September 30, 2010 ~ Trust Him with Your Dreams...

Where do you put your trust?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives”

John 12:24

TODAY’S WORD:

Selah people' and friends yesterday we shared about "God-Given" dreams and though it’s good to be passionate about your dreams did you know a dream can actually become an idol? If it’s all you think about, and you’re not going to be happy unless it happens "your way", that’s out of balance. I prayed about this as I was riding home last night from Rex Hospital in Raleigh. I reflected on many dreams in my own life, those my wife Jennifer and I share and those I have as the pastor of Selah Church. The fact is, sometimes you have to release that dream back to the Father.

Sometimes we can get frustrated because we are trying to force things to happen on our timetable. Sometimes we hold on to things so tightly, but when we finally are willing to let them go, that’s when God can bring them to pass. If you’ll choose to release that frustration and not let it become the center of your attention, but instead, use that same time and energy to thank God that He’s directing your steps, you open the door for God to give you the desires of your heart.

We have to remember, God already knows what we want and what we need. He’s the One who put those desires in us. We shouldn’t be consumed by trying to make things happen. Instead, a greater act of faith is to be happy right where you are; to stay open and trust God because He has good plans in store for your future!

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"Father God, today I release my dreams, my desires, my “wants” like a seed falling to the ground. I know that You have a good plan for my future, and I trust You to bring it to pass in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com

September 29, 2010 ~ God-given Dreams

Where is God directing you today?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure”


Proverbs 16:9

TODAY’S WORD:

Oftentimes as children, we have dreams for the future, dreams of being ball players and actresses, super heroes and firemen. But most of the time, they end up just being wishful thinking. As we get older, we grow out of them. It’s good to play and have dreams as children, but when we grow up, we have to know the difference between a God-given dream and a wish. I remember when I was a little boy growing up in Texas, I dreamed of playing Quarterback and leading the Dallas Cowboys to a Super Bowl Championship. That was definitely a fantasy! Troy Aikman ended up with the job and was blessed with three Super Bowl Rings.

Selah people' and friends I challenge you to join me today to look beyond our wishes as we all have dreams placed inside of us by the Creator of the universe. In fact, the Latin word for “desire” means “from the Father.” One way to tell if a dream is really from God is that the desire won’t go away. You may have had it for years, but you still can’t let it go. In fact, you may have tried to let it go, but it won’t let go of you.

Today, I encourage you to search your heart and allow those God-given dreams to surface. He placed those desires inside of you for a purpose, and He’s going to use them to direct you into the destiny He has in store for you!

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"Father in heaven, thank You for the dreams and desires You’ve placed within me. I submit those dreams to You and ask that You direct my steps. Search my heart and make my thoughts agreeable to Your Word and to Your plan for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com

The Power of Kindness...

Are we Christians who are kind all the time
and to everyone or just when we feel like it?

Today, I'd like to share a personal story from a short inspiration book "The Power of Kindness". I received this from one of my favorite suppliers of inspiration Mac Anderson with with simpletruths.com this morning...Enjoy!

The Power of Kindness ~

It was a COLD, WINDY DAY in Chicago. The time...6:00am. The place...O'Hare Airport. The mood...tired!

I was going through airport security with 300 of my "closest friends." As I successfully walked through the scanner, I glanced to my right and one of the security guards was going through the bag of a young Arab man. For an instant, I remember thinking...I am glad they're checking that bag. I then put on my shoes, gathered my belongings and headed down concourse B in the United terminal.

I had walked about a 100 yards when I heard someone running behind me and yelling, "Sir, Sir." I turned around to see the young Arab man with a smile on his face, as he handed me my laptop computer that I had left in the bin at security. He then said, "I thought you might need this!"

I thanked him over and over, but he said, "No problem, you would have probably done the same for me."

For as long as I live, I'll never forget that moment. We live in a complicated world where it can be easy to be afraid, and easy to be prejudiced. However, I truly feel that 99% of the people in the world, regardless of their skin color or religion, want to do the right thing, and want to be kind when given the opportunity. Therefore, we must always guard against allowing the 1% to sway our thinking. You may not know this, but almost every religion, and every culture in the world, has one thing in common...they teach kindness as a virtue. They teach "their version" of the golden rule...not the exact words, but the same meaning.

The wonderful lesson that I "re-learned" that morning at the airport was this...labeling can be disabling. It was a lesson taught to me by an unexpected act of kindness...one I'll never forget!

The great English writer, Aldous Huxley, was a pioneer in the study of philosophies and techniques to develop human potential. In a lecture toward the end of his life, he said this:

"People often ask me...what is the most effective technique for transforming their lives?"

He then said, "It's a little embarrassing that after years and years of research, my best answer is just be a little kinder."

This is the paradox of the power of kindness. It doesn't feel powerful at all. In fact, it almost feels too simple to be important. But as Huxley said, it is the #1 thing that can transform your life.

How can that be? Because simply put, kindness is the foundation of a good heart and with a good heart...a good life will follow.

Selah people' and friends I ask you today to use this simple thought to inspire you to be more like Jesus and thus to be kind. May this power of kindness spread like wildfire unto all we come in contact with and may we slowly squash our bitterness and the prejudice that we all hold on to in some form or another. Be kind and be blessed!

