Others First

We are called to put others first...

Today's Scripture:

When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Paul was writing to the Christians in Philippi from a prison in Rome. Paul had started the church in Philippi on his second of three missionary journeys. He encouraged the Christians there to continue their good work. Paul told them to be interested in the lives of other people more than in there own lives. He encouraged them to think and act like Jesus. Jesus considered the needs of other people more important than his own needs. Even though he was God in human form, he served others.

Jesus could have been and done anything he wanted to. He could have been a political success and risen to the position of earthly king. The possibilities for wealth or personal fame were endless. Instead he chose to spend time with people who were lost, lonely, sick, and hopeless. He used his power to heal and save others. He did ordinary things like attending a wedding or eating a meal with friends. In one of his most humble moments, he washed dirty feet of his disciples so they might understand how important it was to serve others and remain humble.

Jesus never considered himself better than anyone else, even though he was.

His life was a phenomenal display of humility. Put others first by treating everyone the same. Take the initiative to put the best interest, of others first.

Selah people' and friends putting others first goes against your very nature. In fact, in your own strength, you can't even do it -not on a consistent basis. If you're going to obey this command, you're going to have to turn it over to the One who succeeded in putting others first for a whole lifetime. Today in our sermon I shared how singer Chris Thomlin pointed out that we are all Christ creations much like a guitar was created for the purpose of playing music on you and I were created for a special purpose. Choose today to seek what God has planned for you and to do what he has called you to do for others.

"Peace be with you as you seek to place others first. Grab someone and tell them just how much God loves them."

Be sure to stop by our website an see all the upcoming activities, photos or to listen to our sermons online or download: http://selahchurch.com/

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)

What Jesus Did...

Jesus sacrificed for us all...reach out your arms

and receive his love and joy!

Today's Scripture:

He was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds.

Isaiah 53:5

God often works in unexpected ways. What Isaiah was predicting didn't make sense from a human perspective. It sounded cruel and unjust. It did not seem possible that one person would take the punishment for what another person did wrong. There is no way injuring one person could heal another person. Isaiah's words finally made sense the day Jesus died on the cross nearly seven hundred years later.

Isaiah talked about a person who would come to lead and save people. In Isaiah's time, most leaders were strong individuals, physically, mentally, or both. The description in Isaiah 53:5 is of someone who was beaten and crushed - not the words you would typically associate with a leader, just the opposite, in fact. The key to understanding this verse is the realization that this leader would take the pain and suffering of others in order to spare them, in order to save them from having to endure it.

You are loved so much that God devised a plan that made it possible for Jesus to bear the pain and suffering that really belonged to you. Jesus took your place. His pain and his death made it possible for you to be healed. You are healed of hurt that comes from being separated from God. I thank God for this as we lost a great friend and leader in our community this week in Mr. Robert Grantham. As I am saddened by no longer being able to talk with him face-to-face I hold to the joy that because of our savior we will have that chance again in the future.

What Jesus did ensured that you and I will enjoy a permanent and unbreakable relationship with God and have the wonderful gift of everlasting life.

Selah people' and friends God is a leader who is willing to replace your pain with joy. He loves you so much that he made sure you could be with him forever.

"Peace and joy be ours thanks to our ultimate fighter and leader Jesus' and what he did for us all."

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)

You Know God...

Is your path different than others? Is it the narrow road or the wide?

Today's Scripture:

No one can see God, but Jesus Christ is exactly like him. He ranks higher than everything that has been made.

Colossians 1:15

Jesus knew from an early age that he was different. He had an understanding of God that no other person had. This unique understanding was the mind of God contained inside him. This almost incomprehensible idea stated another way is this: Jesus was fully human all at once.

Paul hoped to help people gain an understanding of this matchless human named Jesus. Colossians 1 contains several verses of bite-size information to help people digest the concept of Jesus as fully God and fully human. The concept may take you a lifetime to grasp, and that is okay. Many adults still struggle with such a mind-boggling concept. Just remember that there is only one God.

Jesus was the living, breathing reality of God on earth.

For you, this means two significant things. One, you can know God by knowing Jesus. Although much of who God is remains beyond human comprehension, the Bible gives you knowledge of God as you read about the life of Jesus. Two, Jesus experienced life as a human being. He was a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult. Jesus was hungry, frustrated, happy, and sad. He experienced the loss of family and friends. Although he never gave in, Jesus was tempted by Satan, so he understands what it is like when you are tempted. He endured physical pain. Jesus knows what it is like to be human, which means he knows what it's like to be you.

Selah people' and friends God not only created humanity, but he experienced it first hand. God knows what you are going through; allow him to be God in your life today. Choose his path and it will lead you to his kingdom.

"Peace be with you and I as we travel the road of life and really get to know God who already knows us."

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick) Via mobile Goldsboro, NC...

God Is on Our Team...

Today's Scripture:


When I was helpless, he saved me.


Psalm 116:6



As youngsters, we neighborhood kids would play street football...I remember Donald, Anthony, Frank, Ronnie, Edwin the crew of guys and yes thinking back a girl (Nicole Wagner comes to mind) or two that played hard. The minute we got home from school we'd pile off the bus, drop the books and hit the pavement.

My friend Ant who lived in the trailer right across the street had an older brother who played on the high school team and had a great arm; he too had a passion for football. As soon as he pulled in the driveway with his car we'd start yelling for him to come and play ball. He like myself couldn't resist. Out of fairness he'd always ask, "Which team is losing?" Then he would join that team, which often would be mine. I loved making those acrobatic catches that just made people ask how'd he do that. His appearance in our huddle changed how we played, it changed the whole ball game. He was confident, strong, and most of all, he had a plan. I know he influenced my field generalship as I grew and made that transition to being the older kid with more than just a good arm, but a plan.

We'd circle around Tim, and he'd look at us and say, "Ok boys, here is what we are going to do." The other side was groaning before we left the huddle. You see, we not only had a new plan, we had a new leader.


Selah people' and friends Ant's older brother Tim brought new life to our team and hope to some defeated warriors. God does precisely the same. We didn't need a new play; we needed a new plan. We didn't need to trade positions; we needed a new player. That player is Jesus Christ, God's first born son.

Please stop by our church website to view photos, listen to audio sermons or check out our calender of upcoming ministry opportunities... http://selahhchurch.com/

"Peace be with you as you allow God to call the plays in your life.

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)

Don't Worry, Pray

Today's Scripture:

Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.

Philippians 4:6

Time spent worrying is a waste. An hour spent worrying whether so-and-so really likes you. Twenty minutes spent worrying whether you studied hard enough for your history test.

God already knows your needs and your desires; in fact, he knows them better than you do. If you know and trust God, you will turn all your worries over to him. Your confidence in God will result in thankfulness for his abilities.

Your worries will be replaced by peace as you thank God for taking care of you. Pray, do what you can, give God your worries, and rest in the assurance that God can help you solve any problem you have, from dating and friendships to schoolwork. Resting in God's abilities is much better than stressing about things.

Knowing that God can handle anything, you will be able to thank him when things are good and when things are bad. Since he is always looking out for your best interests,

you can be certain that God will show you the joy in the midst of the most difficult situation.

Paul described it this way: God's peace, which is so unprecedented that it defies human understanding, will keep your heart and mind bound to Jesus. When you pray, you focus your heart and your mind on the endless capacity of God rather than on the strain of your circumstance. Your fears and concerns are replaced by the might of God who hears your prayers.

Selah people' and friends you have a God who cares about every single thought, concern, and moment of your life. Turn your worries over to God rather than lugging them around yourself.

"Peace be with you today as you choose not to worry, but instead to pray giving the burden over to God to make a way for you."

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick) Via mobile ~

Run Away...

Some times running is the thing to do!

Today's Scripture:

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the lord with pure hearts.

2 Timothy 2:22

You will eventually face a situation where your best option is to walk away. For example, if you are on a date and the physical contact increases toward a point where you know you are about to compromise the boundaries you feel God has shown you, stop. According to Paul, your best option is to stop and move the date to place where there is no privacy.

Choose to do things that will help you uphold your commitment to God instead of challenging it. A date with a group of friends to meet for soft drinks might be a better choice than a date for just two people alone. Paul pointed out that having friends who love God and who are dedicated to his ways is key to keeping one's commitment to God. By hanging out with Christian friends, you are more likely to do things that support your standards.

By putting yourself in situations you know God approves of, with friends who love God, you will find that you enjoy life without stressing over stuff that tempts you. In addition, you set yourself up to be used by God in a positive way to influence the lives of others. I know when the idea of a blog came up that is what drew me closer to the idea, knowing that is some small way God may use my little devotion time to influence or encourage someone and here is like my 107th blog entry and counting. Paul wanted Timothy to live right so that he would always be ready to share God's love.

As you live out your commitment to God, people around you will be attracted to the goodness in your life you and your friends enjoy comes from God.

Selah people' and friends, brothers and sisters I share with you today that when temptation comes your way (and you know it will), go a different direction. Choose a direction that will lead to good friends who are dedicated to helping you keep your commitment to God.

"Peace be with you as you run to live out your commitment to God and continue to be attracted to those things that are good in your life."

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)

Each One Has a Part...

Each part is important to God. It takes all parts together to make the body of Christ!

Today's Scripture:

A person's body is only one thing, but it has many parts. Though there are many parts to a body, all those parts make only one body. Christ is like that also.

1 Corinthians 12:12

No doubt some of you have seen reruns of the old Addams Family television show...they even have an M&M candy commercial using this family as characters. You'll remember Thing, the disembodied hand that rises up out of its box to write down a message or beckon a visitor into the parlor. Thing is funny, but also creepy in a cheesy, sixty's, black-and-white sort of way, because everybody knows a hand can't live on its own. Without a body to be attached to, a hand quickly dies. There's no part of human body, in fact, that's self-sufficient. As important as the heart is, it can't survive without the kidneys or espohagus. It works the other way around, too. Even those parts of the body that seem unimportant or less than respectable play a vital role in the functioning of the whole system. Nobody would want to be a lower intestine, but you'd be in a world of hurt without it. Even one missing toes means serious balance problems for the whole body.

The church is the body of Christ, and every part of it is important. You may feel like nobody. You may think you've got nothing to contribute to the life of the church. But you have a role to play, even if you're not sure what it is. And by the same token, nobody is so important that he or she can survive spiritually apart from the body.

You need the body of Christ. And the body needs you.

Selah people' and friends you have a role to play in the church, even if you don't know exactly what it is. Don't be discouraged. And don't even think about going it alone if you're serious about your spiritual health.

"Peace be with you and all the rest of the members of the body of Christ."

Your pastor,

Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)