Selah Christian Church Blog !!!

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010

April 20, 2010 ~ Above All: Remember you can't send a duck to eagle school

Too often we think everyone should fit a certain mold when

in truth God created us all different...Love one another!!!

Video thought of the day: Click link below
http://www.eagleschoolmovie.com/index.html

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers…"

I Peter 4:8

So often, people try to make others fit into their mold and be just like them. We think, "If they would just change, then I wouldn't get upset. If they would just do it the way I want, then they wouldn't get on my nerves." But really, we need to give people room to be who God created them to be.

Life is too short to spend it trying to fix everybody.

Sure, we should encourage people and help them grow and come up higher. But we have to come to the point where we step back and say,

"All right, this is who God made them to be, and I'm going to accept them the way they are. Just because they don't have my same strengths, I'm not going to let that frustrate me."

Selah people' and friends we have to choose love every day because love covers over our differences and offenses. Love is what allows us to appreciate what others bring into our lives, and it brings us together in unity. I see it everyday in my work that when leaders try to police, push or pull their workers they just spin their wheels and breed hate and distrust. Those of us who step out of the box and truly care and love our coworkers with all their faults and imperfections obtain wonderful success and feel so much better doint it. Those of us whom try to fit our ducks where they belong instead forcing them into the wrong jobs literally get our "ducks in a row."

This inspirational movie echos the word we shared today when it speaks to us to Love "Above all"...I also think the poem it closes with helps us keep it all in perspective.

Go to the people.

Live among the people

Learn from them.

Start with what they know

build on what they have.

But of the best leaders,
When their task is accomplished

Their work is done,

They will say...

"We have done it ourselves!"

Today, above all, choose love. Choose to focus on the things that make your relationships stronger because in the end, love is all that remains.

"Father in heaven, today I choose to set my heart and mind on You. I choose to love others the way You have commanded. Give me the strength to walk in Your ways and understand Your love more each day. Help me to allow the ducks to be ducks, the eagles to be eagles and for each person to grow into the creation that you desire them to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen. "

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian ChurchFour Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:
http://selahmedia.tripod.com/

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:
http://selahchurch.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 19, 2010

April 19, 2010 ~ Iron Sharpens Iron

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another"

Proverbs 27:17

One of the best things I've learned is that God does not bring people into my life so I can make them just like me. God wants us to be different. He's given us different personalities, different strengths, different hobbies and different looks.

He's made us all different so we can sharpen one another and cause each other to rise up higher in life.

Selah people' and friends if you're going to be happy and enjoy your relationships, you've got to learn how to appreciate the differences and learn from the people in your life. If you don't focus on the right things, you'll end up allowing the little irritations to cause you to become resentful. Remember, nobody is perfect. If you're going to grow, you've got to be willing to overlook some things. Our assignment is not to fix people. Our assignment is to love people. Our assignment is to sharpen one another so we can move forward in the good plan God has prepared.

"Father God, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me see them the way You see them. Help me to appreciate the ways we sharpen one another so that we can help each other fulfill Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

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Sunday, April 18, 2010

April 18, 2010 ~ FREE FOR ALL

Do you fear and respect the Lord? If so then you have no

need to fear what else life or death may bring as God is with you.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"…God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right"

Acts 10:34-35

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom–and God's freedom is free for everyone! It doesn't matter what your nationality or heritage is, or who your family is. It doesn't matter how much money you have or don't have;

God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him!

God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honor Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you.

Selah people' and friends don't let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessing in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honoring Him and doing what is right, and you'll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"Father in heaven, thank You for loving and accepting me today. I choose to do what is right and honor You with my attitude, words and actions. Holy Spirit, show me if there is any area that is not pleasing to You and help me live as an example of Your goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

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Friday, April 16, 2010

April 16th, 2010 ~ Enjoy the Journey

Are you making the most of your mountain top experiences and
are you anticipating another God has planned for you and those you love?

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day"

Proverbs 4:18

Sometimes it's easy to become so goal-oriented and so focused on our dreams that we overlook the simple things that we should be enjoying in our everyday life. But we have to remember that life is not really about the destination, it's about how we live all along the way. It's about the path we're on that shines brighter and brighter.

In this life, there is no such thing as a finish line. Once you accomplish one dream, God will give you another. When you overcome one challenge, there will be another.

There is always another mountain to climb.

If we make the mistake of just living for the destination, we'll look up one day and realize we've missed out on the biggest part of life because most of life is routine. Most of us get up every morning, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed and do it again.

