10 Benefits To Abstinence

And now for a widely unpopular topic, with a positive spin: the Benefits of Abstinence as a Christian Single.
This post is going to be a touchy subject for many of us, but it needs to be clarified: There are many benefits to abstinence in the single life. There is a reason why God tells us to wait until marriage before having sex.

 

Keep in mind, I have been married so I know both sides of the topic I am discussing here. I have only ever been with my wife, and it was after we got married. She walked away on me, but I was true til the end of the marriage in 2009. I have since remained abstinent. And I am still alive and well!

Now before we continue, it is important I note that I am not writing this to draw attention to our past sins. We all have something negative in the past, BUT we simply confess it to Jesus and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us TODAY. (1 John 1:9-10). That is Good News!!
You are cleared from your past if you repent and turn to Jesus!

So the point of this article today is NOT to focus on what we DID in the PAST. The past is covered in the Blood of Jesus and forgiven. Rather it is to focus on what we practice TODAY! Today is the day we are in, and today is the day we can make a choice to either stay pure, or get pure. This post is meant to encourage and challenge you, and also to help generate new thoughts.

Scripture teaches that sex is designed by God ONLY for marriage (a licenced covenant wedding with signed witnesses), and so is cohabitation between man and woman. See Romans 13:13- "chambering" is disallowed (Greek: KOYTAY- means both sex and cohabitation) and Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage" (Greek: GAMOS) makes the "bed" (Greek: KOYTAY) pure. (Read in the King James version or the Geneva Version). 

Romans 13:13 KJV

13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

Romans 13:13 GENEVA VERSION

13So that we walk honestly, as in the day: not in gluttony, and drunkenness, neither in chambering and wantonness, nor in strife and envying.

Hebrews 13:4 KJV

4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Hebrews 13:4 GENEVA VERSION

4 Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Those of us who are single, or single-again need to find encouragement not in what we CAN'T do, but in what benefits we DO have as singles!

There are 10 benefits (at least) to sexual abstinence as a Christian Single:

1) There is a GODLY REWARD for keeping God's Word. (Psa. 19:7-14)

2) You stay UNTANGLED IN CONSCIENCE and EMOTIONS - keep your emotions and spirit from being entangled with people who have no intention of loving you or marrying you. And it keeps your conscience clear. Sometimes WE are the one doing the hurting, sometimes we are BEING hurt. Either way, abstaining from sex outside of marriage is a great way to minimize hurts and entanglements.

3) HEALTH - prevent the further spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

4) PREGNANCY PREVENTION- Prevent unexpected/undesired conception. Abstinence has a 100% Success rate!

5) WORTH - you elevate your SELF WORTH when you abstain from sexual relations outside of marriage.
Do you know your identity? Who are you in Christ? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) You are a HOLY TEMPLE! Your Body has been purchased by God with the blood of the Lamb!
A man of self-worth in Christ will say: "Only the woman who marries me is worthy of this temple of the Spirit- which is my body."
A woman of self-worth in Christ will say: "Only the man who marries me is worthy of this temple of the Spirit- which is my body."

We are made in the image of God. And God operates in covenants, like marriage, when it comes to relationships.

6) BECOME STRONGER AT SELF CONTROL - Self control -temperance- is a fruit of the Spirit. No one is perfect at it, but we can all work at it by God's grace! It is highly valued by God and is very essential to living a non-destrucive lifestyle. Everyone needs self control!
What is better? A proper dam that blocks/controls the water and generates electric power, or a broken dam resulting in a flooded-out town with costly damage?

7) CLEARER PERSPECTIVE - if and when you are dating, it is already tough to stay objective and try to guage where you are at in a relationship. Practicing sexual abstinence gives you a CUTTING EDGE of PERSPECTIVE that others will not have as a single in the dating world. Some will give their body in a relationship where the sex is nice, but everything else is a disaster. They often cannot see clearly enough to end the relationship, nor do they usually find the will power to do so, because the flesh hates to give up sex once it has been experienced.

8) HEALTHIER ATTITUDE TO RELATIONSHIPS in general- we are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. (1 Thess. 5:23) The Spirit comes first. We must live by the Spirit, and let the soul (mind, will and emotions) and body be ruled by our spirit. When we realize that people are spiritual beings FIRST, before they are soulish or sexual, we begin to approach relationships differently. We begin to focus on spirit and soul more than the body.
By practicing abstinence til marriage, we are allowing ourselves to see others' spirit and soul more.

9) ENHANCES SELFLESSNESS - Abstinence is an AWESOME way to practice being selfless, and to focus on serving others before yourself.

10) You are PRESERVED and PURE!
If the son mentioned in Proverbs 5:1-14 was wise, he would stay clear of fornication and adultery and enjoy the benefits:
Protection of honour and mercy (v9)
Protection of strength and labour (v10)
Protection of flesh and body (v11).

BONUS BENEFIT: 11) ELEVATES SEX to a place of honour, as within marriage. If you have a high opinion of sex as I do, then you will see the BENEFIT to waiting until marriage. It tells everyone, including any person you date, how special you think the sexual union is and how special God made it to be.

If you stay away from the wrong influences and act like your temple is WORTH something to God, and to others, and to yourself then you will see the BENEFITS to abstinence! Don't panic if this was not your way before. As I said, Jesus is more than willing to forgive and cleanse you. Just confess to Him, right here, right now. Let Him set you on this amazing path. It is a disciplined one, and unpopular in the world. It is difficult at times. It will test you. Rely on the Holy Spirit, because it is so very rewarding, and easy on the conscience.

God bless!

Dec 4th 2014 1:03am EST

God loves you, divorced or not

Today, and every day, God loves you fully. Believe Jesus and He will dwell with you in Spirit. He has held nothing back from you except for that which would harm you in your walk with Him. Go ahead and ask the Lord for what you desire, and be prepared to wait on His times and seasons. Bear the fruit of His character. (John 15:16; Gal 5:22-23) Be forgiving.

Believe me when I tell you: He cares about and has compassion on our tragedies like divorce, and sees the soul who longs to love and to be loved and says: "I still love you child. Do you love Me?"

Others may have abandoned you or cheated you or betrayed you. But God is still here, faithful and righteous. He is here right now. God loves YOU, and does not see you as a "number" or a "marital status". As a believer in Jesus, He sees you as one of His sons (or daughters) of God! Don't run into the arms of another person out of fear or out of loneliness. Run into the arms of the Lord first. Let Him hold you for a while, even a year or two or more. Don't worry if no one is in your personal romantic life just yet. God is sufficient for this time. Spend time in your local church. Serve the people. Fellowship in the Body of Christ! Don't hide. I speak this as one who has walked the "single again" life for over 5 years. By God's grace and strength alone, I continue this walk.

1 John chapter 3 has been water to my soul today. Drink it in.
Take time to commune with the Lord today, and also to read the chapter. Here are some verses that really stand out to me. The Spirit has made them come alive to my spirit.

1 John 3 (Geveva Version)
1 Behold, what LOVE the Father hath given to us, that we should be called the sons of God: For this cause this world knoweth you not, because it knoweth not him.
---
16 Hereby have we perceived love, that he laid down his life for us: therefore we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren.---
19 For thereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall before him assure our hearts.
20 For if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we boldness toward God.22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.---
23 This is then his commandment, that we believe in the Name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave commandment.---
Does God not deserve our best in service today? Help your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be an outlet of love in Jesus who is the Way he Truth and the Life.

And as we serve in love, and gladness, know that you may ask the Lord in holiness for what you desire. Do not let your heart condemn you, for John tells us, God is greater than our very heart! I think many divorced Christians who were faithful still struggle to move on and ask God for a new chapter in life. There may be pockets of self-condemnation left. There does not need to be any such self-condemnation. Jesus has paid for it all on the cross, including our own sins. We walk in the Spirit, NOT in condemnation. But if you still struggle with self-condemnation, God understands you. I understand you too. (Read my story on this blog.) That is what John was conveying in verse 20. But how much more boldness you will gain in God in the day when you are able to release all your faults and fears to Jesus and walk in freedom!

Perhaps you are hoping to find a new spouse. Then just ask. Don't condemn yourself, for God is hearing you. But another important thing to ask God is for the purpose behind this season you are currently in. Ask God to help you serve others selflessly, just as Jesus did. A season of loss is like a pruning of the branch. It actually works to help you bear MORE fruit in Christ, not less. We need to see the Love of God in a greater scope. May God give us spiritual eyes! I sense that I may be writing on this topic some more: the relationship between bearing fruit and prayer requests.

