God, Chisel Me

In our daily lives, we go through so much pain and struggle.  Through trials and tribulation, we forget how important we are to God, and we forget how much God loves us.  We put on the weight of the world more and more each day.  We let the what others say and think about us define who we are.  We neglect to remember who we realy are–who God MADE us to be.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” -Matthew11:29


REMEMBER: You ARE God’s original masterpeice.

“When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be very painful.” -The Skit Guys

PBC Youth Mission Trip: Savannah, GA 2010

Below is a letter regarding a mission trip that the youth from my church and myself are going on.

Dear Friends:

The youth from Philadelphia Baptist Church in Stanfield, NC is sending a mission team back to Savannah, Georgia during the week of July 31 – August 6. We [the youth] are excited to be part of this team again this year! Last year we held Bible School for the adults at the Baptist Center. This year, one of our goals is to team up with another youth group to hosting vacation Bible school for the kids at the Savannah Baptist Center. Our main goal is to reach the children of Savannah for Christ. We will be sharing our faith with the people we meet on the trip.  Also, we are looking forward to reconnecting with those that we met last year.

We are writing to invite you to become a part of our team. There are several ways in which you can:First, you can pray for our team as we prepare for the physical and spiritual labor. Pray that we will share Christ boldly and show everyone we meet His gentleness and love.

  • Also, please pray for the safety of our team and that through this mission trip our team will continually deepen our personal commitment to Christ.
  • Finally, if you would like to help financially support the trip, your help would be greatly appreciated.  To do so, please click here for more information.

We are looking forward to helping others who are less fortunate than us. Thank you, in advance for joining the youth of Philadelphia Baptist Church as we share the love of Jesus with the people of Savannah, Georgia!

-PBC Youth

Who Are You Representing?

In your daily life, who or what are you representing?  Are you representing Christ? Or, are you representing things of the world? People around you are watching what you do and say everyday. The things you say and do affect what people think of you. If everything people see you do or hear you say are negative/bad/perverted things, then they are going to think you are not a good person to be around. If everything people see you do or hear you say are good/positive/loving/caring things, then they are probably going to think of you as being a good role model for others. And, if people hear you say and do good things at one moment and then turn around and say and do negative things, then they will see you as a hypocrite.

No man (or woman) is perfect; no, not one. We all mess up at times. However, we need to remember that people are watching us and listening to what comes out of our mouth.

Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 7: “15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

We are known by the fruits we bear. What kind of fruit do others see you bear?

Are you misleading others by saying that you are a Christian, but change your actions once you walk out of church.

Are you misleading yourself? Read “Message For Church People

Below are a few examples are misrepresenting Christ that I saw on Facebook today.

People post statuses about love and thanksgiving, but then they turn around and post a status that is rude/perverted. They represent Jesus in one post, then represent the darkness of our sinful world in another.

Christianity is not a religion. Religion is “the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith“. Christianity is a lifestyle and a relationship with God. There is no such thing as a part-time Christian. Everything that we watch, hear, do, think, etc defines who we are.

Humans take pleasure is seeing others suffer (especially if they have done wrong to us). In Matthew 18 we find that we are to forgive others. We are to keep no record of the wrong doings of others. We should forgive them. “21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” We are to forgive others no matter how many times they wrong us.

So many times in life we think we can do it all by ourselves. Or, we may think that there is no way that a situation can be changed. At these times we need to ask, “Who am I following?“. Are you following hard after God, or are you chasing something that is worthless? At times, we get caught up in doing our “own thing”. We forget about God; we just push Him out of the picture. But, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” [Matthew 11:28]. He also tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for disater, to give you a future and a hope.” [Jeremiah 29:11]

Oh, P.S. … Satan wrote you a letter … also, Jesus wrote you a letter too!

This is how Jesus changed my life: read here. He can change yours too!


If you would like to talk with me about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then please contact me.


You can also call me and leave me a message.
I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Be sure to leave your name and contact number.

VBS 2010

Two Nights Down…Three to Go!

VBS 2010 has been a blast so far. I am excited to see what God is going to do in the last three nights. Pray that God will use this week to touch the children and their parents.

We are walking through the Bible and learning about the Life of Joseph in Egypt.  Joseph trust God through what he experienced. Following Joseph’s example, we learn how important it is to trust God and believe in God’s timing.

VBS info: http://philadelphiabaptist.com/announcements/111-2010-vacation-bible-school.html

Message For Church People

I have been talking with my friend Jesse through a few Facebook posts about Jude 1:4.  It talks about people in our churches, even today, that twist the Word of God.  They change the truth to make themselves and others feel better.  Jesse states in his blog post that “people in the Church who are using Christ as a get out of hell free card, not as Lord and Savior”.  I fully agree with him.  People try to work there way into heaven, pray their way into heaven, preach their way into heaven, tithe their way into heaven….

“For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” -Jude 1:4

There is no way that we could even be good enough, give enough money, pray enough, or work/serve enough to be able to have eternal life in heaven. It is only by the grace and mercy of God that we can have salvation.  Grace and mercy have two different definitions. Mercy is God withholding what we do deserve, which is death; grace is God giving us what we do not deserve–eternal life in Christ. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8 that “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

In the video below, Nate Pfeil elaborates on this point.

What is your take on this? Do you agree? Comment here

Mormon Stairway to Heaven

The picture below in comical but it tells a great truth…you cannot work you way into Heaven.

So, how do we get into Heaven? Jesus tells us plainly in John 14:1-7:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

It is only by trusting in Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. He can and He will deliver you from all your sins. Just come to Him.

We all have sinned [Romans 3:23]. Because we are sinners, we are destined for Hell; however, if we believe in God and accept His Son, then we can have the free gift of eternal life [Romans 6:23].

We could never be able to work our way into Heaven. The picture above shows people walking up steps–but the steps have no end. They never reach the top. The same goes for trying to work and earn our way into Heaven. Good works alone will not save you.

Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Salvation cannot be bought with worldly currencies. They only way Salvation is possible is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16

Read my testimony.

Total Abandonment

I have a friend, Jon Harris, that is going to be going on an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries. The mission trip is called The World race. In his blog post “A little Broken, A little Blessed “, Jon expresses “I’m scared. I’m afraid. I don’t know if I will get what I need for the race…I cry to God to help me. But I hear no answer. I cry out in tears to Jesus. But no answer. Just peace, encouragement, or simply it will be ok is all I need.” Many times we are called by God to do something for His Kingdom, but then it feels like God steps away and is no longer with us. We feel like Jon does; we feel “scared that through everything I will be left here with nothing, still broken and scared. ALONE” We start to break down within our spirit.

It is in the lowest, darkness times of our life that God is preparing us to do something great! He has to humble us before we surrender everything to Him.

This is what I told Jon, but it goes for everyone of us–no matter what you are going through.

Jon,

Just remember that God said that He would never leave us or forsake us. He will provide our every need. All we have to do is TRUST. We have to trust Him. Trusting means not worrying and not trying to “fix” the situation. Trusting is surrendering yourself and all that you are to God. Total Abandonment! Trusting means not doubting God. When you start doubting God, you start putting limits on what God will do. When you fully rely on God, you place no limits on God, and He is free to move as He KNOWS is right. God is all powerful, and He can do anything that He wants; but humans can limit the work that God does by doubting God.

Lord, I pray for my brother Jon. Lord thank you for the work that you have called him to do abroad. Thank you for saving him and giving him a testimony to share with others. Lord, surround Jon with love and comfort. Give him peace within. Let Him know that “every little thing is going to be alright” just as the song by Delirious says. Lord protect his heart. Help Jon to focus on the work that You have called him to and not on the financial aspect. I pray for funds to flood in for support. I pray that you will take care of the funding, and I trust that you will. I have seen you do it; what is stopping You from doing it again? NOTHING! God I ask that You rise up in power! Cast out any doubt, fear, and brokenness. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus! ~Amen

Jon, Just keep fighting the good fight. Do not back down. Go after God like never before. Do not let a moment in time go by without worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth for His awesomeness! Just keep the faith man!

-matthew

When God seems to be silent and not moving is when He is moving and working the most. The power of God come in the stillness!

Trust God through it all. Divorce, separation, death of a loved one, financial struggles…..nothing it too BIG for God my friend! Only trust Him. Only Trust Him!

Here is the song that I mentioned to Jon:

Every Little Thing

Everything must change
Theres a mirror
showing me the ugly truth
These bones they ache with holy fire
But Ive got nothing to give, just a life to live
If your world is without colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

Every little things gonna be alright
Every little things gonna be alright [x2]

Theres no-one else to blame
I live my life between the fire and the flame
Ive built my house where the ocean meets the land
Its time to live again, pull my dreams out of the sand

Let your world be full of colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

When its all falling down on you
Youre crying out but youre breaking in two
When its all crashing down on you
When theres nothing you can do
There is someone who can carry you

God Bless you all!
-matthew

True Worship

True worship is abandoning the things of this world and not relying on material things and surrendering our lives to God and His perfect Will.

It is only when we live by the Will of God and not our own that we can find peace in the midst of all of the chaos.

Below is a great song called “What If His People Prayed” by Casting Crowns.

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more
What if the Church, for heaven’s sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God’s promise
And stormed hell’s rusty gates

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith, yeah
And turn from their old ways

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way
Chorus II:
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He’ll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray

Bridge:
If My people called by My name
If they’ll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they’ll humble themselves and pray

Choruses:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah
And turn from their old ways
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He’ll answer loud and clear yeah
If only we would pray

Many times we all look to someone besides God.  We may look to ourselves, family, friends, or even Oprah.  We need to “seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” [Matthew 6:33].  Prayer is an important factor in living a Godly life.  It is the very connection between the created and the Creator Almighty God.

Let’s draw near to God in this new year and ask what He would have us do.  He will never forsake you.  Only trust and obey.  It is that simple.  Do not let your fleshly desires get in the way; when that happens you start to limit what God can do.  Seek only His will and that is when God has no limit!

New Year 2010

As we ring in the new year, lets not forget the work that God has called us to.  Lets not get caught up in our own desires like the people in Haggai chapter 1.  They started building the temple but soon went to building their own houses.

In 2010, lets start off right doing Gods work, but like keep at it!  Do not give up!  If you are faithful, God will keep is promises.  God will not ever leave you nor forsake you; do not forsake God.  Stay true to your first love.  We do not want Jesus to say to us what He said to the church of Ephesus: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” -Revelation 2:4

1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.”’”
3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple[a]to lie in ruins?” 5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!
6 “ You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

7 Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD. 9You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the LORD of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

I pray that you all will have a safe and blessed New Year.  God bless you all!

Selah,
-matthew