Selah people' and friends there are very few mountaintops where you graduate from school, or you get married, or have a child, or go on vacation. The high times are few and far between. Don't get stuck living for the mountaintops. Learn to enjoy the path you're on. Learn to enjoy the people in your life. Learn to enjoy the simple blessings of walking in the path the Lord has prepared for you.

"Father God, thank You for the gift of life. Thank You for the good plan You have for me today and for my future. Teach me to enjoy the journey of life, to embrace each day with joy and enthusiasm. Help me to see the blessings of every moment You have given me. In Jesus' Name. Amen"

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

April 15th, 2010 ~ Leaning On The Lord

Jesus is the good shepherd cling to him and not your own understanding...

Today's Scripture:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

If you are going to lean on something, the first thing you want to do is to make certain it can hold you up. The greater the risk, the more certain you want to be. You may not test the strength of every chair you're considering sitting on, but it's fairly certain that you will test the integrity of a bungee cord before attaching it to your feet and leaping off a bridge. Your trust in the strength and reliability of the bungee cord allows you to lean on its ability to save you. It still may take a lot of courage to go ahead and jump, however.

Believing in God is all about risk and trust. It tells you to turn away from what you're accustomed to relying on- your own strategies for making life work - and instead to trust God implicitly, even when what he's asking you to do may not make sense from a human perspective. Think about what God asked of Moses at the Red Sea or of Daniel in the lion's den. Moses and Daniel were able to rely on God instead of on their own understanding because past experience had shown them he was wholly trustworthy.

Every past experience was once a present choice.

God challenges you and me to choose wisely today. We can lean on our own limited understanding and abilities or on a God of unlimited power and love. Only one choice can take you where you really want to go. I have preached this message so many times and have blessed to have witnessed first hand lives that have been changed and miracles that have taken place through the power of leaning on our Lord and letting go of our past. I here the message just as clear today in this blog as the first time that this word spoke to me as a 17 year old boy who thought he knew everything and really knew very little. I'm thankful that our God is there for each of us to lean on and pull us through all that life throws as us.

"Put what you've learned into practice. Think of why you believe God is trustworthy, focusing on his promises and past faithfulness. Review this list you've made anytime you need courage to lean on him instead of yourself. God will get us through if only we will rely on Him to be our Good shepherd."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

April 14, 2010 ~ Conversion!

Has God shone you the light? Have you been converted
just like Saul he became Paul? Don't turn away but face God today...

Today's Scripture:

Acts 9:1-20

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed , he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said , Who art thou , Lord? And the Lord said , I am Jesus whom thou persecutest : it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said , Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? And the Lord said unto him, Arise , and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do . 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened , he saw no man: but they led him by the hand , and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight , and neither did eat nor drink . 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said , Behold , I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise , and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold , he prayeth , 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in , and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight . 13 Then Ananias answered , Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way : for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake . 17 And Ananias went his way , and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said , Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest , hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight , and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose , and was baptized . 19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened . Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

The keyword in this message is conversion. Saul was converted to Paul. Paul's new sight, given to him through Jesus' dramatic intersession, was an "insight" into the Word of God. Because of the zealous ways in which Saul had persecuted the Christians through his Jewish eyes, Jesus must have seen the great possibilities of converting that zealousness for the good of Christianity. This would seem to be quite a risk, by some, but it definitely paid off to the advantage Christ was expecting. In this decision, the Good News was spread far and wide throughout the Roman Empire by Paul's three missionary journeys.

Saul's conversion from a persecutor to an apostle confirms the Good News is this:

Forgiveness and eternal life are available to all people and are gifts of God's grace through having faith in Christ.

There is nothing you can do to remove yourself from forgiveness through God's grace.

"Selah people' and friends sometimes we are aware of God's intervention in dramatic ways. Sometimes the intervening may be so subtle as to miss it entirely. During the coming week, look for ways God's intervention may present itself in your daily routine. Your simple acts of kindness may turn into moments of renewed faith through the grace of God. Start today with a conversation, Where did you see God in your life today?"

It is my humble prayer that your eyes will be opened as to what God has for you.

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

April 13th, 2010 ~ The 100/0 Principle

What can you do when you give 100%...?

Today's Scripture:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

Brian Tracy said..."Eighty percent of life's satisfaction comes from meaningful relationships." Think about it...when you look back at the end of your life what will really matter? Five words..."the quality of your relationships."

So here's the question: "If your relationships are the most important part of your life, what are you doing to make them all they can be?"

The 100/0 Principle is a powerful message and is truly life-changing. You've probably heard it said, it's not what you say, but how you say it, that turns the switch from "off" to "on."

In the book, 212°...The Extra Degree, is a great example of that, but...The 100/0 Principle is even better. The examples, the stories, the quotes provoke many "a-ha" moments. Simply put, this is a book that can make your marriage better and greatly improve your relationships with family members, friends, co-workers and...even your boss.

Here's a brief excerpt from The 100/0 Principle I share it with you today to inspire and encourage you that it can be better and that God will use you and all He has given you to make it better. Enjoy!

Excerpt from The 100/0 Principle, by Al Ritter:

What is the most effective way to create and sustain great relationships with others? It's The 100/0 Principle: You take full responsibility (the 100) for the relationship, expecting nothing (the 0) in return.

Implementing The 100/0 Principle is not natural for most of us. It takes real commitment to the relationship and a good dose of self-discipline to think, act and give 100 percent.

The 100/0 Principle applies to those people in your life where the relationships are too important to react automatically or judgmentally. Each of us must determine the relationships to which this principle should apply. For most of us, it applies to work associates, customers, suppliers, family and friends.

STEP 1 - Determine what you can do to make the relationship work...then do it. Demonstrate respect and kindness to the other person, whether he/she deserves it or not.

STEP 2 - Do not expect anything in return. Zero, zip, nada.

STEP 3 - Do not allow anything the other person says or does (no matter how annoying!) to affect you. In other words, don't take the bait.

STEP 4 - Be persistent with your graciousness and kindness. Often we give up too soon, especially when others don't respond in kind. Remember to expect nothing in return.

At times (usually few), the relationship can remain challenging, even toxic, despite your 100 percent commitment and self-discipline. When this occurs, you need to avoid being the "Knower" and shift to being the "Learner." Avoid Knower statements/ thoughts like "that won't work," "I'm right, you are wrong," "I know it and you don't," "I'll teach you," "that's just the way it is," "I need to tell you what I know," etc.

Instead use Learner statements/thoughts like "Let me find out what is going on and try to understand the situation," "I could be wrong," "I wonder if there is anything of value here," "I wonder if..." etc. In other words, as a Learner, be curious!

Principle Paradox

This may strike you as strange, but here's the paradox: When you take authentic responsibility for a relationship, more often than not the other person quickly chooses to take responsibility as well. Consequently, the 100/0 relationship quickly transforms into something approaching 100/100. When that occurs, true breakthroughs happen for the individuals involved, their teams, their organizations and their families.

"Join me today to prayerfully make a change by taking a leap of faith knowing that through Christ all things are possible...Yes, all things! Are you giving 100% start today, not worrying about what your spouse, friend, coworker or teammates are giving in return. God will work it out and you and I can experience the blessing of wonderful relationships for a lifetime."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Monday, April 12, 2010

April 12, 2010 ~ Something Beautiful UNPLUGGED Video

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=dd3e9cc44adf53710ecd

In a simple and direct approach Need To Breath shares a song of how God is here for you today. He is sharing something beautiful with each of us if we will just open our eyes and our hearts to Him.

Your Pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Sunday, April 11, 2010

April 11, 2010 ~ Take Heart

When I feel the world try to break me down I have to look

inside my heart that my Lord has given me..."Be of good cheer!"

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"

(John 16:33, NIV)

Every day, things come against us in life to try to steal our joy and rob us of our victory. In fact, throughout your whole life, the enemy has had one mission—to kill, steal and destroy your hope, vision and happiness. But I love what it says in today's verse, "take heart." In one translation it says,

"Be of good cheer." Now that may seem strange to say right after "in this world you will have trouble," but when we truly understand that we are overcomers in Christ Jesus, we can be joyful no matter what the circumstances look like.

We don't have to allow our emotions to get rattled. We don't have to let our nerves go haywire. We can find rest knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm us.

We have to remember; the things that happen in this life are temporary. We are in this world but not of it. We need to keep our focus on eternal things, things above. Sure, we will have trouble in this life, but we can stay encouraged because in eternity, we are overcomers through Christ Jesus!

"Father God, I humbly come to You today. I ask that You help me stay focused on eternal things. I choose to have joy and peace no matter what comes my way because I know I have the ultimate victory in You. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:
http://selahmedia.tripod.com/

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Friday, April 9, 2010

April 9th, 2010 ~ My Help Comes From The Lord (Video)

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=d74638d2cbc028279879

With whom does your help come? Join me in putting your trust in the Lord and not yourself or man. It is my prayer as your brother in Christ that you will gain strength in the refuge and help that only Christ can provide. Be strong in the Lord and have a blessed week!

