Me!"

GOD SAYS: "THIS TRIAL WILL COME TO AN END. YOU KNOW THIS, SO HOLD ON"

"Yes, this season will end, and when it does, you'll be glad that you stood strong and waited on Me (Psalm 130:5). You are not going to give in to fear, instead you will hold on to My promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). Do everything you can to stay in alignment with My will for your life (Ephesians 6:13). You may have stumbled a bit. You may have had some momentary thoughts of bewilderment...but you will not quit! Don't give the devil the pleasure of letting him win. Like Joshua, you need to choose this day who you will serve (Joshua 24:15).

"Child of Mine, you are not alone! As I hold on to you (Psalm 139:10) you must hold on to Me. I Am faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Remember, the problem with money is that it never solves anything as long as it's solely in the world's system."

GOD SAYS: "BECAUSE YOU KNOW THIS, DON'T LET SATAN CAUSE YOU TO STOP GIVING"

"Fear is the main reason My children back off from giving. They fear that they will not have enough. Never react from fear, because the fruit of fear is torment (1 John 4:18). The fruit of faith is peace and provision.

"I am pleased when My children give even though they are overwhelmed with problems: 'Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints' (2 Corinthians 8:2-4).

"Note that they pleaded to give and they considered giving a privilege, not an obligation. I do not pressure my people to give (Exodus 25:2), because giving is an act of worship (1 Chronicles 29:14). Giving with an attitude of thankfulness and expectation can open Heaven's resources--to those who can responsibly handle my abundance--and I long to bless many with riches to further My Kingdom. In the meantime, let the so-called experts continue to shout 'the sky is falling, the sky is falling,' but remember Who made the sky, and the only way you're going to see it (and your supply) is to look up, not down. For My children, this can be a season of great blessings...if they open their hand, instead of closing it."

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life Ministries
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net

 

Al and Sherry Thomas travel extensively in America and Southeast Asia. Al and Sherry have a prophetic and healing anointing and have seen many miracles. They founded Celebrating His Life Ministries in 1997, and are gifted teachers of the Word. Prior to that date they served at Mount Hope Prison Ministry for three years. Al has pastored in Wisconsin and California and was associated with evangelist Jim Spillman, a great man of God who was known for miracles happening in his meetings. Al has walked in the healing anointing since 1997. They have seen blind eyes healed, deaf ears opened and many other healings. They minister gently and practically. They currently minister in approximately sixty churches a year.

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Happy Easter!

Hi Gang,

Today's Good Friday!  It was 2000 years ago that Jesus died on the cross that first Good Friday. But isn't that such a strange name for the day Jesus died?  Well, it's because of all the great things Jesus released for us on that day: open access to God, salvation, forgiveness, kingdom authority, the Holy Spirit, etc. 

This Easter, we're going to have a great service and hopefully we'll be podcasting and possibly vodcasting (Video Podcast) our Easter service. 

A few weeks ago, the Lord gave me the Easter message.  And like most Sundays, I can't say everything I want to communicate in that short time on Sunday.  So, I post those thoughts here. 

This Easter I believe the Lord is telling us that we will never understand what's happening in our lives or in His kingdom apart from his words to us. Easter Sunday I will share about when God speaks to us as He spoke to Mary Magdalene.  But God also speaks through His word.  Check out Luke 24:13-35. Those men on the road to Emmaus did not understand what was happening in their lives or the kingdom apart from Jesus explaining it from the Scriptures. 

We all want to know God's will for our lives because we want to follow His plan. We beleive He has our best interest in mind.  So stay close to Jesus, keep listening to Him speak to you, and remember the Scriptures. 

Love & Blessings!

pastor arlen

Kingdom Response

Luke 5:17-26 gives us a good picture of how people react or respond to God doing a new thing.

In Isaiah, God told us that he would do new things and that his thoughts are higher than ours. But somehow when we see something new happening, our first reaction can be to judge it. That's what the Pharisees did in this story. Yes they were trained, and yes they knew the Scriptures. But they were not in touch with the God of the Scriptures.

It's His power that was present with Jesus that enabled Him to heal and even to forgive sin.

At the end of this chapter we see the correct response to God's work and to the miracles of God. "Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God."

Friends, God is continually doing new and more wonderful things. Let's stay in touch with Him. But never lose the sense of awe and amazement at what God does. And He will do more and more because we cannot put God in a box much less keep Him there. And let's give praise to God.

Through praise we can command a blessing from God. And praise is the pathway of breakthrough in our lives.

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

The Old vs. The New

The gospels mark a major shift in God's work in the world.  The Old Testament looked forward to a day when the Messiah would come.  The turning point of the gospels is that the Messiah has come and he is changing everything. 

Read Luke 5:12-14.

In thte Old Testament, if you were to touch a leper like the one in the story, you would become "unclean". But from here on, when someone touches an unclean person, they become clean.  People have refered to this as the power of holiness. 

The kingdom of God is here and it's changing all the rules.  Are you willing to "touch" someone who is unclean or unacceptable in the name of Christ? That's what Jesus would do.  He would eat with sinners, cheaters, and prostitutes in order to communicate the life and love of God. 

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen