The greatest mistake you can make in life is continually fearing that you’ll make one.

                                                                                  — Elbert Hubbard

Fear of:

One of the worst fears people deal with is the fear of failure. Fear of failure is really fear of change and of what others may think of you. This fear limits us, our opportunities, and our growth and progress in life. Without mistakes we wouldn’t ever learn and grow.

Inevitability of:

It’s not that we want to make mistakes: it’s the reality we all will. They are inevitable. They will happen. What we need to be able to do is to recover from them. A doctor told me that after a workout what determines what kind of shape you’re in is how quickly you recover — your recovery time. In life what is your recovery time from making a mistake? So many don’t attempt much in their lives because they are afraid of making a mistake. Everyone God ever used in the Bible blew it at some point. As Christians we think we have to be perfect to serve the Lord, to honor Him. This is simply not true.

Power of:

We just have to be willing to learn from our mistakes and keep on moving forward. Let’s not keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Failure is an event, not a destiny. Failure is not final. It happens to all of us.

Let’s learn how to overcome and never see failure as our enemy. Look at it and be thankful that we are growing and learning and becoming more like God.

Just a thought,

PSS

On Friday we celebrated what we call Good Friday.

One day:

Good Friday is the celebration of the crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross. It is the day Jesus willingly gave His life for us — anyone who would choose to accept Him as their Lord and Savior. It was a great day for humanity. Without His sacrifice we would all be separated from God forever. It was a great day for all of God’s creation. It is called redemption.

One savior:

Then on Sunday we celebrate His resurrection from the dead — that He died but was raised from the dead. Because of His resurrection we, anyone who chooses to believe on Him, can have eternal life and a real relationship with the Father — the only one and true God. Now we can be saved, for anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Anyone! It is a gift God gave to His creation. We are all His creation, but only those who call on the name of Jesus, repent from their sins, and purpose to follow Him will be saved — not by their works, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus.

One eternity:

We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Because of His sacrifice on Friday and His resurrection on Sunday, anyone who chooses to call on His name shall be saved. The power of one decision — it can change your life for eternity.

Let’s choose life, choose Jesus.

Just a thought,

PSS

Some people are so ashamed of their actions that they can’t bring themselves to tell anyone their secret. The result is the worst kind of guilt that festers inside with no chance for relief. This is called unforgiveness of self. 

Forgive yourself:

Sometimes it is very difficult to forgive yourself for things you have done. It is the worst kind of unforgiveness. I believe it is easier to forgive someone else at times than it is to forgive ourselves. But we all need to find a way to forgive ourselves. The thing we must realize is that if God has forgiven us, then we are forgiven; and we must constantly remind ourselves of this truth. 

Let the past be past:

Maybe you write down what you have done and, after you have done that and prayed, burn it or shred it. So many are so incredibly hard on themselves. It’s constantly living a cycle of disappointment for the things you have done. It seems endless. I’ve heard it referred to as the obnoxious roommate who takes away your self-esteem. It reminds you of the things you have said about yourself that are negative and wrong. 

Allow yourself to be imperfect:

What we have to remember is that no one is perfect — we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We need to remind ourselves of what 1 John 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is a good God and wants to help us, never harm us. 

So, let’s kick out that obnoxious roommate of unforgiveness and replace him with one of peace and forgiveness.

Just a thought,

PSS

In our everyday lives we will encounter moments or situations that will need to be dealt with. In other words, we may need to confront some issue with someone to resolve some dispute or a disagreement.

Definition:

The word confront is defined: to come face-to-face with, especially with defiance or hostility: to come against: encounter: to face, especially in challenge: to cause to meet: bring face-to-face. Get the picture? To confront means I’m going to come face-to-face with someone to deal with an issue.

Don’t be a peacekeeper:

In our society people have come up with this notion, “Better to leave alone than to confront. I don’t want to start a problem.” The problem is, nothing will ever get resolved. There will be conflict constantly. I believe it’s better to deal with stuff than to keep packing hurts, disappointments, and lack of understanding away, and trying to manage it emotionally.

Be a peacemaker:

Confrontation is good when done in a proper manner. Don’t do it in anger; if you do, the person or persons you are confronting will see your anger, and will not see the issue. Be willing to see the other side. Sometimes we deal with things from our perspective, but when we hear the other side, understanding can come. Know that just because we think something, doesn’t mean that’s always 100% the way it is. Don’t work to be right as much as you work to resolve. Look for places to find agreement.

Remember: confrontation done in the right way, with a proper perspective, is always good.

Just a thought,

PSS

Serve God with Fastings and Prayers

As we begin our churchwide time of praying and fasting, I want to encourage you that whatever fast you do, finish it, complete it. 

Fleshly appetites:

If this were easy on our flesh, then everyone would do it a lot more. If you have never fasted, it will amaze you how strong our fleshly appetites are — how much of a struggle it is to deny these fleshly appetites. It will take discipline, will power, and God’s Holy Spirit to help you. Push through; don’t give up. 

The bread of life:

The Bible says we don’t live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The word of God will sustain you. So, while you are fasting, spend time — extra time — in prayer and reading your Bible. 

To him that believeth:

Believe for something in your personal life — maybe a breakthrough in an area, maybe for a family member, maybe you need the wisdom of God. But believe for God to do something in your personal life. Then pray and believe for God’s Church (Legacy Church) to thrive and grow and reach more and more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ — that the lost would come in, that our church finances would increase so we can continue to expand His Church, making more and more room for the harvest of souls that He is sending us. Let’s believe God together for great things to happen in our personal lives, for the Church, and for our city. 

Remember: finish it, no matter what. Push through and watch God move in your lives.

Just a thought,

PSS