God bless you! Walk in His Spirit and His Love today and every day.

- Pastor Curtis
Sat. Nov 8, 2014 7:08AM EST

Follow Those Things Which Concern Peace

I wanted us all to take a close look at the book of Romans chapter 14.

Romans 14:5 (GENEVA) This man esteemeth one day above another day, and another man counteth every day alike: let every man be fully persuaded in his mind.

Rom 14:6a He that observeth the day, observeth it to the Lord: and he that observeth not the day, observeth it not to the Lord...

Rom 14:9 For Christ therefore died and rose again, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and the quick.
Rom 14:10 But why dost thou condemn thy brother? or why dost thou despise thy brother? for we shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded through the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but unto him that judgeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God, is not meat nor drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost.

Rom 14:18-23
18 For whosoever in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable unto God, and is approved of men.

19 Let us then follow those things which concern peace, and wherewith one may edify another.

20 Destroy not the work of God for meat’s sake: all things indeed are pure: but it is evil for the man which eateth with offense.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or made weak.

22 Hast thou faith? have it with thyself before God: blessed is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23 For he that doubteth, is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.

The day of halloween is a troubling time for me, but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, I'll admit it is my least favourite occasion. I have personal reasons to downplay halloween as a normal, average day. I don't force those reasons on anyone else. But people often have trouble understanding me when they inquire. It's ok.
I do my very best to honour Paul's advice in Romans 14 and let the main thing BE the main thing. That Christ died and then rose again, in order to have a redeemed people for Himself, that is the main thing!

I am not here to convince you of my opinion on halloween. I have Bible verses I use, but I won't use them here. If someone asks, I tell. And I know you as a believer, beloved of Christ, might have an opinion and set of verses different than my own. I will save you the trouble:
you won't convince me of your opinion any more than I will convince you of my own.

What really matters is that we are all saved by the grace of Christ, as we confess Jesus as Lord. Days come and days go, but is it the Lord Jesus you know?

However you choose to handle halloween, or any other day for that matter is your personal business between you and Jesus. If you have the faith to do something, and you do it unto Christ, He accepts it.
If you do NOT have faith to accept something, then do not ACCEPT or PRACTICE it. Paul clearly teaches that if one does not have the faith to celebrate a day (or eat a type of food) then do not celebrate it!
Whatsoever is not of FAITH is sin. So please don't allow yourself to be pressured to do something you don't have faith for. You are still a valid believer in the Body of Christ!

 I am perfectly happy to honour Reformation Day on October 31st. It is the day in 1517 when Martin Luther is said to have nailed his 95 thesis statements on the door of the church at Wittenburg.
I can celebrate this day, because it marks a period of time when sincere believers rediscovered the Biblical doctrine of justification by grace alone. That is something I can get behind and rejoice in. And it happens to fall on October 31st. It may be something for you to focus on as well. I leave that up to you.

Now, to get to the trouble I have: satan has a work he does on days such as halloween. It's not the death-themes or evil looking costumes I am referring to.
It's the strife and division amongst the saints. I must say that satan does not care what you
believe about halloween or Christmas traditions or Easter traditions. What he cares about is that you pick a side and then judge those who are on the other side of the argument. ANYthing to take the focus off of Jesus the LORD who paid for our sins in His Blood! The last thing satan wants is for the blood of Jesus to take effect on all souls who come to be cleansed by it.
As long as we are arguing about days or foods, we are no longer edifying each other or blessing Jesus Christ our Lord and God.

That is indeed what troubles me. And yet, I am with hope. I firmly believe in Love. Truth and Love are found perfectly united in Christ. And no day or food or tradition is going to stop me from loving and respecting my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I don't have to agree with them on the small stuff in order to love them. My opinion of days or foods is of less importance than your salvation. Your opinion of days and foods is also secondary to my own salvation. I never want you to lose faith in Christ or stumble because of my mere opinion. I'm allowed to have an opinion, as long as I don't use it to wound others. The same goes for all believers, you, me, and all the saints.

 Jesus loves you and me the same, and He expects us to respect one another and be mindful of our equal footing as citizens of heaven.
We need to remember it is Christ who unites us, not the traditions/days/foods of man. The observance of days cannot save us, or win souls. Only the preaching of the Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit will accomplish that.