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com

September 28th, 2010 ~ Giving Birth to Your Dreams

Grab hold of your dream and don't let go!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world”

John 16:21

TODAY’S WORD:

Years ago when we first found out that Jennifer was pregnant, we were so excited. Even though she didn’t look any different on the outside, we began planning and preparing for our new baby. Then as time went on, we moved out of the fun, easy stage of conception and into that much more difficult stage of development. That’s when the mother becomes uncomfortable, swollen, can’t sleep at night, her back aches and Jennifer was exhausted and believe it or not so was I. Things seem to get the hardest right before the birthing begins.

In a sense, it’s the same way in our spiritual lives. When we conceive something in our hearts from God, it’s so exciting. It’s easy to stay encouraged and full of faith during that time. But the real test is when we go through the development process. Are we willing to keep a good attitude even when we’re uncomfortable and things aren’t going our way?

Are we willing to stand and fight the good fight of faith until we give birth to our dreams?

Selah' people and friends if you’re standing for something today, keep standing. Keep believing even when you don’t see anything happening. Hold on to that promise even when it’s uncomfortable because soon you will give birth to every dream and desire the Lord has placed in your heart!

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"Father in heaven, thank You for the dreams and desires You’ve planted in my heart. Give me the strength to persevere even when times are hard. Give me Your peace and joy so that I can stand strong until I see those dreams and desires come to pass. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com

September 27, 2010 ~ Stir Up Your Dreams

Do you have your eyes lifted up on what God has planned?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you...”

2 Timothy 1:6

TODAY’S WORD:

Selah people' and friends I thought about our sermon yesterday on "If Hell Was a Real Place?" It made me think of how many of us have dreams of how great our lives will be and then those dreams fade and turn sour. Do you need some freshness in your life today? You may simply need to stir up what God has placed on the inside of you. Stir up those gifts, stir up those dreams, stir up those talents inside. Start stretching yourself. You were created to be a dreamer and to pursue the desires God has placed in your heart.

The Scripture tells us that without vision, people perish. If you don’t have a dream or vision for your life, you’re not really going to reach your fullest potential. Maybe at one time you had a dream, but you went through some disappointments or setbacks. Things didn’t turn out the way you planned. But here’s a key: when one dream dies, dream another dream. Just because it didn’t work out the way you had it planned doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have another plan. You cannot allow one disappointment or even a series of disappointments to convince you that your dream is over.

It’s time to dig your heals in and hold on to the promises in your heart. Stir up those God-given dreams today and watch Him pour out His favor and blessing upon you and fulfill every desire in your heart!

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"Father in heaven, I come humbly to You. I give You my past, my disappointments, my brokenness. Fill me with Your hope and expectation and give me the dreams and desires that You have in store for my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com

September 26, 2010 ~ Live like you were dying...

Today's Scripture:

"It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. And it was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, confidently spoke of God's bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was so sure of it that he commanded them to carry his bones with them when they left!"

Hebrews 11:21-22

Today's Word:

"The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

~Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch was 47 years old when he died from pancreatic cancer. He was, as the Independent of London put it, "the dying man who taught America how to live". His book, The Last Lecture, is an international best-seller and it offers many wonderful lessons about life.

Randy Pausch's "last lecture" was delivered in September 2007, at Carnegie Mellon University, where he taught computer science. The lecture began with him standing before a screen beaming down chilling CT images of tumors in his liver, under the title...The Elephant in the Room. He then said to a stunned audience, "I have about 6 months to live." He said, "I'm really in good shape, probably better shape than most of you," ... dropping to the floor to do push-ups.

He went on to say, "I'm dying and I'm having fun, and I'm going to keep having fun every day I have left." He talked about his childhood dreams and what they had taught him about life. He said, "If you live your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself...your dreams will come to you."

Randy Pausch really was a dying man who has taught America how to live.

He died on July 25, 2008, but his wisdom, his passion, and his attitude are lasting sources of inspiration for all of us.

Selah people' and friends I love stories that can engage our hearts and our souls! I ask each of you today "are you living to die or are you dying to live?" Only you know that answer and only you can do something about it.

Our Prayer For Today:

"Gracious Lord you give each of us a gift each and every day that we wake up and have breath and life and the ability to enjoy this temporary life. We ask you today to help us put aside the pains and trials that are before us and instead focus and enjoy the blessings and beauty of all that is around us and those that we love. May we live a life truly worth living. Amen".

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com

September 25, 2010 ~ God-Ordained Moments

God has great plans for you...are you listening?

Today's Scripture:

"For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the Lord”, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”

Jeremiah 29:11

Today's Word:

God created every one of us to be successful. Before the foundation of the world, He laid out an exact plan for our life. And in this plan, He has marked moments that are going to come across our paths. These moments are not ordinary. They are destiny-altering moments. They are designed to thrust you years ahead. It says in Ecclesiastes that “time and chance come together for every person.”

That means you’ll have opportunities to meet the right people, opportunities to advance in your career, opportunities to fulfill your dreams. God has already pre-arranged times of increase and blessing. You may not be seeing a lot of good breaks right now, but let me encourage you; there are seasons of favor and seasons of increase marked for your future. There are God-ordained moments planned out for you. Don’t miss these moments! Don’t stop believing, and don’t get distracted by what’s going on in the world around you. Focus on removing the clutter from your life so that you can hear the still, small voice. Approach today with an attitude of faith and expectancy. As you do, you’ll embrace the God-ordained moments that are ordered for you!

Our Prayer for Today:

"Father God, thank You for ordering my steps. Thank You for making a way when there seems to be no way. I choose to step out today with faith and expectancy so that You can move in my life. I trust You with my destiny and thank You for fulfilling every desire of my heart today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

In Christ service,
Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://selahchurch.com

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

Recent revival sermon:
http://selahchurch.tripod.com