January 9, 2013 ♡ BECAUSE OF LOVE

Today's Scripture:
1 John 5:1-5

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Today's Word:

Though fifteen-year-old Shannon Miller won a silver medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, she returned home disappointed-she had not won a single gold medal. Four years later, however, at the age of nineteen, Shannon captured two gold medals in Atlanta for her effort in the team gymnastics competition and for her performance on the balance beam.

A few days after her thrilling victory on the balance beam, she was asked by a television reporter how hard it had been to keep practicing and working in the years between the Olympics.

Shannon shrugged in response to the question and answered that she loved gymnastics. Because she loved it so much, she hadn't minded the toil of training for the Olympics. The work that might have seemed hard and unpleasant to someone else was not so hard for Shannon because of her love for the sport.

Selah people' and friends...It's kind of the same with obeying God's commands. People who don't know God or his Son, Jesus, often look at the commands he has given to his people and think, Thou shalt not this! and Thou shalt not that! They may say, "There are too many 'thou shalt nots'! I don't see how you Christians can stand all the rules and stuff you have to obey. That's too hard for me." Or they may say, "I could never keep all those commands."

But such thoughts and statements show that they don't really understand how the Christian life works. Like Shannon Miller, who trained hard because of her love for gymnastics, Christians obey God's commands because of their love for God. God's commands are not burdensome to his children. Obeying him isn't torture. It's not even difficult for those who rely on the Holy Spirit's power because the Spirit does all the work-we just have to trust him moment by moment.

REFLECT: Compare the ways the following translations phrase 1 John 5:3:

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandÂments are not grievous (KJV).

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (NIV).

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn't difficult (NLT).

How does your love for God make you more willing to obey him? How does your love for God make you more able to obey him?

Our Prayer for Today:
"Loving God, help me to show my love for you today."

December 6, 2012 ~ A New Thing...

Today's Scripture:

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun.
Isaiah 43:19

Today's Word:
Can you see the “brand new thing” God is doing in your life? Sometimes it’s easy to see the hand of God moving, and sometimes the storms of life can cloud our vision. But no matter where you are in life today, meditate on this truth that God is working even when you can’t see Him.
Like a seed buried deep in the ground, it may seem dark and lonely and there may be dirt all around, but that is a place where life springs forth. Trust that God is doing a new thing! You can trust Him because He is faithful!
His plan my friend for you today is blessing. His plan is to give you a future and a hope. His plan is to do a new thing in your life. Let go of the thoughts of the past and open your heart to what God is doing today.
Selah people' and friends ask Him to show you what He’s doing. Ask Him to reveal it to your heart. Seek Him and you will find Him and see the brand new think He’s doing in you!

Our Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, thank You for doing a work in me, even when I don’t see it. Thank You for the brand new thing You have. I open my heart and put my faith and trust in You in Jesus’ name!" Amen.

In Christ service,
Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor
Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

December 4, 2012 ~ Amazing Grace?

Today's Scripture:

"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Ephesians 2:8

Today's Word:

Grace is that beautiful word which describes man's unearned favor from God. A good example of grace was witnessed one day: a dog riding in brand new Mercedes. Lots of dogs ride in cars or in my neighborhood near our farm trucks, but this one conjured up a somewhat theological picture in my mind.

Not every dog has the high honor of being transported in such a fancy car. But there he was, prancing back and forth on the plush leather seat, real proud-like, and taking in the scenery. You would've thought he owned the car. He didn't look like some common mutt but was of highbrow stock. Still he was just a dog. His circumstances were sure a cut above the average canine's, but through no doings of his own.

You see without the owner-driver, ol' dog would've been hard put. He was ridin' high because his friend bought him, cared for him, gave him the run of his nice new car, and had even opened the door for him. Mr. Dog was indebited to his master for it all. And it didn't cost him a thing.

Selah people' and friends, God's grace toward us is like that. We ride in the chariot of His love, not because we deserve to, but because He makes it possible. We may think we are right high and mighty, but sinner is our pedigree. Jesus paid for us with His own blood, loves and cares for us, opens the door of salvation for us and rides with us to the Eternal City. Because of Him we are where we are, and it doesn't cost us a thing. That's the way of grace you and I can thank our good master for.

Our Prayer:
Loving Father you are the master and provider for all that we have. We recognize the joy found in our loyalty to You. Be with each of us as we strive to be obedient. In Jesus name we pray

In Christ love,
Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor
Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC

June 27, 2012 ~ Correcting Our Faults!

Today's Scripture:
"To every man...not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think."
Romans 12:3

Today's Word:
As I sit here watching my daughter cheer it made me think about us seeing ourselves as others see us. One of my first early services as pastor where we had breakfast at Selah I had dressed and polished up my shoes. My trousers being light tan and the first time I had worn that suit, I had rolled up the legs to protect them from the shoe polish.  Happily,  I arrived at the church and greeted some of the men who were hard at preparing that breakfast. Finally one gentle-hearted brother (can't remember if it were Ed or Billy Carter) said to me, "You can roll them down now preacher."
Friends, I looked down and sure enough my pant legs were rolled up high enough I could have waded through a six-inch-deep puddle. And let me tell you there wasn't a raindrop falling. There I was decked out in my finest new Easter suit, shirt starched, tie tacked, pocket silk just right, shoes shined, but totally unaware of what I really looked like. I guess that explained all the men's large grins on there faces. Sheepishly,  I had no choice but to grin too.
A drop of truth can be distilled from that experience.  So often we suppose we are presenting a finer picture of ourselves to others than we actually are. And yes they see things about us that we haven't seen. Sometimes they are just too polite to tell us the truth. But there we stand, proud as peacocks, not knowing that some character defect glaringly spoils the picture.
The Bible will mirror us if we let it. For example our Scripture Romans 12:3 reminds us not to think more highly of himself than he ought. Again,  the Word reminds "Let a man examine himself" (1 Corinthians 11:28). But ol' self stands tall and flinches when he is probed. We would rather put the evil eye on the other fella or madam. We think it makes us look better.
Selah people and friends I remind us to give thanks to those loving souls who care enough about us to keep us from looking like idiots to others. They must have read these good words: "If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou be tempted." (Galatians 6:1) Remember that a bent back is required to unroll pant legs. And bowed heart is required to set life in order.

Our Prayer For Today:
We come to you Lord just as we are each day. You are the only one who can truly forgive our sins. We thank you for sending brothers and sisters as well as your son Jesus. Allow us to correct our faults and model ourselves in His image. In Jesus name we pray! Amen.
Your brother and friend in Christ,
Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston
Selah Christian Church

JUNE 25, 2012 ~ STEERED INTO THE TRUTH!

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do"

Hebrews 4:13

TODAY'S WORD:

Have you ever had your mind go in one direction and your body in another, only to end up in a rather peculiar position?  Let me tear another dumb page out of many dumb doings and let you read it.

Another hospital visit completed, I returned to my car in the parking lot and got in. To my astonishment, the steering wheel was missing. I remarked in my mind just me, "Somebody's stolen my steering wheel!" About that time mind and body reunited, and I realized I was sitting in the back seat!

Now when you do a stupid a thing if your like me don't you think everybody knows it? I looked around to see if anyone had seen me. No one being in sight, I slipped out of the back seat and into the front seat. Sure enough, the steering wheel was where it had always been. Boy, was I relieved!

Selah people and friends when we look at this scenario two thoughts result. First, sometimes the situation is not wrong: we are. Second, though man may not see what we do, God does. Perhaps God smiled that night at one of His not-to-bright tired younguns and one of His called pastors. I hope so; for I did, and have, many times since.

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord we thank you for steering us in the direction you have for us and using life's experience to show us the truth. Be with us as we begin a new week filled with new opportunities for us to learn and grow in Christ.

Your brother in Christ,

Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston -Pastor
Selah Christian Church

June 23, 2012 ~ Humbly Serve...

Today's Scripture:

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

1 Peter 4:10

Today's Word:

I have a couple secular degrees however I am not a highly-educated theologian, but that being said I am a student of God's word and have the love of Christ in my heart, and I use every spare moment I have to serve Him and serve others. God calls on us to serve others whenever possible so I have answered His call to volunteer and serve His church. My answering this call has allowed  me to get close to others by being there to visit the sick, donating clothes, food for the hungry I feel good knowing that I am serving a vital purpose in my church at Selah Christian Church and our Graham Community.

For me it has led me to pastor the last 10 years at a God loving community church. My first 10 years however was carried out just doing the simple task of being there for my neighbors. When we love and serve our neighbors, we show our devotion to God. Good deeds may or may not require much time. It may be a visit at the hospital, retirement home or hospice. A card, call, email or text can encourage someone.  Being there for your fellow servants to support them if they are doing things in the community or at church come out and show them you care what they are doing. Young and old know how much you care by your presence. 

Selah people and friends, In a short time, we can be good and faithful servants. A seemingly small act may stay in the heart and mind of another person for years to come. Even more important,  when we extend a hand to someone who needs help, we do the work God calls us to do.

Our Prayer For Today:
Lord, thank you for the blessings you have given each of us. Help us to open our hearts and minds turn to our neighbors,  passing along the blessings you have given us. We give glory to you, Lord Jesus, and pray as you taught us, "Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. In Jesus' name.

Your brother in Christ,
Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston - Pastor
Selah Christian Church - Four Oaks, NC

June 8, 2012 ~ In the Day of Trouble...

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble"

 Psalm 46:1

 TODAY'S WORD:

God is always present with you. That means at all times, continually, perpetually, throughout all time, God is with you. In your day of trouble, He is a help to you. How is He your help? By providing whatever you need; by opening doors for you; by orchestrating things in your favor. That's because "help" is specific to your need. We serve a God who is very specific, and because He is always with you, He always knows exactly what you need!

 

Selah people and friends today, are you facing trouble or adversity? Know that God is with you. Look to Him for help. Trust that He has the answer, and that He is working things out in your favor. As you continue to believe Him, His word and follow His direction, He will lead you in the way that you should go. He will comfort you, revive you, restore you and bless you! He will be your ever-present help because He is forever faithful to His Word!

 

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for being my ever-present help. I trust today that You are with me, that You are comforting me and restoring my soul. I lift my eyes to You this day. Help me to follow Your commands and honor You as You direct my steps. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

Your brother in Christ,

Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston - Pastor 
Selah Christian Church - Four Oaks, NC
Church:  919-689-3782
Email:    patrickmuston@msn.com
Web:     http://selahchurch.com