The Journey...

How is your ATTITUDE?

An excerpt from: Attitude is Everything by Vicki Hitzges

I used to worry. A lot. The more I fretted, the more proficient I became at it. Anxiety begets anxiety. I even worried that I worried too much! Ulcers might develop. My health could fail. My finances could deplete to pay the hospital bills.

A comedian once said, "I tried to drown my worries with gin, but my worries are equipped with flotation devices." While not a drinker, I certainly could identify! My worries could swim, jump and pole vault!

To get some perspective, I visited a well known, Dallas businessman, Fred Smith. Fred mentored such luminaries as motivational whiz Zig Ziglar, business guru Ken Blanchard and leadership expert John Maxwell. Fred listened as I poured out my concerns and then said, "Vicki, you need to learn to wait to worry."As the words sank in, I asked Fred if he ever spent time fretting. (I was quite certain he wouldn't admit it if he did. He was pretty full of testosterone—even at age 90.)

To my surprise, he confessed that in years gone by he had been a top-notch worrier!"I decided that I would wait to worry!" he explained. "I decided that I'd wait until I actually had a reason to worry—something that was happening, not just something that might happen—before I worried.""When I'm tempted to get alarmed," he confided, "I tell myself, 'Fred, you've got to wait to worry! Until you know differently, don't worry.' And I don't.

Waiting to worry helps me develop the habit of not worrying and that helps me not be tempted to worry."Fred possessed a quick mind and a gift for gab. As such, he became a captivating public speaker. "I frequently ask audiences what they were worried about this time last year. I get a lot of laughs," he said, "because most people can't remember. Then I ask if they have a current worry—you see nods from everybody.

Then I remind them that the average worrier is 92% inefficient—only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true."Charles Spurgeon said it best. "Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength."

Rev. Patrick Muston

"Come as you are...leave better."

Hold On to Your Peace My Friend !

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you"
(Luke 6:28, NIV).

TODAY’S WORD

I've learned that some people are peace stealers. They feel like it's their calling in life to aggravate you, try to make you look bad, and tell you what you can't do. They'll try to bait you into an argument to get you upset, annoyed and frustrated. But don't take the bait! Nothing is worth losing your peace over. They may think they're getting the best of you, but in the end, God can use that to take you higher. When people come against you, choose to keep your peace. Choose to forgive. Pray for that person because that's how you disarm the enemy against you.

Selah people' and friends scripture says your battle isn't against flesh and blood. In others words, that person isn't your enemy; the accuser—Satan—is your enemy. He's trying to bring division and get you upset. But when you choose to keep peace, when you keep walking in love and keep a smile on your face, you are overcoming his tactics. That's how you win. Join me today, choose peace, choose to walk in love, and choose the victory God has prepared for you!

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for giving me Your peace and strength today. I choose to hold my peace and bless those who come against me. I choose to walk in love and forgiveness so that I can honor You in all that I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Your brother in Christ,

Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church

http://www.selahchurch.com

What do you call "True Success"?

 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE“...Freely you have received; freely give”
(Matthew 10:8, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

There  are a lot of people who are successful in this world. They’ve accomplished their  goals in the public eye. But being successful isn’t just about what you make  happen for yourself, it’s about what you make happen for others. It’s when you  realize, “God has blessed me not to just sit on my throne and let everybody see  my accomplishments; God has blessed me to be a blessing to others. God has  helped me to win so I can help somebody else win.” In other words, it’s when you  realize, “God helped me overcome this addiction, now I’m going to go find  somebody and help them overcome.” Or, “God has blessed me with a happy family.  I’m going to go find a family that’s struggling and help them get back on  track.” That’s what being successful is  really all about.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY
 Selah people' and friends I challenge you today  look for ways to help others succeed. Reach back and give freely of the talents  and abilities you’ve been given. As you do, you’ll rise up higher and live in  the fullness of the blessing God has prepared for you!