And since the keeping of days is a type of works, we know that no one is saved or condemned by the days they keep.
People are saved by GRACE when they confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9) They are condemned if they do not believe Jesus (Mark 16:16). That is all there is to it. There is no work that can save us, but the work Jesus already accomplished on the cross at Calvary!

Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead by sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, by whose grace ye are saved,

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God

Let us take the Bible's advice, and "follow those things which concern peace, and wherewith one may edify another." (Rom. 14:19)

God bless! With Love in Christ.

Sat. Nov. 1st 2014 8:52PM

A Positive Word on a Sad Day

This afternoon I was visiting my parents. I was talking with my father, a Godly man who moves in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He operates in the gift of word of Knowledge from time to time. He explained to me that he felt the Lord telling him yesterday that my sister would contact him (she lives out of town). The very next day, today, she did in fact call my parents out of the blue. My father is in tune with the Holy Spirit and this is just one of many examples. He hears very well from the Lord. For this reason, and many others, I take what he speaks to heart. As for dad, he is humble and gives God all the glory, for God deserves all of it!
Now, after telling me that story, he says that he wants to tell me what the Lord has impressed upon him in the last day or so. He said he has been praying for me and felt the Lord say that something good is coming my way. 

I told him "I receive it" and thanked him for relaying God's message to me. I needed to hear that. I am used to hearing a mix of positive and negative words from various sources. The negative ones I hand over to God because I can't carry them! But this word was very positive!

See, my dad did not know that today was the exact day of my divorce, 5 years ago. He knew I was divorced, but not the exact day. Nobody, not even I, was thinking of it. (Read my blog post on here called "Thankful Reflections" from Feb. 19, 2013, to learn my story.)  And after he spoke to me, I suddenly remembered that this is in fact the day my divorce was legal and final. Well over six years ago, my dad knew, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that something was about to happen to my marriage, just before the breakup actually happened. He was prepared when the news actually came to him. God revealed it to him to prepare him to pray. God knew I was going to need it. Again, I take the words of my dad to heart because he is in tune with the Lord.

October 15th has been a sad day these past 5 years. A day of loss and heartbreak and of a world crashing down.

Yet it birthed a new season, out of which was born healing, blessings, music, peace and ministry. Those things were gifts from the Lord that I gave to others out of my singleness. In that way, singleness has been a gift, and a ministry, just as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:7 and throughout the chapter.

Since that time, challenges and trials were there in work, ministry and home life, along with much blessing. And I was grateful. Ups and downs occurred. But I stayed on track and steadfast with the help of Jesus Christ my Lord. God has made improvements in my character and my habits and life. All glory is to Him! Also, I have not dated since the divorce, for reasons I only have partial understanding of. God knows my times and seasons and that is good enough for me.

Spring blossoms- Photograph by Curtis J. Alexander (c) 2008

So as sad as this day is, the Lord has given me a new and powerful word of hope that breathes life into a day like today. God is turning my day around, and making sadness into gladness. I don't know the specifics of the "good" that is coming, and neither does my dad. But I know God IS good, and He is willing and able to bring something good and fresh my way! It truly encouraged me to hear this word today, of all days. I know it was not a coincidence. And it inspires hope.

So I am writing this post now, to agree with the prophetic word given. I am ready for a positive change in my life, a miracle from the LORD. I am ready for something good to bud on these branches that have been thoroughly pruned.

-- Wed. Oct. 15, 2014 8:43PM EST

Man of God Prayer List

Man Of God Prayer List

I would like to invite you. If you are divorced, widowed, or single, and a Christian man, please contact me. I would like to add you to my prayer list. God spoke to me and told me to move beyond my self I must pray for other men. Why? Because I know what they are feeling. I understand the pain of divorce, abandonment, and sudden loss of marriage. I understand what it is to be in ministry and have a wife just give up and walk away. Being faithful is not always easy, but I was in the Grace of God. There are other men like this.

Now, I want to pour my heart and pain into the prayer bowls of heaven for the men God has placed on my heart. My list is up on my wall, and it will be right in the area where I am usually my weakest in the flesh. It will be a two-edged sword against temptation and satan.

Men of God, arise. Jesus has a powerful purpose for you, regardless of what people say or do to you. It does not matter what your status is, or your past. You are forgiven and pure in the blood and grace of Christ. You have a job to do for Christ. Be mighty! That is what He enables you to BE!

