GC Ministry

Thankful for Trials

RevCollins — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:22:41 +0000

Most of us find it very easy to be thankful for the good times in our lives. We can be thankful and upbeat when things are going well.

It is during the trials of life that we find it the hardest to be thankful. Not many of us can be found saying praise God that I don’t know how I am going to pay my electric bill. Yet, it is during these very times in life when our faith can grow the strongest.

Join us for today’s message as we explore the reasons for thankfulness in trying times.

Thankful for trials.

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Do You Have Faith

Steven Lloyd — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:01:21 +0000

Today, I welcome a young new minister to GCMinistry.com. I hope you enjoy the message as my friend Steven Michael Lloyd shares “Do You Have Faith?”

What do you think?

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Soul Watchers

RevCollins — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:19:43 +0000

via takomabibelot

I was at work the other day thumbing through a co-workers copy of Weight Watchers magazine. I stumbled across an article about successful dieters who use the word don’t vs. can’t.

The article explained that dieters who chose to use the term “I don’t want….” are far more successful in their weight loss goals then those who use “I can’t have….” The former statement is one of empowerment and does not leave the person feeling deprived or missing out.

That made me think. What if we as Christians chose to say don’t instead if can’t? The phrase I don’t want to scream at the car in front of me instead of I can’t. Maybe our attitudes would change as well.

What do you think? Is this something you could see working?

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Do You Love God or Religion?

RevCollins — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:15:03 +0000

On August 5th, 2012 I had the privilege to be the guest speaker at Breath of Life AG in West Carrollton, OH. This is my home church and I thank Pastor Michael Leatherberry for the opportunity.

Are you really in love with God? I mean really in love. Too many Christians today find themselves in a mundane rut of attending services, bible reading, and prayer out of a sense of obligation. If that is you, this message will remind you of the true depth of God’s unending love.

You are sure to discover a new passion and joy in your Christian walk. I hope you enjoy the message.

Please take a moment and share your thoughts with me. Did God speak to you? I would love to know what you and your beloved discussed.

Do You Truly Love God?

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Egyptian Faith Leads to Salvation

RevCollins — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: (Exodus 9:20 KJV)

The Egyptians Face The One True God

God has just informed Pharaoh through Moses that He is going bring a devastating hail storm on the Egyptians. They were warned that all servants and cattle left outside would be killed. The Egyptians had already experienced six plaques brought by God.

There are now servants that have seen what God says is a promise. They may not fully understand who this God of Israel is, but they know He follows through. When Moses says they are in danger; they act to keep their possessions.

The Egyptians Take Action

They have had a real encounter with the power and size of the God of Israel that brings about life changing actions. They no longer have just a head knowledge of God. They have a heart knowledge of God. their faith in the God of Israel has brought them to action. They don’t just believe in God. They believe God.

God Honors Those Who Respond

That is the type of faith that is pleasing to God.He is not looking for a people who know Him intellectually only. He is seeking out those who will move beyond the knowledge that God exists and that He has given commands for living your life.

He is searching for those who make those principles real enough to act on them. He wants you and I to actually show our faith by being obedient to His commands. He wants us to want to please Him out of a deep love versus a deep obligation. God wants you to obey Him because you believe He wants the best for you.

Will you be like the Egyptian servants and listen to what God says?

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David’s Zeal For God

RevCollins — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:17:06 +0000

Some rights reserved by Fried Dough

Jehovah will deliver you into my hand today, and I will strike you and take your head from you and give the bodies of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the air today, and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Samuel 17:46

David Arrives To Visit His Brothers

David has come on a mission for his father , Jessie, to bring a gift of food to his brothers. When he arrives on scene, he is met with a chilling scene. The army of God is hiding from the challenge of the Philistine champion, Goliath. David can not believe what he is seeing. The Philistine army is challenging the authority and place of Jehovah. Instead of faith in the awesome, unmeasurable power of the living God, they are in fear of the power of the Philistine armies. David decides this is utterly unacceptable.

David Stands Up For Jehovah

David stands firm in the knowledge that Jehovah will always prevail over His enemies. He decides that he will do the unthinkable and stand for God by facing the giant. He can not allow this defamation of the holy name of aged to continue any longer.

The scene must have looked almost comical to the human eye. A teenager is standing without sword, shield, or armor. His only weapons are a shepherd staff and sling. His opponent stands feet above him with a full armor, sword, and shield-bearer. The odds appeared to be highly in Goliath’s favor.

