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September 12th, 2011
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16
God’s plans for you are significant. If you’re feeling beat down, socially awkward, or insignificant, Jesus powerfully affirmed your value when He gave His life at the prime age of 33 so that people like you and me can experience freedom from bondage. Worth is determined by the price someone is willing to pay. The significant and fruitful life is accessible to all who seek God—it’s not a spectator sport but the proper working of each individual part.
I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1:17-19 The Message
The world is laboring under a sense of futility. We as followers of Jesus must counteract that pointlessness by studying what the Word says about God’s amazing call and His provision for that call. Realizing that God is establishing you for something of significance will build in you the confidence to not shrink back—even during times of challenge.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
God wants to use you to do some extraordinary things. You are being called out by God for Kingdom purposes beyond what you can even imagine right now—to pray huge prayers, walk in divine influence, be naturally supernatural, shape culture, and change this generation. He can even take the hurts of your past and turn them into credibility when you reach out to someone else going through similar pain. Lift up your eyes and see the amazing life God has for you!
God Bless You!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Ephesians 1:17-19 taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Posted in God's plans | No Comments »
September 5th, 2011
Te•na•cious (verb): holding or grasping firmly; forceful and persistent; holding together firmly; tough or cohesive. Collins English Dictionary
Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4
Your commitment makes a difference. The world right now needs people who have backbone, who persevere through challenging circumstances.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. —Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States
The righteous live not by the mustering of one’s own human courage, but by faith. If you’ve received Jesus, tenacity has been downloaded into your heart. The resurrection power of Jesus is at work in you, and the power of God is looking for areas of expression in your life, but it has to be obtained by a tenacious attitude of faith. Sow to your spirit daily. Remember that you are a spirit being who has a soul and lives in a body. Pray in the Spirit and confess the Scriptures. God’s words are spirit and life (John 6:63), and they will sharpen the places that have been dulled by life.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35-36, 39
Perseverance is its own reward. Though life is brief, it has eternal consequences. Stop living a dull existence and get back into that gritty tenacious life for which you were designed. God can do a lot through one persistent, obedient, faith-filled person!
More than a conqueror,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. “tenacious.” Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. Dictionary.com
Tags: God's Word, persevering, tenacity
Posted in Attitude | No Comments »
August 29th, 2011
Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19
The book of Habakkuk provides a beautiful picture of how to move from doubt to faith, from confusion to understanding, from fear to hope. Habakkuk was a guy who lived during one of the most difficult times of the nation of Judah, but he learned to seek God for his strength.
What I see in Habakkuk’s life is a recurring theme in the lives of Gideon, Samuel, and David. They weren’t afraid to ask questions, but they waited for God to give answers. The Bible shows us that these were real human beings who all had rough circumstances, but they looked to God—and all of them got restoration, breakthrough, and a second chance.
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Hebrews 11:32-34
God is very present to help in your time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). David needed help and he strengthened himself in the Lord. Habakkuk inquired of the Lord. Jonah sought God from the belly of a fish. If those guys can do it, we can do it. We can look past the junk and bad circumstances and focus our attention on God.
Whatever your current situation, you can encourage yourself in the Lord. Carve out some time to seek God—even if you feel like Jonah with seaweed wrapped around your head—and God will strengthen you!
Be strong in the Lord!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tags: breakthrough, seeking God, Strength
Posted in Strength | No Comments »
August 22nd, 2011
Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; its branches run over a wall. Genesis 49:22
Joseph’s story shows someone who seemed destined to wither, but against all odds he flourished! As Jacob prayed a blessing over his kids at the end of his life, he described his son Joseph as a fruitful bough who thrived so much that his branches ran over a wall. Wherever Joseph was—slavery, prison—he always rose to the top.
In Joseph’s life we see an amazing miracle of mercy. Joseph got called upon by Pharaoh, and he went from the obscurity of prison to alleviating the suffering of Egypt’s people. But his reach went beyond the walls of his world and touched the very ones who had victimized him and hurt him!
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you Ephesians 4:31-32
Joseph mercifully forgave his brothers for their cruel treatment. There is power in forgiveness—all of us have been hurt, and all of us have hurt others. But when we lay aside bitterness, we’re going to get breakthrough.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3
Joseph flourished not because of his amazing humanness but because he was a fruitful bough by a spring—his roots grew deep into the rivers of God! The life of Joseph shows us how God can turn around any situation—even a horrible one like Joseph’s where he was victimized and hurt by his own brothers.
So don’t throw away your dreams or your confidence in God. Stay in the flow; don’t give up; don’t compromise; hold to the conviction that God will make a roadway in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tags: dreams, forgiveness, Joseph, mercy, rivers in the desert
Posted in Perseverance | No Comments »
August 15th, 2011
[One of the scribes asked] “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, o Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28b-31
Nothing matters more than making Jesus a priority. God wants you to finish stronger than when you started. He is more interested in your fruitfulness over the long course than in some little blip of what people call “success” followed by a faltering dead end. Even those of you who don’t suspect it or who are dealing with cynicism—God has a plan for your life, and He is doing something in your world.
Church is a launching environment for us to become thinking disciples of Jesus, loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In this life we will go through the fire, but as we follow God, we will bear much fruit.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
God does not show partiality. He values you (Acts 10:34-35), so seek the Lord and listen for His voice. He wants to download vision into your spirit. He will lead and guide you in His plans. Maybe you need to take a vacation day and fast and pray. Get a legal pad and have the audacity to write down what you are believing God for. Make sure it’s biblical. Expect God’s will to come to pass. When the will of God is known, faith will rise.
