Summons Radio

Did you hear that a moment ago Christian? We don't often quote that promise! The promise that it has been granted to us as believer's to suffer for Christ. So, the question is, are you? Are you experiencing the persecution that He promised for those who stand for His truth? If you're not...maybe you need to consider whether you're taking a stand at all.

This kingdom in which we live seems to be governed by lies. Half truths are not truth at all. And we have a responsibility as Christians to share the truths of God's Word with those around us. Why? If we don't, how will they know? The only way we or those who don't believe yet can know what is wrong is through the Word of God.

Each and every day we have an opportunity to be a light for Christ. And as we'll hear from Pastor Terry today, this can happen through something as simple as a smile. Don't be deceived by the enemy into thinking that you have to be a pastor or an evangelist to be used by God...God wants to use your right where you are!

Though this life can be difficult at times. God has a specific purpose for each person who has professed faith in Him. Like Paul, we need to be able to say to live is Christ and to die is gain. This means that the entirety of our lives are consumed with Christ and the death that we will experience simply means we're moving...from here to Heaven.

Each and every time we encounter the prompting of the Holy Spirit we're faced with a decision. Will we obey or will be disobey? And the same is true when we're initially born again. The Holy Spirit shows us that we're full of sin and in need of a Savior...and then we have a choice. Be careful to not harden your heart like Pharoah did.

Unfortunately, there's a bad tendency in the Body of Christ. When a certain ministry or leader of a ministry goes through hard times or falls into grave sin, instead of praying, we often find a sick joy in their struggle. Brother and sister in Christ, this should not be! Our hearts should be grieved when these things happen.

The Scriptures say that there is nothing new under the sun. And that's certainly true when speaking of factions with the Body of Christ. Today we'll learn about the splinter groups that surrounded Paul's ministry and where their allegiance actually was. Our allegiance should be to God, not a church, pastor, or ministry.

Like Paul, each of us has different chains that we might see as inhibiting our lives. But, we need to take the time to stop and seek the Father as to what His purpose is for the struggle. Paul knew that his time in prison could even be used by God. Is that how you perceive the struggles in your life...just ways for God to work?

Sometimes difficult times in life can seem pointless and we can begin to lose hope. If there was anyone who could have felt this way, it was the Apostle Paul. And yet, as we'll learn today, this isn't how Paul reacted to trying times in his life. We learn that even while Paul was in prison, he was still ready and willing to share the Gospel with those around him.

Paul prayed for the spiritual progress of those that he ministered to. And we should have the same heart for each other. But our spiritual progress won't necessarily be seen by others. The progress that we learn about today is in the heart. It's all about our relationship with our Father in heaven.

In today's Christian world there's a gross misunderstanding about love. Some people believe that we should love everyone no matter what. And while that IS true, it requires a bit more of a definition. God certainly wants us to love everyone, but part of loving someone is telling them when they're wrong.

Have you ever considered yourself to be a work of art? If you're like most of us, you look in the mirror and laugh at a thought like that. :-) But, God is working in your life, sanctifying and changing you into His image...YOU are His work of art!

There's a saying, 'you can take that to the bank'. People use this phrase to describe something that's virtually guaranteed. Today we learn that God has made a promise to each and every believer. He's promised that He will complete the good work of salvation that He started in each of our lives.

One of the responsibilities for every Christian is to partner financially with the church that you attend in order that the ministry might be as fruitful as possible. Now, does God NEED your money? No! Of course not! But, God has given us direction in His Word as to what we're supposed to be doing with the money He's entrusted to us.

The Bible is clear about the issue of friendship. If a person wants to have friends, they must be a friend themselves. And as Pastor Terry just mentioned, that's sometimes where you need to start when considering why you struggle with having and keeping friends. Are you a friend those around you?

The Trinity is another doctrine that is being challenged by some these days. Today we learn from the Scriptures that there are three parts to the Godhead...God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And there is NO division between these three parts. They are one!

There are many cults today that deny the divinity of Jesus Christ. They say that He was just a prophet or just a good teacher. But, is that what the Bible says? No! The Bible clearly declares that Jesus Christ was one hundred percent God! And we learn today that you cannot be saved unless you believe this Biblical truth.

There's a term that describes Jesus, He's omnipresent...He's everywhere. And as believer's we can experience the reality of this truth daily. But, we must approach God by faith believing that He is. This is what we understand to be sanctification...God setting His children apart for His good purposes.

Christians aren't normal. They are set apart. What does that mean? It means that you were purchased at a high price and that God has a very specific purpose for your life. God wants to use you to spread the Good News of His Son, Jesus Christ. As saints of God we all have a place to be serving in His Kingdom.

Today Pastor Terry shares with us the beautiful ceremony involved with a person becoming a bond servant in Biblical times. And the symbolism will become obvious as Pastor Terry teaches. The question we're left with is, am I totally surrendered to God? Have I laid down my life out of love for Him?

Sometimes we get the wrong idea about ministry. We think that we need to fly to Africa and share the Gospel in order to be in ministry. And while that might be God's plan for some of our lives...most of us need to learn to be faithful right where we're at...in our homes, our jobs, at school, and the local congregation where we worship.

As we just heard a moment ago from Pastor Terry...the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives is that we might be the most productive believer's that we can possibly be. God wants to use each and every person within His Body. The question is, are you seeking Him for His will in your life?

It's easy in this existence to lose your way...to get off the narrow road that God has for us. His Holy Word is the key...His Word was and is intended for us to be a like a life GPS. When we stray from what the written Word says, we lose our way. So, if you find yourself lost, turn back to the Word of God and you will find your way.

Jesus said that the measure that we use to judge others will be the same measure that we're judged by. Does that mean we should never judge? No, it just means we need to carefully examine ourselves FIRST and always use the Word of God alone as the source of judgment.

Purity within the Body of Christ is a must! Jesus gave us clear direction in the Gospel of Matthew as to how to deal within the fellowship. We need to be careful to not see ourselves as more loving than God. Applying God's Word in every situation IS the most loving thing that we can do...especially for the one caught in sin.