Saved by Grace Ministries

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:15-20 NIV

Church membership is unbiblical. There, I said it. In the early church, there wasn't any church buildings nor a single list of who is a member at. The met house to house, in jails, hills and in the temples. Also, during that time, in our reading today that in our church where two or three who are gathered in Christ's name, Christ is with us. While we do that, we hold each other accountable for sins committed. Let's be the church fully and not be an organization. Amen.

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24 ESV

We live in a world where it's very materialistic. We all gotta have the next big thing. Maybe it's having that car you've always wanted, a bigger house, the newest iPhone, or have the salary of an NFL player. We all want the next big thing. In our text today, Jesus paints us the picture where we can be focused on one, and forget about other. In Luke 12, Jesus shows us the dangers of having all these things through wealth. He taught that if we don't use the resources like our wealth or other resources, we'd be a fool. The question is, whom do your serve? Do you serve your wealth and your possessions? Or, do you serve God whom gave you these resources?

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:8-11 NIV

In today's society, it is pretty common that we are busy. Between jobs, school, sports, kids, etc. In our text today, we are in Exodus 20 where Moses got the Ten Commandments from God. By the Commandments, it's what God commands us to do. Rest in Him. Worship, relax! Save your work for the next day. Once you do, work will be smoother. Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, have a blessed week.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

This morning, I've been pondering this passage as I'm listening to a song from my playlist and it has me thinking. In today's day and age, we try to do our own will instead of God's will and we always crash and burn, right? When we give it to God, we hear God's authority more clearly and things fall into place. So, this week, I'd like to offer up a challenge. Give all of your thoughts and control to God and have Him take care of the rest. Have a wonderful week in the Lord everyone!

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV

In my time in the ministry, one common objection I've always heard that 1. The Bible is just a book and 2. The Bible is written only by mere man. In our text today, those objections are debunked. First off, the Bible has been proven by archeologists that found scrolls dating back to the time of Jesus and secondly, if the Bible is written by mere men, then why does it go against man's standards? With all that it's been predicted, it's shown up, including in today's generation. So next time really dig in.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes, and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go and visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:35-40 NIV

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. James 2:19 NIV

The last couple of weeks, I've been hit by a question that I heard in a sermon by my pastors and I've been pondering it since then. The question is, "Do you believe in God or do you follow God?" That's hit me like a bunch of bricks because I never thought of that. So, my question is, do you believe in God or do you follow Him? Today's world, many jump in and say they believe in God, but yet, their actions says something else. In our readings today, let's look at our reading from the book of James. James here paints the picture that if we believe in one God, it's good, but even demons, including Satan believes in God, but shudder because God already defeated them and doesn't like how good He is. Many say they believe in God, but don't follow Him because it's not convenient or interrupts their sinful lifestyles. Now, our reading in Matthew. Many people say they believe and follow Christ and does exactly what that passage says. Christ Himself is a cheerful giver to those who are in need. Let's put this into today's terms. If we see a single mom struggling, it is right to help her with support such as food, necessities for her and her kids and so much more. So, I ask again, do you believe in God, or do you follow God?

Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me. Song of Solomon 3:4 NIV

Last night, I've had the honor of going to a double wedding for a couple of friends. I saw God at work through the whole time. In our reading today from Song of Solomon, we learn that love is God's promise for all of us. When we find the love God provided us with, our parents give that blessing. I myself couldn't say that yet since I haven't found her yet. Never lose hope ln love, brothers and sisters in Christ. Have a blessed Monday.

Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

Happy Sunday, everyone. Yesterday afternoon, I've hand an encounter at a thrift store and saw a dear friend I haven't seen in forever. During this conversation, they've mentioned that they lost their home in the tornado this past July and is just devastated. They mentioned that this passage of Scripture was actually written on this wall. Which I was blown away. If we think about it, this life we can have all the wonderful things in the world, such as a great church community, nice cars, nice homes, etc., but Christ reminds us the peace He gives us is not of this world, it's from Him and reminds us that our hearts shouldn't be in trouble or afraid. Maybe that resonates with you. What's bothering you? How's has Christ given you comfort? I'd love to talk to you guys. God's blessings on this Sunday.

"Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three people are gathered in my name, there I am among them." Matthew 18:19-20 ESV

What is church? Ask ten people and you'll get ten different answers. Oftenly, the answers I get is normally a building we go too every Sunday. That's the furthest from the truth. In our reading this evening, Jesus tells us that if we are gathered together in His very name, He is with us. In the early church, if you read from the book of Acts to Philemon, you'd see that they didn't meet in church buildings. They'd gathered everywhere. So, brothers and sisters in Christ, let's meet together and be the church. Amen.

An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. Proverbs 18:1-2 NIV

As i talked about yesterday about church hurt, another reason why people may get hurt by the church is by people who claim to be a representation of Christ, but they're the exact opposite of the likeliness of Christ Himself. They may talk down on people, talk behind people's back and make it seem their own opinions are better than what Christ taught and said. That's why we as the church to walk and serve like Christ instead of bringing people down. Amen.