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
You may not have it figured out, but God has it all figured out. When you find out what His will is, get after it! There are other people attached to your obedience, and God wants to do some amazing things through you.
Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tags: God's commandments, God's faithfulness, God's will, Jesus
Posted in God's will | No Comments »
August 8th, 2011
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15b
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20a
God wants to use each one of us. So it’s important that we push aside the tyranny of the urgent and really take time to figure out what matters most to God. In these last words of Jesus before He ascended into heaven, we see that He came to save and redeem—and that is the big deal of big deals! The Great Commission was given to the early church and it is still for us today.
com•mis•sion (noun) 1. A duty or task committed to a person or group to perform. 2. Authority to undertake or perform certain duties or functions. 3. A document granting such authority. Collins English Dictionary*
So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. Mark 16:19-20
We have the abiding presence of the Equipper. Jesus said “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). Ours is not a gospel that is impotent. The Lord worked with the disciples as they preached and miracles followed. When God calls you, He also equips you (Hebrews 13:20-21).
The Gospel is the power of God—as we speak it and live it, hearts will be opened and lives will be changed. But you can’t steer a parked car. It’s easy to get apathetic and stay put, but signs and wonders follow people on the go. So keep your eyes on Jesus and stay tuned to His Word. Press through disappointments, difficulties, and disillusionment. God will order your steps (Proverbs 16:9), and you can count on His goodness and mercy to follow you all the days of your life (Psalm 23:6).
Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. * Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers.
Tags: goodness and mercy, Great Commission, Jesus, the Equipper
Posted in reaching the world | No Comments »
August 1st, 2011
We can all get bogged down with the cares of life. That’s why every day we need to get washed with the “water of the Word” (Ephesians 5:26). So take time to get into the amazing Word of God!
• It is powerful. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
• It equips. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• It guides. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8
• It blesses. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25
• It brings peace. My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:1-2
• It strengthens. Strengthen me according to Your Word. Psalm 119:28b
• It always comes to pass. So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
• It is truth. Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. John 17:17 AMP
• It saves. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
• It heals. My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Proverbs 4:20-22
God bless you!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tags: God's Word, healing, peace, Strength, truth
Posted in God's Word | No Comments »
July 25th, 2011
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common. Acts 2:42-44
You may look in the mirror and feel like you aren’t all that. Good news: When you look at the great men and women of old, you’ll see that it’s not by might or power that they accomplished great things but by God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
Gideon was hiding from the Midianites when the angel of the Lord called him a “valiant warrior” (Judges 6:11). Daniel was kidnapped during war and relocated to a foreign land as a slave, but he became the prophet who interpreted the king’s dreams (Daniel 1:3). David was the youngest brother and inexperienced, but God looked at his heart and called him to be king (1 Samuel 16). Peter used to always say the wrong thing at the wrong time, but God sent His Holy Spirit and Peter told crowds of thousands about Jesus. If you feel like the odd man or woman out—you are in good company!
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
When you see this amazing model of the early church, know that God is not interested in a bunch of fancy pants people with hidden agendas. God uses regular people who are humble of heart.
This is our hour. Jesus’ name is above every name. So stand on the Word of God. It will produce results, and signs and wonders will follow!
Press On!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Tags: believing God, Daniel, David, Gideon, humble heart, name of Jesus, Peter, regular people
Posted in believing | No Comments »
July 18th, 2011
These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Acts 17:6b NKJV
The people in the Book of Acts were living so effectively it was rocking the world around them. They had a message that was life-changing, and they were doing life together with a heart of faith and a resolve to follow God. When they came on the scene, their words were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and signs and wonders followed them.
How the early church responded to their world in the midst of persecution is an amazing model: They gathered, they prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them.
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
God is still the same today (Hebrews 13:8). His promises are still the same today. This power from the Holy Spirit is still available today.
Some of you who have believed God for years and have had one hard battle after the other—I want to put you back in touch with the power of the Word of God:
• God watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
• God’s Word is forever settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89).
• God’s Word corrects and equips (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• God’s Word strengthens (Psalm 119:28).
You can dust off your dreams and hold to God’s promises with renewed boldness, renewed conviction, and renewed determination.
Trust God,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright © 2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Tags: God's power, God's promises, God's Word
Posted in God's promises | No Comments »
July 11th, 2011
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8
In the New Testament Gospels we see a contrast of two positions in two different towns. An approach in one town bore grim results. The other town, because of the proper attitude and reaction toward Jesus, had amazing results. And we’re out for results.
Familiarity breeds contempt. Indifference has crippling consequences. In Jesus’ hometown—Nazareth—people took offense at Jesus after questioning how someone they had known for years could have the power to heal. The results: “He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief” (Mark 6:5-6).
The exact opposite situation is found in the town of Capernaum in Matthew 8.
But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.” Matthew 8:8-10
Say the word. Words are soldiers and sickness is a slave that must submit to Jesus’ authority. This Roman soldier understood something that still applies 2000 years later. God’s Word is active and powerful and can heal just like the centurion’s servant was healed the moment Jesus said the word.
“It shall be done for you as you have believed” (Matthew 8:13). Your ability to conquer in life hinges on your attitude. I would much rather have Jesus marvel at my faith than at my unbelief. If you feel yourself getting cynical, wash with the water of the Word to avoid the calcification and hardness of heart that was seen in the people of Nazareth. Keep your heart ready for what God has ahead for you!
The best is yet to come!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®
Copyright ©2011 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Tags: Attitude, Capernaum, faith, God's Word, Nazareth, unbelief
Posted in faith | No Comments »
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