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:
http://selahmedia.tripod.com/

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

April 7, 2010 ~ Misguided Love $$$

Whom do you love? Money promises more than it can ever deliver.

Today's Scripture:

Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth - except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers!

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

The book of Ecclesiastes includes one of the most important financial truths you'll ever hear. If you love money and the things it can buy, better budgeting, a higher paying job, or even that winning lottery ticket you seek can't make you happy or alleviate your financial worries. The only deciding factor that you can really depend on is to decide to pursue a fresh, new focus.

Love focuses on what it desires. When you desire God, you spend your time and energy getting to know him better and doing what pleases him. When you desire money, you spend your time and energy fueling an atmosphere of greed, instead of nurturing a sense of contentment. A deep desire for wealth can tempt you to do things you normally wouldn't consider, like cheating, lying, or stealing. You don't need to do anything illegal to fall for temptations like these. All it takes is holding on to the riches God has given you with a tight grip instead of opening your arms, and hoarding your blessings instead of sharing them.

Selah people' and friends the book of Ecclesiastes is all about how meaningless life is apart from God.

Pursing riches more vigorously than a relationship with your God will lead you to only one place - an impoverished life.

(Even if your bank account seems to say otherwise!)

Instead of focusing on money, focus on God, the source of wealth. Thank him for how he has blessed you, and share what he has so generously given. You will find yourself rich in joy and contentment.

"Money promises more than it can ever deliver. God will never do that to you. The treasures he promises his children are both certain and eternal."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church

Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com/

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:
http://selahmedia.tripod.com/

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

April 6th, 2010 ~ Woody Allen & Billy Graham Part 2

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=b309e5fa9da560fde1ff

Second part of the interview I shared yesterday on the blog. I find Rev Graham and I have a similar vice of coffee. I wonder if Woody ever made it to a revival.

In Christ service,

Rev Patrick Muston

Monday, April 5, 2010

April 5, 2010 ~ Woody Allen interviews Billy Graham

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=878637470ceb75d5e340

Very interesting banter between two morally, ethically and spiritually different people. Really nice to see Billy Graham represent and live the gospel. Real inspirational to see him at work.

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Sunday, April 4, 2010

April 4th, 2010 ~ Moving On

Our Lord is a forgiving God and when He forgives He also forgets...

Today's Scripture:

The LORD says, "Do not remember the former things, Now shall it spring forth; shall you not know it?"

Isaiah 43: 18-19

The people of Israel made plenty of mistakes and suffered generations of consequences. They'd been slaves in Egypt, wandered the desert for forty years, and were presently at war with Assyria. Because of repeatedly disobeying and distancing themselves from God, they'd lived with crippling fear, enemy invasions, and back-breaking bondage off and on for centuries. Along with words of rebuke and warning, the prophet Isaiah offered those desperate people words of hope, which summed up the heart of his message.

Through Isaiah, God promised his people he was doing something fresh innovative. The Hebrew word for new conveys both expectancy and optimism. It describes something "unprecedented in its wonderful character." The promise that this new thing would "spring up" meant it would happen gradually, like the germination and growth of a beautiful wildflower. It's total fulfillment would require patience, but its eventualitiy was sure. As the rest of the book of Isaiah would foretell, that fulfillment would be finally realized in the victory of Jesus.

Selah people' and friends to be able to look forward with joy, the Israelites needed to let go of the past. The same is true for people today. Learning from the past is useful. Dwelling on the past is destructive. It keeps your focus on things you can no longer change and off what God is doing right before your eyes. Follow Isaiah's advice to the Israelites. Forget what's behind you. Move freely forward toward the good that is sprouting right beneathe your feet.

"Letting go of past mistakes - yours and those of others - may involve forgiveness, repetance, and reconciliation. Let Isaiah's words encourage you as you work through emotional or relational roadblocks."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog:

Thursday, April 1, 2010

The Real Reason For Easter ~ Video Revelation Son

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=eb799088ad2c7bbbaff6

What is Easter really about? What does it mean to you and to me?

My prayer as we move closer and closer to Easter Sunday is that we don't forget the sacrifice that was made before our Lord and Savior arose!

In Christ Service,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

Listen to our music special and sermon message each week via our Selah media website:

Share a daily scripture and devotion at our church blog: