October 2, 2009 ~ "NO FISHING"

With God we can live free from guilt with no need to reel in our past mistakes...

Today's Scripture:

He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west.

Psalm 103:12

If you're like the rest of humanity, at some time or another, you've probably done something wrong. One of the worst things about committing a sin is that humans have memories. Long after a woman or man asked God and others to forgive them for what they have done wrong, the memories linger. Your memory plays them over and over again, pounding out our joy and confidence. This is much like I remember back on Friday nights in high school or Saturdays in college while playing quarterback if you ever made an errant pass throwing an interception or coughed up a fumble you just had the lingering feeling that it was going to happen again. If you could not let it go and refocus then it surely would happen again and again. While God does want a person to ask for forgiveness when they have sinned and to decide to do right, he never intended for anyone who loves him to carry the shame and guilt of sins and mistakes forever. In fact, Psalm 103:12 says that when a person has asked God to forgive them for their wrongdoings, he doesn't leave those sins heaped in a pile around the person. Instead, he takes those sins out of their presence; he takes them as far away from us as he can - as far as east is from west, which basically means eternally.

I once shared a story in a sermon message on Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust concentration camp survivor, who used to say that when a person has asked forgiveness for sins, God throws those sins into the deepest sea, where they are irretrievable. Then, according to Corrie, he puts up a sign that reads "NO FISHING."

God has no interest in dredging up your sins that he has already forgiven.

He has no interest in making you pay for your sins over and over. After all, that's the reason why Jesus Christ lived and was crucified ~ so you can be released from every wrong word, thought, and action you've ever hosted.

Selah people' and friends if memories of past sins and errors are dogging you, make your own little "NO FISHING" sign to remind you of what God has done. And enjoy living in freedom from guilt. (Link provided below to your own sign...if you want to print one out for your home, office or locker http://www.proshieldsafetysigns.co.uk/signs/3615_signs.jpg)

"May today be the day we stop fishing for past mistakes and instead reel in the reassurance that God loves us, forgives us and wants us to move forward and closer to him."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston ~ Via Mobile: Mount Olive, NC

October 1, 2009 ~ Conquerors Extraordinaire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkdaqwmzi0

In Christ be it victory or defeat we can grow

as we depend more on His strength not our own!

Today's Scripture:

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels or principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 37-39

Consider what people dread most in life. The list could include things like war, betrayal, famine, abandonment, poverty, pain, sickness and death. In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul presented a similar list. However, what Paul addressed as the most serious of all concerns is that facing tumultuous times could build a wall between God and those who believed in him. Turmoil could cut people off from God's love.

Jesus' followers in Rome were facing difficult times firsthand. Paul offered them comfort, encouragement, and hope by following his list of worst-case scenarios with the best news he could deliver. No hardship in life could prevent God's love from reaching them and leading them to victory. When Paul wrote "I am persuaded," he meant "I'm absolutely convinced. You can stake your faith and your life on this fact."

The assurance of victory God promises through the words of Paul doesn't mean you'll get every job you apply for, always end your financial year in the black, or never contract or go through a tragic and painful disease.

God's promise of victory is specific to the role he's given you to fill in this life.

When you're faced with hard times, it won't be your intelligence, your talents, or your perseverance that will eventually ensure your victory. It will be God's love, working through you to keep you close to God's side and to help you rise above whatever has you down.

Selah people' and friends remember that facing hard times can lead you to become more than victorious because hard times make you depend more on God and on his strength than your own.

"May we join together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether in victory or defeat and in giving all that we are and all that we have to the one who made us!"

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston ~ Via mobile: Mount Olive, NC

September 30, 2009 ~ A Look in the Mirror

If you find yourself putting others down,

look in the mirror and find understanding!

Today's Scripture:

Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.

Romans 2:1

Elizabeth prided herself on all the things she did right. She performed her job well, and received regular promotions and accolades for the work she did. She went to church every Sunday. She kept her apartment neat and tidy, everything in its place. She never let men try to take advantage of her, and she had an honest desire to remain pure until she got married.

Laurie, on the other hand, made every mistake possible. She was easygoing, freewheeling, and never saw a drink she wouldn't slurp down. Every time Elizabeth saw Laurie hanging out in the lunch room and gossiping, she prayed that the woman would be caught by the boss and reprimanded.

Then Elizabeth read and heard the message of Romans 2:1 about judging others. Elizabeth realized that she'd become like the Pharisees in the Bible. The Pharisees were people who were so religious that they were proud of their faith.

The Pharisees were so religious that God's commands weren't enough for them, and they added a bunch of their own rules that they thought religious people should follow.

Because they followed these rules, they thought they were better than anyone else. The Pharisees didn't really love God; they tolerated him.

Elizabeth bowed her head in prayer and confessed her poor attitude to God. Immediately a new sense of freedom flooded her heart, and she realized Laurie was just another worker who had her own problems and difficulties.

Selah people' and friends it's hard not to judge. When you find yourself putting others down, take a look into your own life. Then act with mercy and understanding.

"Look in the mirror before you leap to put down another. We all fall short of God's glory and must work at being there to pick each other up and not waiting to pounce and knock our brothers and sisters down."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston ~ Via mobile: Wayne Memorial Hospital ~ Goldsboro, NC

September 29, 2009 ~ Changes in Your Life and in Your Heart

Like them or not we should give our leaders respect...

Today's Scripture:

Slaves, obey your masters here on earth with fear and respect and from sincere heart, just as you obey Christ.

Ephesians 6:5

"I think my life is about to change, and actually, I'm excited about it." Jody didn't start out pleased. For several years, she watched her coworker simper, slink, and practically seduce their boss. She watched her boss start favoring her coworker over other employees. With an office restructure ahead, Jody saw signs that her colleague would soon be her boss. "I think I'll take this as an opportunity to join another company," Jody said.

Most women have had to deal with a difficult boss or leader at some point. Unfortunately, not all women are like Jody and can quit or have another opportunity when this happens. When Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, some of the Ephesians faced a situation far worse than having a difficult boss. They were actually owned by another human - they were slaves. In their dire situation, they were encouraged to show respect nevertheless. They were to remember that with everything they said or did, they should keep serving as if they were serving Jesus himself.

Women in any employed situation can draw heart from this story.

If you have a challenging boss, give him or her the respect the position deserves.

If you aren't really excited about one of your leaders at church or school or in another situation, keep serving as if you were serving God. Most women find that when they have this attitude, the leader notices - and often becomes more malleable. Even when the leader stays the same, the woman herself may change and become a better person all around.

Selah people' and friends pray for your leaders. Be an example to them and reflect God's love in everything you do. Ask God to help you in this quest.

"Times can seem so hard and following the leader can seem impossible, but with God all things are possible and in His time this situation will pass and you and I will be better and stronger for it."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston ~ Via mobile: Frema Motors...again Goldsboro, NC

September 28, 2009 ~ The Power Booster

Just as the sun rises so does God's power rise up when you need it...

Today's scripture:

Be strong in the Lord and in his great power.

Ephesians 6:10

In 1980 Midway Games manufactured an arcade game that people my age will remember called Pac-Man. It was an instant smash, and by 1982, Midway had turned out 300,000 Pac-Man games. The concept was simple - a little yellow ball with mouth called Pac-Man ran around the board eating dots and avoiding monsters. The only time the monsters couldn't kill Pac-Man was when Pac-Man ate one of the four power pills, or energizers, on the board. When Pac-Man ate one of those, he was invincible and could eat the monsters. What a rush to try to get to one of the power pills before the monsters could get your frantic Pac-Man. Getting to the power pills at the right time was key and if successful you could put a hurting and take out all the monsters just when you were at the brink of death. Timing was everything.

