BE PRAYING FOR SUNDAY & THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE INVITED TO HEAR THE GOSPEL.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
When we do not have the proper focus of Christ, we are always subject to distracting and even heretical things.
These distractions are very unsettling to our souls.
Acts 15:24 says, “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”
Legalistic teachings and tones are not focused on Christ and are always unsettling to our souls.
Paul calls these teachings winds of doctrine.
Only being rooted and grounded in Christ Himself can save us from these kinds of things.
We need to have the same value system that the Triune God has in this universe–Christ.
It is Christ that must be our emphasis and our atmosphere.
If something else comes in and replaces Christ, regardless of how good it may be, it is a wind of doctrine.
It may be a good teaching from the Bible, it may be a particular practice, it may be a gift of the Spirit, it may be an emphasis upon a gifted person.
Whatever it may be, it will have the effect of unsettling our soul.
Anything that brings us down to a level lower than Christ is not the church.
The church’s emphasis and focus is always Christ.
With the full assurance of understanding that Christ is all and in all, we are solid, just like a rock.
Nothing can change or influence us.
We are not left to blow in the wind, wondering what direction we should take.
Our course is set and our way is clear because we are under revelation.
It is not a matter of speculation, negotiation, or experimentation.
Christ and the church is a matter of revelation.
Revelation motivates us!
Revelation is our leading!
Revelation is our mandate!
Once we see the revelation of the church as Christ, that very revelation becomes a mandate to practice the church life on this earth (Eph. 1:9-10).
We have no choice.
Indeed, the revelation is referred to by Paul as “the command of the eternal God” (Rom. 16:25-26).
The command is made known for the obedience of faith.
This is the ultimate issue of understanding the church as Christ–that we rise up to gather together to experience a rich Christ for the church life.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Jim Mabe
Paula Ferus
Marlon Cook
June Cronan
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Brandon’s Dad
Charlene Palmer
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Thaxton
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
David Harrison
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Easton Fielder
Eric Ward
Erik Magnusson
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Jillian Gray
Jodi Bateman
John Austin
John McClain
June Cronan
June Cronan’s Sister
Karen Slane
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lamar Knight
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Alexander
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Gipson – Ashley’s Brother
Ricky Stubbs
Rose Fuller
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Soso Nzolo – 17 Yr. Old South African Pastor’s Daughter
Jayne Hammond
Tom Witcher