Pastor James' Blog » A Little Something To Think About From The Word

Something GREAT Happened!!

jross — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:32:38 +0000

The service this morning at Life House was “off the chain” as so many of our friends like to say! All weekend I’ve had this deep feeling that God was going to do something awesome in the serve – and HE DID! The day began as usual…Life House Community Cafe Sunday Morning Breakfast. Lot’s of “usual” faces, a few new ones. Great breakfast. Then little by little it became time for the worship service to start. People began to make their way into the worship center, smiling, laughing, ready to worship. The music began – praises filled the air. What a time of worship in music! Then time for the preaching of the Word. I shared a message entitled, “I JUST FEEL LIKE SOMETHING GOOD IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!” I’m a simple preacher…no flowery words, no great intellectual thoughts. Just a simple country preacher sharing simple country preaching. I preached I believed Jesus laid on my heart for the service. The people were attentive. During the “altar call” Jesus began to fill up the altar with people needing prayer, rededicating their lives and just praying (hands and hearts lifted high). The Lord began to work in some hearts and during the altar call twelve (12) people called on Jesus name and were saved! What a time! One of our members invited their Dad to church and he came for the first time. He left SAVED!!! You know – I believe something GREAT happened! The devil is mad and Jesus is glorified. Pray for even more souls to be saved!!!! 98 souls saved so far and millions more to go! The harvest truly is plenteous, the labourers are few – pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth labours into HIS HARVEST. It’s time for us to go after souls like never before!!

ONE LAST THING… If you would like to come – starting the first Sunday night in September – September 5, at 5:30 p.m. we will be going through the basic training course of “THE WAY OF THE MASTER”. You DO NOT have to be a member or part of Life House to come for this time of training. We will be learning how to win souls to Jesus in an easy, effective manner. This course will hopefully equip our people (and others too) to be able to witness boldly for Jesus. Don’t miss out on this time of learning! Don’t say I didn’t invite you !!!

How’s Your Heart?

jross — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:38:16 +0000

Services today at Life House were great! It was a blessing to see new faces, hear people singing to the Lord, watching the slide show about our youth and the 7th – 12th grade day camp and hear them speak. It was great to share the Word and see the Lord moving in the service. I preached this morning on “How’s Your Heart?”. So many times Christian people feel that because they have been saved that their heart is totally, at all times, right with God. IT’S NOT. As a matter of fact – you can I both know that SOME Christians are the most judgemental, critical, negative people you could find anywhere. So many christians feel that because they “look holy”, “dress holy”, and APPEAR to have it all together that they are better than those outside the church. WRONG! You can look, dress, smell and act – HOLY – but you can still be UGLY inside! You can have an unclean heart…aheart filled with bitterness, gossip, hatred, prejudice, control, unforgiveness and evil thoughts. God does NOT look on the outside as most people do – He looks on the inside. I for one struggled early in my ministry with being judgemental towards men with long hair, earrings or people with tattoos. I usually didn’t even know the people I WRONGLY assumed that they weren’t as good as me or that they really weren’t “good people” since they had that type appearance. I was totally wrong! In the past few years God has enabled me to “get past” that. I’ve met some of the most sincere, godly people who have all or some of those traits listed above. It’s been my blessing to get to know REAL people. People who have a past (and don’t we all) and live REAL. They don’t try to be something they are not – they simply are sinners saved by grace seeking to live for the Lord. So tell, how’s your heart? Are there some places that you need to allow the Lord to come in, wipe clean and help you with? By the way – be careful. If a man says he has no sin – he’s a liar and the truth is not in him. Not my words – they are HIS. I’m glad to be a part of a church that loves PEOPLE -just as they are. One that doesn’t see color, past or the outside. They look at the heart and desire to help all people come to know Jesus. What a blessing!! Pastor James

A Little Trivia For You…

jross — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:39:45 +0000

What was the first temptation? Think about it – what did the devil first tempt Eve with? How does that particular temptation effect humans? How does it effect your spiritual life? MORE TO COME…just give it some thought. I had a friend share something with me last night – and it HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS. Think about it – re-read the scriptures and meditate on that particular sin – the particular temptation and why did the devil choose THAT as the first temptation. Just something to think about…..

Are You Safely Under God’s Umbrella of Protection?

jross — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:22:48 +0000

I’m still learning..what about you?

In Adult Life Group tonight we learned that as believers we are to be subject and submissive to to those God has placed in authority over us. God set up the principle of authority and it would do us all well to learn it, follow it and experience the freedom and blessing God gives when we do. The “umbrella of protection” is ours as long as we stay under God’s principle of authority in Government, Home, Church and Work. It’s when we begin to “take over”, “do it our way” and not follow God’s authority (those in leadership) that we begin to get out from under the umbrella of His protection. Too many Christians want to take the authority and run with it – that’s why there are so many troubled churches. Diotrophes was a man that was operating in opposition to God’s principle of authority. He desired to “run things” and always had a “better idea” rather than follow the man God had placed in his life as his spiritual authority. So many today in the church want to lead instead of follow God’s man. There can only be one leader – one under shepherd and that is the pastor. The Pastor will answer to God for the way he handles, leads and guides the church body. The members will not be responsible answer for how things go at the church – UNLESS they seek to usurp authority and cause division in the church. When we begin to step outside that umbrella of protection then we are walking in a very dangerous way. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Witchcraft is the devils realm and when you rebel against God and those He has placed in authority (President, Parents, Husband, Pastor, Boss) then you are dealing with the same spirit of rebellion that is a sin and in the devil’s realm. Maybe it would do ALL of us good (myself included) to give thought to our attitude and actions toward those in authority over us. How about you? Do you follow those God has called to be over you or do you prefer to “run things” and always have a “better idea”? May God help us all to follow those He has in authority over us so that we might honor His will for our lives. Pastor James

I CHALLENGE YOU TO READ THIS…

jross — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:50:49 +0000

One of my friends, who pastor’s a church in Mississippi, has a blog and I love reading his thoughts almost everyday. His church is one of our partner churches. The blog talks about baby christians and believe you me – there is a sermon it it! I challenge you to read it prayerfully and apply where needed. Be careful though and not get stuck by your diaper pins as you take your diaper off to put on your big boy or big/girl pants. (LOL)

http://insidethepastorsmind.blogspot.com/2009/02/baby-christians.html

Thanks Bro. Jonathan for a word well written. Truth comes in many forms – even in blogs!

Pastor James

Last Sunday Of 2008…

jross — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:01:21 +0000

We had a great time of worship and fellowship today at Life House. Even though we had several of our regulars out traveling due to the holiday season, we had 76 present. We also were blessed by having a 19 year old lady saved and two come for baptism. If all goes as planned we will probably schedule a night to bapize near the end of January. We are excited about all that God is doing at Life House. God has plans to build and raise up a strong, multi-ethnic congregation in College Hill. Pray for us. Pray for us as we seek to find the following people to add to our church staff in 2009: we need a black associate pastor, a black man or woman who is good with music to become co-worship leader with Josh and we need two people (one black and one white) to become co-youth leaders. God has the RIGHT people to come on board and help us reach this area. Those who are added to the church staff must be strong Bible believers, grounded in the Word and willing to take a step of faith to be a part of this new mission and ministry. Keep praying with us and God will send who we need soon.

YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT… So i’m asking. If anyone knows of a good used refrigerator – we have a family that is in need of one really bad. We could make arrangements to pick it up – but they really don’t have the funds to pay for one. If it’s cheap enough we might can work it out. If you know of one – let me know ASAP. THANKS!

Pastor James

PEACE

jross — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:40:50 +0000

My daily devotional this morning was a real blessing. It was about Christmas and the Peace of God. Thought I would share it with you. May God give you and yours the PEACE OF GOD and PEACE WITH GOD this Christmas season.

Christmas Brings the Peace of God
by Rick Warren

You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

Once you make peace with God, that’s spiritual peace, then you get the peace of God in your heart and that’s emotional peace.

This is the one you really need for daily living. The peace of God happens in your heart when you’ve made peace with God. All of a sudden, the stress in your life goes down. You’re not as angry as you used to be. Things don’t bother you as much. You’re a lot more patient. You’re filled with a lot more love and peace.

Why? Because once you have peace with God, you have the peace of God in your heart.

The Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). You have two choices in life: You can pray or panic, worship or worry. Those are your choices. Worry has never solved a single one of your problems. If you prayed as much as you worry, you would have a lot less to worry about! Prayer can change things. That’s why the Bible says, “Don’t worry. Pray!”

“Pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Thank him for all that he’s done. [And if you do this] You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

May God help us to “cast our care on Him” this holiday season and claim the PEACE OF GOD that passes understanding. Merry Christmas Life House Friends!!! Pastor James

Making A Choice…

jross — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:39:01 +0000

This morning I got up a little early and listened to one of our local pastor’s on television. He shared a message from Joshua 24:15. It was a message for the family. He shared that Joshua made a conscious decision to serve Jehovah God. He had other choices. He could have served the gods of his past or even the gods of his present – but HE chose to serve the God that he knew was and is GOD. It’s all a choice. God doesn’t MAKE anyone serve Him. He willingly allows us to choose. Choices not chance determines destiny. In 2009 we need to make a CHOICE who we are going to serve. We can choose to serve self, satan, sin or whatever – or we can serve the Lord. It’s going to require saying NO to some things. It’s going to require making some adjustments in our lives. We might have to give up “ball practice” on Sunday or Wednesdays. We might have to get another job because ours keeps us from being faithful to God’s house to worship. It might be that we have to change our routine in order to study God’s Word or spend time with Him. It might be that we have to DO SOMETHING in order to DRAW CLOSE to the LORD! It’s time – it’s time for God’s people to get serious about their walk and relationship with the Lord. NO MORE EXCUSES. It’s time to “suck it up” and “grow up”! No more “I’m sick”, “I’m too tired”, “it’s not exciting enough”, “i don’t enjoy it”….it’s time to stand tall and SERVE THE LORD! MAKE the RIGHT CHOICE for yourself and your family in 2009 – SERVE THE LORD with all your heart, soul and mind. YOU WILL BE BLESSED!! Think about it…. Pastor James

The Words Just Jumped Right Off The Page!!

jross — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:10:20 +0000

This morning during my devotion time – a phrase that i’ve read hundreds of times seemed to jump right off the page. Hebrews 12:2 says “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,…” It doesn’t just say “look at Jesus” or “look to Jesus” but rather FIX OUR EYES on Jesus!!! Sometimes we get our eyes focused on the wrong things. Sometimes I lose my focus – when I am called to keep my eyes FIXED on JESUS!! When I am “FIXED” on Jesus things in my world look much different than when I am fixed on ME. When I am FIXED on JESUS nothing that comes my way will totally disrupt my life. When the winds and waves of life come my way I can trust that Jesus is still in control. Notice that the verse encourages us to DO SOMETHING: LET US – FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS. That tells me that it’s a choice. Every day I need to make the choice to FIX MY EYES on Jesus – not people, not the government, not the economy – ON JESUS!! When I am FIXED on JESUS – nothing can shake my faith, cause me to quit or keep me down! AMEN!!! GLORY!!!!! Whew – I am ’bout to preach myself into a shouting fit! LOL – Anyways – thought I would share that little blessing I found this morning with all of you who read the blog. KEEP YOUR EYES FIXED ON JESUS TODAY! Pastor James