Thought for today

Morningstar it is easy to keep a record of sins. How many times have we found ourselves caught up in bitterness over someone’s repeated offences against us? How many times should we continue to forgive? Jesus addressed that very question when Peter asked Him how many times we should forgive someone. Peter in a magnanimous gesture suggests seven times, but Jesus said seven times seventy was more like it. The truth is God’s love is greater than we can imagine. David was trying to make that point in this passage. He was amazed at the fact that God was totally justified in keeping record of all our wrongs but chooses not to. Instead, what does God do? He offers forgiveness. Forgiveness is a powerful healer. Is there something weighing heavy on your heart? Is there a secret sin or something from the past you need to repent of? Today, bring it to God. The God who does not keep a ledger of your wrongdoings but instead offers complete forgiveness.
Today prayer Father, thank You for not keeping a record of my wrongs. Instead, I bring my sins to You and ask You to forgive me and set me free. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

Stumbling blocks?

Morningstar I  knows that money is one of man's most significant stumbling blocks. Greed and fear force us to hold tightly to our money. Many people worship money and will do whatever it takes to get it and keep it. When we are able to freely and joyfully give our money to God, we achieve a freedom like no other. Our obedience in financial stewardship reveals a maturity of character that God treasures. When we honor Him with our financial obedience, He blesses us.  for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 3:12) (For understanding, read Malachi 3-10-18)

Obedience opens up opportunities for God to bless us. Just as a responsible parent would not reward a disobedient child, God cannot reward us when we do not obey Him. If you are struggling financially, it could be a result of financial disobedience. This is not the only reason we experience financial difficulty, certainly, but it can be one reason.

God also asks for our faith and trust. When we willingly surrender a tenth of our income, especially when we believe we can't afford to, we're telling God, "I believe You will take care of me and provide for me." God wants for us to be able to look beyond our circumstances and rely on Him for our needs. "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" (Luke 12:24)What is your stumbling block?...........Jason

We have A dream

We have A dream of creating a safe shelter for those who are lonely, hurting, confused, hopeless, helpless, and lost; that they may experience the same love, acceptance, hope, comfort, encouragement, forgiveness, and fellowship that Jesus demonstrated toward those with whom He came in contact.

 

We have A dream of welcoming lots of new believers into our family each year, where we laugh, love, cry, and grow together in harmony.  We want to grow them to become mature in Christ and to minister for Christ, as well as serve in missions. 

 

We have A dream to do whatever it takes to reach the lost and unchurched with the unchanging and timeless message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, utilizing any and every method while honoring God.

 

We have A dream of starting new “church planting churches” and congregations as fruits of a healthy and growing church both in the states and around the world.  We desire to surround the Effingham County area with new churches who will operate under the same vision in order to take back a city and county for Christ.

 

We have A dream of equipping every member for their significant ministry to which God has called them by helping them realize and develop their spiritual gifts, talents, skills, and abilities.  We desire to have every member actively involved in ministry.

 

We have A dream of developing multitudes of believers to spiritual maturity through discipleship classes, small group Bible studies, relationships that that build up, and a great fellowship where the love of Christ is alive and vibrant.

 

We have A dream of building a church with beautiful, yet simple facilities including a worship center seating 500, a prayer center, classrooms for Bible studies and training lay ministers, and resource center containing food, clothing, Life center ,and community support ministries.  All of this will be designed to minister to the whole person; spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.  Each facility will be equipped with state of the art lighting, sound, and innovative technology.Morningstar do you have a dream?

Guilty of all

Morningstar I have a question for you? How many people does a person have to kill to be considered a murderer? Obviously, JUST ONE! So likewise, how many lies does a person have to tell to be a liar? Again, JUST ONE!Revelation 21:8 tells us that ALL LIARS will have their part in the SECOND DEATH (THE LAKE OF FIRE). James 2:10 affirms this, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in ONE POINT, he is GUILTY OF ALL.” Once Adam and Eve had committed sin, they were bound for an earthly grave as well as an eternal grave in hell forever. Hell is the destiny of all those who are spiritually dead when they die. If you die in your sins, it is too late. It is also worthy to mention that Adam and Eve only committed ONE SIN; thus, disobeying God. What was their horrible sin? Eating some fruit! It is common for people today to diminish the wickedness of sin. We must NOT make the sin of deciding how sinful sin is—ALL sin is wicked and wrong because ALL sin is rebellion against God. Also, Adam and Eve were not degenerate people before they sinned, they were perfect and upright. This teaches us that NO ONE is above sin. We ALL have the potential to sin, no matter how close we walk with God. The old sin nature CANNOT be tamed! I said all this not to scare you but TOO MAKE YOU THINK ......In Love Jason

Hell

Morningstar lets talk about HELL  he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS (Matthew 25:41). God never intended for one single person to end up in Hell. It is NOT God’s will that anyone should perish in their sins and go to Hell... “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that ALL should come to REPENTANCE” (2nd Peter 3:9). It is NOT God’s fault if men and women are stubborn and unwilling to REPENT of their unbelief. Hell was NOT created for human beings but rather for Satan and his horde of demons. We are ALL without excuse for the wrong decisions we make in life—we CANNOT blame God. Perhaps other humans influenced us to make some wrong decisions but that’s not God’s fault. I often tell people, “Don’t give up on God because men fail you.” Let Job be our example, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). What a statement that is !!!!!!!! Morningstar we have friends and family memebers  that is going to Hell. But God has a another place  for them can you help?

Home group!!!!!!!

The heart and soul of Morningstar Church is our Sunday Morning and our home group. This is where you really get to know Morningstar  and the people that make up the church. It is a time to build lasting, God-centered relationships as you fellowship and study God’s Word together. Bible Study is a great opportunity to grow in your faith as we serve together and reach out to those around us.

We offer a relevant, life changing Bible Study in all of our classes as we send people out to their mission field to serve the Lord each and every day. God’s Word is a living, breathing document that is applicable to our everyday lives and should bring changes in the way we live.

We encourage people to visit several different classes to find the best fit for them. Make a plan this week to be a part of a home group  where you can study God's Word.

You are never satisfied

Morningstar so why does a  baby never ceases to whimper and cry for things. He's hungry, so you feed him. Then he's tired, so you give him a nap. He then wakes up with a wet diaper. You change the diaper, then he wants to play. You refuse to play, so he cries. Then he's hot. Then he's cold. Then he bumps his head. A baby is just never satisfied.

Many of God's people are like this. They whimper about everything. The preacher preaches too long. He didn't shake your hand today. He didn't smile at you. Sally's dress is nicer than your dress. George's wife is prettier than your wife. Doesn't  Fred know that he's sitting in your chair? By the way, who authorized that new wall paper? No one consulted your opinion.

Our churches are just filled with this kind of never-ending nagging and murmuring. While the mature Christians are praying, studying, working or winning souls, the murmuring little babies are being used of Satan to hinder and frustrate the real work of the ministry.

The Bible says in Numbers 11:1, "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD . . ." God is DISPLEASED with your constant murmuring, and He will judge you for it if it doesn't stop. You, as a born-again child of God, are expected to be CONTENT, THANKFUL and REJOICING in the Lord (Philip. 4:4; 4:11; I Thes. 5:18). Anything less is SIN.

Morningstar with Faith

Morningstar with Faith comes trusting in what Jesus has done for you rather than trusting your own efforts to restore fellowship with God. Faith is complete reliance on Christ to put you in right relationship with God, allowing Him to live His life through you. Faith also involves repentance or genuine sorrow for sin and willingness to turn away from sin.

Through prayer you can trust in Jesus Christ. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his ways and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7) Admit to God that you are a sinner. Express sorrow or repentance for your sinfulness. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Invite Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord. Thank Him for entering your life. Commit yourself to live for Him.

Accepting Christ is the beginning. After accepting Him, be obedient by following Christ in baptism and by uniting with a church. When you do, you will find that your life truly does have purpose and meaning. Talk with another Christian about your decision for Christ.

I need to let go.

When you struggle with things in life you are often told to "Hold on."

Sometimes it just isn't possible. Sometimes it's just wrong.

Sometimes we need to let go.

I can't hold on any more. I need desperately to let go. I need to distance myself from things in the present and in particular things of the past.

That's probably the worst part, the toughest part. Letting go of things of the present is easier. They are happening now. You can influence, control the outcome. You can wake up today and say, "I'm going to stop smoking!" and actually begin.

You can stand in front of a mirror and see things that can be changed today. Your weight, the way you dress, your hairstyle and your attitude.

But letting go of the past...that's a challenge.

I carry with me way too many things of the past. I flash back in seconds to a memory I apparently can't let go of. At the same time it's a memory I can't do a thing about. It's done. It's over. I can't change it.

I need to let go.

Perhaps you find yourself spending time thinking about the way things were. Maybe you are longing for the "good old days."

You're holding onto pleasant memories, moments that made you who you are today. That's fine. It's a part of the fabric of you.

Maybe you are holding on to things of the past that are not so pleasant. Things you did, said, had done to you and it is stealing away the precious time you have now. You are holding onto destructive things that you should let go of.

You are not just holding on, you are holding yourself back.

Letting go of the rope would free your hands making them available to embrace someone, something more important. The fall won't kill you. It will heal you.

Take time today to make a list. Using a single sheet of paper draw a line straight down the middle. On top write "Hold onto" over one column and "Let go of" on top of the other column.

Then begin writing down all the things of your life that need to be dealt with. Use a pencil. Ink is too permanent. Life is written in pencil so that we can change our plans, rid ourselves of things we need not be concerned with.

Look at that list and make changes to it. Re-examine the list everyday until you feel comfortable with your choices.

Things of the past should all be on the side marked "Let go of."

Things of the present should be held onto unless they are out of your control and you have no influence over them. If you cannot change or influence it, then it is simply not worth worrying about. Let go.

Post this list somewhere that you will see it daily and as you go along add to, take away things as you see fit.

The only real thing you should hold onto is your faith and the love you give and the love you get.

"1 Thessalonians 5:21 "Test everything. Hold on to the good."

Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?"
I'm letting go! How about you?