March 23, 2013: "Who are we encouraging?"
Category: General
Posted by: IDF Minister
Galatians 6:1 (KJV) "Brethren, if a man be over taken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
You know, as I have read this verse, it reminds me that we are to be an
encouragement to one another. However, this is not the case in today's time.
We go day to day not lifting each other up. We go day to day not encouraging
each other. We have allowed the world to dictate how we now act toward one
another.
And even more disturbing is that there is so little encouragement for one
another in the church. How is this, you may ask. Well, there are some who
see themselves as knowing the Bible inside and out and they are so quick to
judge others before they even get to know the person. They do this based off
what they physically see and not spiritually. Then, rumors and talking behind
one's back becomes the norm.
Brothers and sisters that is not the way we are to live among each other.
God wants us to live together in harmony, to be that body of Christ that is
strong. So, before you judge someone by their looks, or even yet, judge them
for what they do or have done, take a look at the person with your spiritual
eyes. You will be surprised as to what you may see.
Think about it, God chose David to be king not by his outward appearance,
nor by what he has done wrong or what he would do wrong. But God chose David
simply by what He knew David would do for the Glory of the Kingdom.
Yes, we are all different, but we need each other to become stronger in the
body of Christ. So, encourage a fellow brother or sister for your
encouragement may be all that is needed to lift them up.
God Bless,
Minister Ferguson
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
You know, as I have read this verse, it reminds me that we are to be an
encouragement to one another. However, this is not the case in today's time.
We go day to day not lifting each other up. We go day to day not encouraging
each other. We have allowed the world to dictate how we now act toward one
another.
And even more disturbing is that there is so little encouragement for one
another in the church. How is this, you may ask. Well, there are some who
see themselves as knowing the Bible inside and out and they are so quick to
judge others before they even get to know the person. They do this based off
what they physically see and not spiritually. Then, rumors and talking behind
one's back becomes the norm.
Brothers and sisters that is not the way we are to live among each other.
God wants us to live together in harmony, to be that body of Christ that is
strong. So, before you judge someone by their looks, or even yet, judge them
for what they do or have done, take a look at the person with your spiritual
eyes. You will be surprised as to what you may see.
Think about it, God chose David to be king not by his outward appearance,
nor by what he has done wrong or what he would do wrong. But God chose David
simply by what He knew David would do for the Glory of the Kingdom.
Yes, we are all different, but we need each other to become stronger in the
body of Christ. So, encourage a fellow brother or sister for your
encouragement may be all that is needed to lift them up.
God Bless,
Minister Ferguson
March 04, 2013: Doing things your way !
Category: General
Posted by: IDF Minister
Don’t get Sidelined ……..NOT!!!!!!
My wife and I were discussing a conversation that I had recently. I was asked a question and thought the situation was handled in a very godly and honest manner. I wasn’t rude, belligerent or condescending but tried to give an answer that conveyed my stance on the matter without compromising my integrity spiritually.
2 Tim 4: 3 says “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
I chose at that moment to take a “WWJD” approach. I gave a wise answer that ceased any further dialogue that might lead to confusion or discord amongst the brethren. It’s so important that our tongues be seasoned with salt so that we are not rendering ourselves ineffective by the enemy.
Satan enjoys putting you on the sideline so that you can’t make the big plays. But if you listen to Coach Holy Spirit you will always stay in the game.
My wife and I were discussing a conversation that I had recently. I was asked a question and thought the situation was handled in a very godly and honest manner. I wasn’t rude, belligerent or condescending but tried to give an answer that conveyed my stance on the matter without compromising my integrity spiritually.
2 Tim 4: 3 says “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
I chose at that moment to take a “WWJD” approach. I gave a wise answer that ceased any further dialogue that might lead to confusion or discord amongst the brethren. It’s so important that our tongues be seasoned with salt so that we are not rendering ourselves ineffective by the enemy.
Satan enjoys putting you on the sideline so that you can’t make the big plays. But if you listen to Coach Holy Spirit you will always stay in the game.
March 04, 2013: What is a Vow ?
Category: General
Posted by: IDF Minister
According to dictionary.com a vow can be defined as the following:
1. a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment: marriage vows; a vow of secrecy.
2. a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service, or condition.
3. a solemn or earnest declaration.
What does a vow mean to you? Some, if not all, make vows (solemn promises, pledges, or personal commitments) during wedding ceremonies but do they keep them? Ruth made a vow (a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service or condition) to Naomi, her mother-in-law but most importantly to God. Take a look at Ruth 1:16-17 (New Living Translation)
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Did Ruth keep this commitment to Naomi and to God? Absolutely, she kept her vow and also became a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Ruth was King David’s great grandmother. Ruth later had a son named Obed with her second husband, Boaz. Obed had a son named Jesse. Jesse was the father of David. What is most interesting was that Ruth, a Moabitess, grew up serving false Gods but she made a decision to follow the one and only True Living God. She decided to leave Moab and go back to Bethlehem- Judah with her mother-in-law Naomi even though as far as the physical eye could see, really had nothing to offer Ruth, made several pleads to Ruth to go back to her family and to her gods. Ruth had married one of Naomi’s two sons. Naomi had lost not only her husband Elimelech, but also both of her sons. Despite all of this, Ruth made this vow (a solemn or earnest declaration) “May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
In conclusion, before making vows consider if you are willing to go the distance to keep. Ruth did and she was so glad about it!
Minster Althea
1. a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment: marriage vows; a vow of secrecy.
2. a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service, or condition.
3. a solemn or earnest declaration.
What does a vow mean to you? Some, if not all, make vows (solemn promises, pledges, or personal commitments) during wedding ceremonies but do they keep them? Ruth made a vow (a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service or condition) to Naomi, her mother-in-law but most importantly to God. Take a look at Ruth 1:16-17 (New Living Translation)
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Did Ruth keep this commitment to Naomi and to God? Absolutely, she kept her vow and also became a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Ruth was King David’s great grandmother. Ruth later had a son named Obed with her second husband, Boaz. Obed had a son named Jesse. Jesse was the father of David. What is most interesting was that Ruth, a Moabitess, grew up serving false Gods but she made a decision to follow the one and only True Living God. She decided to leave Moab and go back to Bethlehem- Judah with her mother-in-law Naomi even though as far as the physical eye could see, really had nothing to offer Ruth, made several pleads to Ruth to go back to her family and to her gods. Ruth had married one of Naomi’s two sons. Naomi had lost not only her husband Elimelech, but also both of her sons. Despite all of this, Ruth made this vow (a solemn or earnest declaration) “May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
In conclusion, before making vows consider if you are willing to go the distance to keep. Ruth did and she was so glad about it!
Minster Althea
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