Thanksgiving spill out!

Colossians 2:6,7 - My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

We have so much to be thankful for. As we live our life with Jesus thanksgiving should just be spilling out of us! It should not be something that only happens around a holiday! We should be living everyday with an attitude of gratitude! Think of all you have to be grateful for. Focus on what you can be thankful for today and watch how much better your day will turn out!

Psalm 100:4 (Message) - Enter with the password "Thank You"

Evergreen Youth Music and Voice Lessons

LOVE - No Matter What!

Luke 6:27-36

How to respond to hurt:

1. Love your enemies

2. Do good to those who hate you

3. Bless those who curse you

4. Pray for those who hurt you

5. Give generously

6. Don’t get even

7. Treat people like you want to be treated (not the way they treat you)

8. Follow Gods example

You will reap what you sow, so as you give love, respect, honor etc. you will get it back as well.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Take the Opportunity

Take the opportunity

Acts 3:1-26

Peter saw that the crowds were amazed so he took the opportunity to share the Good News with them!

Prayer

leads to

Power

which leads to

Boldness

which leads to

Miraculous

which leads to

Amazement

which leads to

Opportunity

Then its your choice to take the opportunity to share the good news

Who are you calling?

Luke 18:35-43 - As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!” And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

The Blind Beggar:

1. Realized Jesus was close

2. Called out to Him

3. Did not care what others thought

4. Got a response from Jesus

5. Received what he was in need of

6. Began to praise God

7. Made an impact on those around him

Just like the beggar in this story did we need to do the same when we face difficulty or when we have a need.

1. Realize Jesus is with us (He never leaves)

2. Call out to him (He hears us and answers us)

3. Don't listen to the "voices" that try to stop us (stay consistent)

4. Remember the Word says when you cry out to Him he will be with you and rescue you (Psalm 91:15)

5. Receive whatever it is you need (wisdom, strength, healing)

6. Praise God for it and continue to follow after Him

7. Watch how it spill over to others rejoicing as well.

This is the ticket! Just remember God is with you and He promises to meet your need!!!

Evergreen is Awesome!

We love Evergreen!!!!!!!!

I had the privilege of speaking at church this past Sunday. I spoke on the importance of living in peace! Here are my notes and a link to the message!

Get Planted

Isaiah 9:6 – Peace has a source
Isaiah 26:3 – Put your mind on Him

Grow Strong

Philippians 4:6-7 – Eliminate fear and worry
1 Peter 5:8 – Always stay alert
Colossians 3:15 – Choose to live in Peace (John 14:27 & John 14:1)

Branch Out

Mark 4:26-29 – Expect peace to grow (Galatians 6:9) 

You can listen to this online @ www.branchchurch.org

Speak out!

Acts 18:9,10 - One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”

It is time to go to a new level in my walk with God! When I read this I felt as if the Lord was speaking directly to me! Scott, It's time to let your life and your words speak out more than ever before! Don't be afraid of what people think about you, don't worry about how they will receive what you say, just be obedient to my Word. No more being silent. It is time for the body of Christ to stand up like never before and stand strong on the Word of God. My hope is in Him. I am trusting in His economy. I am not going to fall into worry or fear about anything. People will know what I believe by watching me live my life and by hearing the words that come from my mouth. I want to encourage everyone to do the same! Let's really live this. Lets NEVER stop growing!

Check it out yourself

Acts 17:11 (NLT) - And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

When I read this passage today I began to think about the times when I would listen to a speaker or a preacher and just take what they said and run with it. I understand now though that sometimes those people may be wrong or may just be sharing their opinion. That is why I think we should do, just as the people of Berea did, and look for ourselves in the scripture to make sure what we are being taught lines up with the Word of God. I know even for me as a pastor I dont want people to just run with what I say unless it lines up with scripture. I think thats why I want people to follow Jesus not me, because I can make mistakes. We need to find out for ourselves what Gods Word say about us and how to live our life. The messages or sermons we here should just reinforce what we are already learning from our own time with God. Let me say this - We should all be sitting under some good teaching from the Word, but lets dont just let that be all we do, lets get in it ourself. You are ultimately in control of your life, so make the decision today to make your walk with God the highest priority, Then decide to take everything you here from others and line it up with the Word. If it lines up - Go for it! If it doesn't - pitch it! If you make the decision to go for it in your walk with God, you will never regret it!!

God will make a way!

Acts 12:5-10 - But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. Peter’s Miraculous Escape from Prison. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

When I read this yesterday I realized the importance of praying for one another. The church prayed for Peter and Peter was rescued. Can you imagine being in prison and you have 16 guards assigned to watch over you before you go to trial. Then on the night before your trial an angel wakes you up and basically says "Get up and get dressed we are gettin outta here". Then you walk right out unseen by anyone. Thats cool! It is amzing to me and it bring me confidence to know that God will make a way where there seems to be no way. It would have seemed to be impossible for Peter to get out of there with all the guards looking over him, yet it was possible. With God all things are possible! So no matter what you are facing or what you are going through let me tell you that the Word shows us that there is a way out and God will lead you in that way! So dont give up! Ps. 77:19 says Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters— a pathway no one knew was there!
You may not be able to see it right now, but there is a path for you! Stand strong, God is on your side!