Women of God, your purpose is also secure in Christ, regardless of the hurts people have inflicted on you.

Know that I have nothing but compassion and understanding for you all. Faithfulness is sometimes met with abandonment and cheating sadly. Both sexes are both prone to sin. But no matter what, God rewards faithfulness! Be faithful to Christ and His Body. Be faithful to each other. God can forgive those who were unfaithful. Just come to Jesus in repentance and a pure heart.

My divorce will be 5 years old as of Oct. 15. I will resist the temptation to feel sorry for myself. Yes, dating has been non-existent for me. Not sure of all the reasons. But instead of worrying about it, I will arm myself with God's weapons of prayer and praise, in the power of the Holy Ghost and with a deep compassion and tears for the saints. So many faithful men, although not perfect, have been faithful as I was. But they experienced loss. Some are experiencing loss right now and are in the midst of the storm. So I will pray for them.

And bear in mind, this is a no-hold-barred prayer list. As I have experienced deep pruning, and removal of personal flaws, and shaping in my life as a man, so will you. If you ask to be on my list, expect God to shape His character in you, and expect Him to deal with hidden sin in your life. We all have to come to the light. Expect His comfort and healing and love and purpose to be made clear to you. We all have much more to do for Him. I am NOT at my destination and I still need prayer myself. I still have growing to do myself. Pray for me too, please! But thank the Lord He has shaped me more, and delivered me from a lot of my fleshly tendencies. All by Grace. I simply agreed with Him and came to the light.

My No-Holds-Barred Prayer list:
I will pray for men of God on my list. Some of the things I will pray:

- Power to serve God without distraction, and in holiness, by the power of the Holy Spirit, especially for the single, divorced and widowed men of God.
- Power to heal from past hurts/divorces/deaths
- Power to have self control over one's own body by the Spirit of God.
- Power to overcome hidden sins, such as pornography, eye lust, mind lust, or wrongful online chats etc.
- Poweful and Healing, Peace, and Comfort of the Holy Ghost.
- The power to meet a true woman of God and marry at the right time. This may not apply to you if you are single and do NOT desire a wife. I know men like that, but most men do desire marriage. Both paths are perfectly fine.
- Poweful Patience (AKA Cheerful endurance)!
- Powerful Joy (AKA  Calm delight).
- Power to find your identity ONLY in Christ Jesus.
- Power to heal marriages that are suffering right now.
- For separated married men to stay faithful to their wife, even if it ends in divorce (reconciliation is ideal, but it doesn't always happen.) You are not single until either you are legally divorced or a widower. Stay true til the end, whatever end it is! You are not free to date as a separated person, because you are still legally and spiritually bound by your marriage. (This is a very tough test, but by God's grace, I did honour my marriage til the end. I did not date anyone else. When I was separated, I just kept trying to call my wife to take her place beside me.) Now, if you fail, then don't panic! Repent, and let God correct your actions. He will forgive you! Dating is for legal singles only. I was not kidding when I said my prayers are "no holds barred"! We must wrestle the flesh into submission by the power of Christ!  
- For single Christian men to date the opposite sex wisely in Christ, and not be too hurried. And that there will be NO premarital sex or cohabitation (no "Chambering" -see Romans 13:13 in the KJV or Geneva Version). As a follower of Christ, we must honour God's standards. Sex and cohabitation are exclusively reserved by God, for a man and woman who are legally married, and have had the wedding certificate signed by witnesses.
- Power to trust all your unmet desires to Christ and let Him satisfy your soul like no one else can.
- Power to ASK God and BELIEVE God. He will still answer your prayers! The timing is up to Him, but He is faithful always. There is no shame in asking Him for what you desire! Your desires matter to God! Just be sure to honour HIS desires above your own.

And women of God, if you are reading this, perhaps it is time you expanded your vision to start a prayer list for women you relate to. Pray for them every day. Women also have many struggles and you may be just the right person to intercede for them.
 There is no doubt you probably already have such a list.

Men, if you have a prayer list, please add me!

Men in Christ: contact me privately at curtis.alexander@sympatico.ca if you want me to add you to my prayer list. You don't have to give all the details, if you don't wish to. Just tell me what your status is and that you are looking for prayer.

God bless you in Christ!  