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for giving me so much. Thank You for blessing me with talents and abilities and the desire to bless others. Show me ways to reach out and help others move forward and help them be successful so we can all rise higher together. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Your brother in Christ,
Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor
Selah Christian Church
Four Oaks, NC
http://www.selahchurch.com/

God Has the Final Say...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”Acts 20:24

TODAY’S WORD

God is a faithful God! You may be praying for things that haven’t happened yet, but just because things aren’t happening on your timetable doesn’t mean they aren’t going to happen. Don’t give up on that promise; God has the final say. Don’t let discouragement or negative thoughts talk you out of it. Get your fire back! Get your passion back. If God said it, He will do it. If God spoke it, He will bring it to pass.

Selah people and friends' this is what the apostle Paul did in scripture. He said, “None of these things move me.” What were “these things?” Circumstances that looked impossible. Persecution. People trying to talk him out of it. Negative, discouraging thoughts. His attitude was, “That doesn’t change my mind. I’m not moved by what I see. I’m moved by what I know, and I know if God be for me, who dare be against me? I know all of God’s promises are yes and amen. I know God has the final say!”

OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I choose to trust You over trusting my circumstances, knowing that You are faithful. I choose to stand strong in You. Give me Your peace and joy as I wait on You and let me be a testimony of Your grace in Jesus’ name. Amen

Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor
Selah Christian Church

"Come as you are...leave better"

No-Smiling?

Today's Scripture:

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35

Today's Word:

Usually we we're told smile before someone takes our picture. But in some parts of the US, a no-smiling policy is enforced when getting your photo taken for a driver's license. Because identity theft, these motor vehicle departments carefully check new photos that are taken to be sure they don't match photos already in the system. If someone gets a picture taken under a false name, an alarm is sent to the operator. From 1999 to 2009, one state stopped 6,000 people from getting fraudulent licenses. But why no smoling? Because the technology recognizes a face more easily if the person has a neutral facial expression.

Thought for today...

Selah people' and friends, Jesus prescribed a good way to recognize a Christian. He told His disciples, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have lovw for one another" (John 13:35). The ways to show love to fellow believers are as endless as there people with needs: a note of encouragement, a visit, a meal, a gentle rebuke, a prayer, a Bible verse, a listening ear, a blog like this or yes even just a friendly smile.
   
The apostle John wrote, "We know we have passed from to life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). Can others recognize, by our care for our fellow Cheistians, that we know and love the Lord?

Today's Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pray your will become our will and that others may see Christ reflected in and through us. They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love...yes they'll know we Christians by our love!

Your pastor,

Patrick

Rev Patrick Muston
Selah Christian Church

Stand up and Share the Gospel...

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE:

I saw...the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God.

Revelation 6:9


TODAY’S WORD:

You see it a lot these days…people making concessions for the sake of compromise, screams for tolerance from those who are intolerant of other viewpoints, and rejection of what is right because the many who dispute it argue loudly. Where are you today? Are you in the midst of a situation that requires you to stand your ground for truth? Do you need encouragement to be unashamed of sharing the gospel of Christ?

Current events in this nation could give you the feeling that the enemy is winning. But know that the Lord will have the last word. The unbeliever trusts that God is gracious, kind and loving. And He is. But He is also a holy and just God who requires punishment for sin and judgment on those who oppose Him.

Selah people’ and friends when Christ comes a second time, will you be among those who are taken with Him to your heavenly home having stood firm in the truth of His Word? Do not be left behind. Pray now for strength to stand against the schemes of Satan. Then share His love and plead for this nation…that it may turn from its lying and deceitful ways to the truth of God.


OUR PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Heavenly Father, you call on us to stand up for the Gospel and preach it to every people and nation and at times when we do that we know that we will be criticized by others. Yes, even those who claim to be Christian will say our Jesus is not as good as there Jesus. That our denomination is not as good as theirs. Our style is insufficient because we do not witness, pray, sing or preach the same as theirs. I thank God daily that through acceptance in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and believing that He died on that cross for the forgiveness of my sins that through my confession and belief I am forgiven and so can others be. I am thankful also for the Holy Spirit. May we stand together against the devil and those who try to stand in the way of sharing the Gospel. Be blessed and be a blessing!


In Christ service,

Patrick


Rev Patrick Muston, Senior Pastor

Selah Christian Church, Four Oaks, NC



Words to ponder…


Ephesians 6:10-18, 23-24



The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Ephesians 6:23-24

23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.