God Stands Up for David

Goliath himself was so full of pride and confidence in his gods that he scoffs at the runt that has come to face him. He is sure that he will squash this puny boy and his god. He goes so far as to curse David in the name of his gods.

That is the last straw for David. No one is going to defile the honor and reputation of his god. I can see the fire in his eyes as he utters the words above to Goliath. His zeal and passion for God have overcome him. He understands this battle is between God and Satan. He knows that God will appear to defend His name just as he always has. He runs at Goliath with his sling and fires. A Direct hit! Goliath is defeated and the army of God is roused to action. Their fear is subsided by the mighty act of God.

How about you? Are you passionate about defending the holy, honorable, wonderful name of God? Does your blood boil when Satan’s challenge to the authority of God is met with fear and trepidation?

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California Pastor Arrested for Reading The Bible in Public

RevCollins — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:28:20 +0000

Hemet California Pastor, Mark Mackey of Calvary Chapel was arrested Feb.2, 2012 for reading Romans 1 outside the DMV office. Pastor Mackey was first asked to leave by a security officer shortly after he began reading the bible passage to those standing in line waiting for the office to open.

A short time later, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer arrives to arrest Pastor Mackey. When questioned why he is being arrested the officer states that he [Mackey] was asked to leave and didn’t. The officer later states it was because the minister was preaching to a captive audience.

The officer then turns his attention to the two individuals accompanying pastor Mackey. They are asked to leave and are never given an answer to their question of what law they are breaking if they continue to “preach” at the DMV.

The First Amendment Rights Allegedly Violated

The biggest issue here is the First Amendment right granted by the U.S. Constitution to Free Speech. There is an ongoing debate over whether this incident is a violation of that right. The main problem arises from the fact the listeners allegedly had no ability to leave the area. This would in fact make them a captive audience.

Troubling Facts of The Situation

There are a few points that concern me about this situation.

The officer does not seem willing or able to give an answer to what statute they are breaking
There is question about the fact the pastor or church may have been informed before they would need a permit to preach.

Should We Always Enforce Our Rights?

If you believe the pastor did have a constitutional right to preach, do you believe it was wise? I am not convinced this matter was the best way to share the gospel.

This is not the same as a park or courthouse. In those situations, the people could leave if they wanted to. Here, the listeners were forced to stay in a way of speaking by the necessity to perform their business with the DMV.

Finally, if indeed he was informed previously of the need for a permit, why not fight that stipulation and respect the government while waiting?

What do you think?

Wise choice of venue?
Were his rights violated?
Should he have left when asked by security?
Were they antagonistic?

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Full Moon Christian-Guest Post for Rev Trev

RevCollins — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:28:27 +0000

Have you ever looked up into the night sky and observed the splendor of a full moon? The glow of the moon can light up the darkest of nights. There is something about the full moon that makes you look up. Yet, have you ever really thought about the moon?

That is the subject of my guest post today at RevTrev.com. I hope you will stop by and check it out.

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Predestination Viewpoint

RevCollins — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:00:29 +0000

Has God Already Chosen?

A while ago, a good friend of mine asked for my opinion on predestination. Well, here it is.

There are two main thought groups when it comes to predestination:

Both theories have been debated and discussed for centuries. Both have different theories within the theories. The two main general differences between them exist on the subject of free will. Arminian theology believes heavily that humanity has the choice to choose God or not. Calvinist theology believes that God has chosen you (or not chosen) and you are powerless to override.

I see three main overall viewpoints

You have no choices-Your life is a straight line.
You have choices-God has pre planed your response
You have choices-God has a preferred plan.

Your Life Is A Straight Line

This view sees you life a straight line. You have no real choices. God has planned your entire life before you were even born. You have no real chance to make a choice. Your fate is even predetermined.

This line of thought seems to fly in the very face of free will. If your life is so laid out, what is the point? Why even exist? I think this viewpoint is very flawed.

God Has Preplanned Your Responses.

This line of thinking is a step up from the above. It acknowledges that you have choices, but you still have no control. God has created you with a known response to all your choices. You have no real ability to choose.

Again, I don’t see how this allows for free will. This raises the same questions as number one. It just has a few less flaws

God Has A Preferred Plan.

This view allows you to have real choices. Within those choices, God has a predestined plan for your life. This is His perfect plan and will for your life.

This also fits more in line with the grandeur of God in my opinion. God knows all your choices, what each choice will lead to, and how to create the best life within all those.

Think more like a GPS. It analyzes each road and route and spits out the best route. If you hit traffic, it can reroute with ease.

There you have my opinion. What is your viewpoint?

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