Pastor Curtis
Thurs. Oct. 2, 2014, 2:18pm EST

It Is Reasonable To Serve Christ

"I Beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye give up your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable serving of God."
Romans 12:1 (1599 GNV)

Serving God as a Christian believer is the most reasonable thing to do. Afterall, Jesus gave the ultimate gift and died for our sins. And then He rose again and gave gifts to His followers. And it is powerful.

So, God will not ask for a service that is unreasonable. He will always accept the gift that you offer Him if it is done in love, holiness, and in the Name of Jesus.
We all strive to offer the sacrifice of praise and worship. We all offer our time and prayer. We all strive to read the Word and let Him speak to us.

Offering our bodies to God as a living sacrifice is a gift we give to God. It is a holy, pure, and acceptable gift in the blood of Jesus. It is also holy because we make choices to stay pure in day to day living. But being in the blood of Jesus is crucial.
Though we all share similarities in how we offer our bodies as a gift to God, it will also depend on whether we are single or married, and whether we have children or not.

Those believers who are married are serving God by serving their spouse and offering their body to their spouse. And what a gift that is. This most certainly includes the holy union of marital sex. But also goes beyond sex to everyday living. We offer ourselves to our spouse out of our love for God and thus, we help our spouse with any daily task or offer any affection or understanding they may need. That is acceptable and holy to God. A true gift. And the married person also pleases God by taking time to serve Him in the church. But such time is lessened by their responsibilities at home.
You as a married person, are giving to God, and to your spouse, and to your church. God loves a holy acceptable sacrifice, a gift of love and faithfulness.

A single person offers their body to God with the same blood of Jesus and same holiness. Yet there are different aspects: the single person offers their gift to God with more focus on ministry and on blessing other believers in the church. They have more time for that kind of ministry. This is a true gift that you are giving as a single believer: to God and to those God loves: your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Single people typically have more time. It is reasonable to offer that time as a sacrifice and a gift to God and His people.

And for singles with children, they have the time to bless their children, and raise them to believe on Christ and to discipline them to go to church as believers (Hebrews 10:25). That is  a special and precious gift they have: to be able to raise children in holy reverence to God and to show them the value of regular fellowship and service! By raising children, either with or without a spouse, that is another way in which we offer our bodies to God. God loves your children and desires to see them succeed in Him! He is well-pleased with your sacrifice to Him in raising them up. He knows it is not easy. Again, this is a true gift. You are giving it to God and to your children. Also, single parents can serve in the church and teach their children to do the same. Another precious gift.

Whatever you do with your body and whatever gifts you have in your life, offer it back to God as a gift. Serve and lead with your heart stayed on God. We all have different gifts to draw from: time, a spouse, and/or children. But we are all gifted. Christ in our hearts is the greatest gift of all!

The key is this: The gifts we receive from Jesus are not -really- for us... They are for us to give! We give to God and we give to each other. Be holy and be reasonable: serve Jesus! He loves you and accepts you in Himself.

God bless!

Pastor Curtis
Thur. Sept. 25, 2014 5:06 PM EST

All Things New

On Sunday, during worship service, I saw a vision of a Throne, and I saw the side and the rear part of it. And I saw peoples flowing to it. I knew this was a vision of the Throne of Jesus, who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Tonight, Thursday Sept. 4th, 2014, without synchronizing it, Pastor Tracy preached about the Throne of God. I thought that was a wonderful confirming word.

Her topic at the service this evening was "Behold I make all things new" from Rev. 21:5 (KJV)
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."

If ever there was a time I needed to hear this, it is now. I am thankful for the future, eternal new life I have in heaven. And I am grateful for being made a new creation in Christ right now. I just think that I could benefit from God making something new come of my circumstances. They have been the same for a while now. I felt as if the Lord was saying tonight, "this is a NOW word for you, and I can make your situation new." So that is what I pray. I post this to you as Christian friends of mine, and I want to encourage you that God can make not just YOU and your nature new, but He can also make your situation NEW. He never wastes a season. He makes use of it. But then He changes the season. I feel that it is time for seasons to change. Somehow, in some way. 
Believe God to make ALL things new in His timing! Nothing is left out. All means all. If you need something new to happen, ask Jesus. This word is not JUST for the future. It can and does apply to us as believers right now! 

Blessings
Pastor Curtis

Thurs Sept. 4, 2014 11:50pm EST