MARCH MADNESS!

MARCH MADNESS!

This month is March Madness for all you college hoop fans! As I was watching some of the games on TV, I began to think about the title, ‘MARCH MADNESS!’ I looked up the word, MAD, in Webster’s Dictionary. It said, “Showing strong liking and enthusiasm: mad about sports.”

I have a question for myself and for you, “As a Christian, am I/are you mad about the Lord?” Do you show a strong liking and enthusiasm about the Lord?

Paul was beside himself and mad about the Lord! Please read the following from Acts 26:12-29.

12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now[a] send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me . 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”

Paul gave us the 3 keys to “Madness” in verse 20:

1. Repent.

2. Turn to God.

3. Do works befitting repentance.

Lord, may our lives show a strong liking and enthusiasm for You! May our lives persuade others to become Christians! Amen!

Walking On Water!

"He walked on the water…to Jesus." Matthew 14:29 NKJV

The disciples were out fishing one night when a huge storm struck. About 3:00 a.m. they were terrified by a figure approaching them on the water. "Immediately Jesus spoke…’Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’…Peter answered…’Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You’…So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water…to Jesus" (v. 27-29 NKJV). This story teaches us:

To experience miracles, you must get out of your comfort zone. Exchange places with Peter. The storm is raging and he’s afraid. The boat’s secure and comfortable—wouldn’t you want to stay there? But you can’t. God designed you to do more than simply avoid failure; He’s calling you to step out in faith and accomplish things. You say, "What’s my boat?" It’s anything you put your faith in when life gets stormy, like a job or a relationship. Your boat is anything that stops you from getting out of your comfort zone. Leaving it is the scariest, but most rewarding step you’ll ever take!

God loves NASCAR!

Trevor Bayne turned 20 on Saturday, then won the Daytona 500 on Sunday (about a 100 to 1 long shot) except in God’s eyes!!! Read the following article!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AhxkQ7CS49eE1WDF92Uz5QPov7YF?slug=ap-nascar-racingstebow

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day! “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” Song of Solomon True love cannot be destroyed, and neither can it be purchased!

FACE THE BOOK 2/9/11

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 A snowflake is one of God’s most fragile creations, but look at what they can do when they stick together! It’s good when the Church dwells together in unity!

FACE THE BOOK 2/7/11

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.” 1 Kings 8:23 God has not forsaken you! He is with you!

The Blessed Life

The Blessed Life with Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Southlake, TX tomorrow at Harvest Fellowship Church in Leedey, OK! The message is titled, “The Principle of Multiplication!” Worship service starts at 10:30a.m.! Everyone is invited! Hope to see you there! It’s gonna be good!

FACE THE BOOK 2/5/11

Proverbs 27:20 NLT says, “Just as death and destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.” Or in other words: Desire is a fire that does not easily expire. SO if you don’t want to long for what’s wrong – choose to delight in what’s right!!! It’s important to remember that “desire” is a motivational force that will fuel your decisions. We cannot leave desires in our hearts for things we want to get out of our lives! Desire is a force. It’s never inactive whether for positive or negative.

FACE THE BOOK 2/3/11

There is only one Scripture in the Bible that mentions the word “exercise.” It is found in 1 Timothy 4:8, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” This verse is a comparative statement. It is comparing physical exercise with spiritual exercise. The physical is temporary, so exercise profits the physical body a little. Spiritual exercise lasts forever. It is eternal. We need both physical and spiritual exercise! Growing Christians know that their spiritual exercise is of more eternal value than their physical exercise, yet they need physical exercise to keep the body functioning at peak efficiency.

FACE THE BOOK 2/2/11

“If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat.” Proverbs 23:2 NLT This is my weight loss scripture!