Not to trivialize Scripture or the human experience, but in a base sense, people are kind of like that little Pac-Man. You might be zooming around your world just taking care of all the dots of life you need to take care of. Then all of a sudden, you face a situation in which you're completely at the mercy of something barreling down on you. Like Pac-Man, you are incapable of dealing with the situation in your own power.

You may want not have the power pill to crunch on and make you invincible, but you have something much better. You have God's power waiting at your disposal. All you have to do is to call upon him, to lean on him, to depend on His abilities. As we shared in our sermon yesterday at Selah we all need to face Him when we are on the mountaintop or when we are in the valley of despair. Then you'll be stronger than the most powerful adversaries you may encounter having powered up with God's power.

Selah people' and friends the next time you need a power boost, turn to God. He'll build strength into your life that you never imagined you could possess.

"Join me today in allowing God to rise up and give you the power to tackle the monsters of your life."

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston ~ Via mobile: Frema Motors VW- Goldsboro, NC

September 27, 2009 ~ The Friend Who Is Always Beside You

Sometimes His gentle touch is subtle & we do not realize He is there...

Today's Scripture:

Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18

Many people who read the Bible stumble when they come across the command to be filled with the Spirit. Actually, being filled with the Spirit is a relatively simple concept, and it's one of the most exciting promises in the Bible. Filled means "to be led, controlled empowered" by the Spirit of God. Becoming filled with the Spirit is not difficult - you don't have to go through any long processes. You become filled with the Spirit in your life simply by turning over your motivations and concerns to God. Through the Spirit who lives in you - a bit of a mystical concept, but a reality to those who invite him to take charge of their lives - you find that God gives you resources day by day to live as he want you to.

At times, you may be sitting in a doctor's office, in church, or at school or a meeting, and the Spirit will speak to you. The Spirit's voice might direct you in many areas - often with small details. He might suggest, Make yourself a note to write a letter of encouragement to this person. Or he may draw your attention tot a certain person. Go chat with that one. She looks like she needs to talk to someone.

The filling of the Spirit is like having a friend right inside your mind and heart.

He can speak, lead, encourage, or empower you at any time. At times, you won't even be aware that he is there because his gentle touch is so subtle.

Selah people' and friends let the Spirit lead, guide, empower, and enfold you. Let Him take full rein in your life. If you do, you will see God work through you in awesome ways.

"Remember that He is there for you 24/7/365 and you are never alone!"

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

September 26, 2009 ~ Peace That Goes Soul-Deep

Do you have peace...have you taken it all to God?

Today's Scripture:

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6-7

Peace. What a lovely word. Perhaps every woman envisions a different setting when she think about peace. One might think of a long, hot bubble bath. Another might think of a garden filled with fragrant flowers. Someone else might think of an afternoon with no children around. Whatever the vision, most women welcome moments of calmness and rest in their lives.

Peace goes deeper than external settings, through. Peace is an issue that goes all the way to the heart and soul - the inner core of your life. Here's the scoop on how to find total peace: take every concern and worry in your life to God in prayer. God is not just willing to listen to your cares, but he also urges you to talk to him about whatever is on your mind and heart.

When you talk to God about everything, something amazing happens.

Suddenly, you are filled with a peace that you didn't have before. You may not be able to understand why you feel so at rest. Sometimes this peace defies explanation because every logical bone in your body may tell you that you need to be concerned about an issue; but this calmness fills your soul, and instinctively you know God is in control. That is true peace.

Selah people' and friends God is in control. That is true peace.

God invites you to tell him everything that is on your mind. He will give you peace when you do.

"Join me today in allowing God to go deeper in our soul to help us find Peace."

Link provided below to our media site with this week's online audio sermon shared at Selah Christian Church September 20, 2009...

also opens with our Choir special: "Pass Me Not".

http://selahmedia.tripod.com/

Your pastor,

Rev Patrick Muston

Selah Christian Church ~ Four Oaks, NC