Summons Radio

Again we're exhorted today to keep in mind the past victories that we've experienced in God. When we begin to forget God's faithfulness in the past, our present can seem like more than we can bear. But considering how good God has been makes the current struggle seem like just another opportunity for God to be glorified.

It's easy when in the midst of the struggles and difficulties of this life to turn to a worldly solution. Shouldn't we consider Pastor Terry's words a moment ago? We need to remember how faithful God has been to us in the past. And then exercise faith based upon God's goodness and believe that He will carry us through our current problems.

There is coming a time when the nation of Israel will be saved. They will look upon the One that they have pierced and declare that He is the Messiah. Oh, what a blessed day that will be! In the meantime, the stage is being set for this glorious day. Israel is back in the land and is recognized as a nation....everything is set for our Savior's return.

There's a christianese phrase in the church...the LORD will restore the years that the canker worm has eaten. This phrase is used to describe the process by which God restores all the loss that we've experienced because of our wickedness...a time when God proves that He is greater than all our mistakes and shortcomings.

The national crisis that Pastor Terry was referring to was 9-11. After 9-11 there was such a surge in church attendance...such a feeling of religious need and expression. And yet, where are those people today? Well, the tragedy has passed and they've gone on about their lives without God...let's learn from this mistake.

Faithfulness...this is a vitally important trait that should mark the lives of believer's. Day after day, we need to be committed to the LORD and His ways. When our lives reflect His character and nature, He is glorified and His Truth is seen in all we do. So, continue to seek the LORD for faithfulness to be developed in your life.

Just like the exodus of God's people from the nation of Egypt, there's a mass exodus of professing believer's from the Word of God. In this technological age in which we live, simply verse by verse teaching through the Word of God is being replaced by power point presentation sermonetts. Oh, Christian...devote yourself to God's Word!

The example Pastor Terry just gave is a powerful one. It would be devastating to us husbands if our wives went to someone else for leadership. But, that's exactly what we see happened in the history of the nation of Israel. Instead of crying out the God who had repeatedly delivered them, they sought after foreign gods that were powerless.

Why do you pray? Why do you read your Bible? Why do you attend church? If it's not to further your relationship with God, then you need to begin asking yourself some serious questions. God wants a relationship that's based upon love and not duty. Our hearts should long to spend time with God, because we love Him.

God in Heaven desires that all would be saved. And He's making every possible opportunity available for you. In fact, He says that though you were not considered one of His people, once you place your faith in His Son Jesus Christ, your name will now be added to the book of life and you will be called one of His people.

There's not one of us who could say that we've always been part of the people of God...one who was saved. In fact, God gives us plenty of opportunities to make that profession. But, He will never force Himself on anyone. He lovingly waits...but, the waiting of God does have a limit...eventually He will honor your decision.

As Pastor Terry just mentioned, if you turn on your television or visit your local health food store, it's quite obvious; the overwhelming goal of society is to slow or stop death. But, this simply isn't possible. Now, that doesn't mean we shouldn't take care of these bodies...it just means that we need to accept the fact that we will die.

There's a lot of pressure on the younger generations...specifically those who are close to marriage age. As Pastor Terry just exhorted, don't forget to stay active in your community and your church while waiting for what God has for you in terms of a spouse. God DOES have the right person for you...you just need to wait for His timing.

Turning on the television or listening to the radio will expose you to all kinds of supposed role models. Ladies, you know that the media specifically targets your gender in order to sell you everything under the sun! Don't allow the media or Hollywood stars to be your aim in life...be like Rebecca, an industrious woman who loved the LORD.

We learn today that being gathered to your people doesn't have much to do with burial...actually, this phrase is describing the spiritual condition of a person. When you die, will you be gathered to the people of faith?...those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ or will you be gathered to those who have rejected Him?

We know that Jesus said that we're not to ask for signs. Why? Because He wants us to seek Him through prayer and His Word and hear directly from Him. This type of communication with God ensures that we won't be lead astray and that we'll live blessed and full lives according to His will.

As time passes and we find ourselves aging...our bodies simply won't do the things that they once could. But, with that change comes a glorious truth...the older you get, the closer to the kingdom you are. With age comes wisdom and that wisdom speaks of the age to come that will make this kingdom seem to be a distant dream.

Men in particular have a lot of expectations that don't seem to be rooted in the Scriptures. One of these expectations is that we shouldn't cry...even when we lose a loved. But, was that the example that Jesus gave us? No, in fact we know that our Savior wept. So, in times of loss, it's okay to grieve.

Above all else, God desires to bless us. But, He can only do this when we put Him first in our lives. When we follow after the things of this world, we sell ourselves short of the amazing blessings that God has for us. Putting God first in our lives ensures that we live abundantly blessed lives that please Him.

Even though it's usually very hard for us to understand...God's ways are so much higher than our ways. When a circumstance of your life just doesn't seem to make sense, ask the LORD to increase your faith so that you might trust Him through it...in the end, you'll be so blessed to see what God will accomplish.

In the last broadcast of Summons, Pastor Terry was talking about Every Day Faith...the idea that we can walk in the faith that God has given us in any given circumstance. And as we just heard a moment ago from Pastor Terry, we have nothing to fear because God is with us and He has promised to carry us through anything we face.

God's will for each and every person who's placed their faith in His Son Jesus is to productive and fruitful lives for His kingdom. And many times this happens in very simple every day sort of ways. We have an opportunity with every circumstance to choose to exercise our faith in God in order to bring Him glory.

There is no place for a works based salvation in the life of a Christian. And like Ishmael, that legalistic approach to God, must be thrown out. As we just heard from Pastor Terry, there is only ONE way to be saved...as Jesus told Nicodemus, you must be born again in order to be saved!

The book of Galatians chapter six verses seven and eight says, 'Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit, will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.' A perfect example of the reality of consequences in our lives.

Have you ever encountered a dog with rabies? There's really nothing that can be done for a dog with rabies...unfortunately, that dog has to be put down. The human heart is the same way. Our hearts are desperately wicked...there's no way to change them. What actually needs to happen is for us to receive new hearts.