The Righteous Man Doing It Right, Morning Briefing, 3.12.13

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Roots are incredible creations of God. You don't have to look any farther than the Lowcountry's Live Oak. There is nothing that can survive the elements and storms better. There is no wood that makes better ships. There is nothing more beautiful than our evergreen Live Oak. What is one of it's greatest assets? Roots.

In the same way, roots make a man mighty like an oak or wimpy like a weed. How we nourish those roots determine what kind of man we will be.

What makes a Righteous Man immoveable in afflictions and temptations?

It is our roots that quench our thirst us in the dry times. Roots store our food when we need it for growth. Roots keep us stable when the storms of life blow. It is our roots that not only feed life into us, but actually make us who we are. Who hasn't pulled out a chainsaw and cut a tree to the ground only to have it spring back as the same tree...over and over again? Why does it do that? ROOTS.

Here's what Proverbs 12 tells us about a root system that defines and develops the righteous man.

Our roots of righteousness are all about our...

• Thought life (v. 5)

We are defined by what we think about, men. You don't do one single thing without thinking about it first. It is why we must bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 COR. 10:3-5)

• Speech (v. 6)

Words tell us what's really in our heart. Yesterday, I said something inappropriate from my old way of living. Did I beat myself up? Well, a little. But, it was a check for my heart. What's really in there? Am I as righteous as I thought I was? Obviously not. Speech should be an outward checklist of the heart's true motives, beliefs, cleanliness, and desires. What do your words say about you?

• Fruit production (v. 12)

This is obvious, but wise Solomon knew it needed to be said. When your roots are deep in God's ways and righteousness, the fruit of our lives will produce righteousness that will not only feed others, but also spread seed when they eat it. Fruit is about reproducing the plant. Why are apples red, bananas yellow, and oranges, well, orange? To attract the animals that eat them. Once they eat, they spread the seed and reproduce the plant in other places. Righteousness produces righteousness. Evil produces evil. What is the fruit of your life?

• Truth speech (v. 17)

Many times truth is hard to share. We think it will hurt others. We think it will make us look weird. We even think it will get us in trouble (probably left over from our childhood when we did everything we could to avoid punishment). But, truth makes our life worth living. Jesus defined Himself as the Truth. Our lives and words should do the same.

• Disaster avoidance (v. 21)

Here's a great benefit, disaster avoidance. When our roots go deep, the winds will come, the water will rise, the fires will burn, but our roots will bring us back for another go at it. Interestingly enough, when we think of disaster, we think of getting out of its way, yet God knows that we rarely avoid disaster, we mostly endure it. Roots keep us where we are to grow back into a consistent, anchored, resilient, strong man. Is it any wonder the Lord tells us that "he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water" (Ps. 1:3)?

• People skills (v. 26)

Roots even helps get along with other people. When we are rooted in God we will know what matters most, God and people. Our relationships with others will be determined by our righteous lives. People that can't get along are not considered good people, but divisive and hard. Righteous roots develop skills in us men to have better relationships with our wives, our children, our friends, our employees, and even our bosses.

• Life Path (v. 28)

Finally, righteousness guides us on the path of real life. This is not the kind of life that wakes up with regrets, guilt, and fear because of what you did the night before. Righteous roots direct us to the right things even when our buddies at work are all pressuring us to go the wrong way. It is our roots that keep us planted and living in the right activities, thoughts, and words. Your roots will determine your path in life. Make sure they are not only deep, but fed with the right nutrition. The soil the tree is planted in will determine whether or not you make it, men. Get rooted in the soil of righteousness found only in Christ.

Men, this is your morning briefing. That is all.

Trey Rhodes

 

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Winds of War

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Original Headline from the Korean War circa 1952

Just in the last few hours, the United States has been threatened with a pre-emptive strike by the North Korean government of Kim Jung Un. We can only hope that the president and our nation's state department will avert such a hideous outcome as that. War is a serious thing. We must pray for our nation that we will have the wisdom to know what to do to stop this horror before it happens.

Not only is our nation being threatened with war, so are families that adhere to the Bible as their source. We have just finished our series at Oceanside that has to do with the Modern Family. Using the 21st Century Family as our standard, we found that the Bible still works as it has for thousands of years. Our families have fallen apart only since the philosophies of Dr. Benjamin Spock and Dr. Joyce Brothers have taken hold in our society since WWII. These family values were a shot across the bow of many believer's families. Instead of standing and fighting, many laid down and surrendered. The consequences are evident nearly everywhere we look. Some of these statistics in the narration are shocking.

This week, I read a portion of Point Man by Steve Farrar to my daughter Addie. Somehow in my mind, I thought I had already shared that portion of the book to nearly everyone. So, I decided that I would narrate that part of the book with pictures, sound effects, and background music from the movie We Were Soldiers and place it online for any and all to hear. It only takes a few minutes to listen to and it should bring tears to your eyes when you realize the importance and dangers of leading our families. This is our very own culture that is downright hostile to the biblical American family.

I present to you The War on the Biblical Family:

Let's take it to those who would want to destroy our Bible loving families. Start in your own home.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

What's Happening at Oceanside Church...

Men's Morning Briefing - Beginning Tuesday, March 11, Oceanside's men are meeting at Troubadours Coffee in Mount Pleasant. We will encourage, pray, and discuss the Bible and get our briefing on. See you at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

Daylight Savings Time This Sunday - Watch this humorous video and pass it around. Set your clocks ahead 1 hour and see you at Oceanside Church.

Candlelight Service - Sunday Night, March 24, 2013 7 p.m. Join us as we act out the last supper and participate in this traditional and simple service. this will prepare you to seek The Lord as never before.

Easter Sunday - Nearly 80% of the USA go to church on Easter Sunday. Be sure and invite people to our exciting Easter Sunday service. Easter is early this year. It is on Sunday, March 31st.

 

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Change

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The Dead Sea

As difficult as it might be, change is not only inevitable, it is also necessary. There is only One who cannot change. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In addition, change can bring growth in both our personal lives as well as our spiritual lives. One of the principles of growth is that you must change. Otherwise stagantion, then stink, then death settles in.

Fishing in the Sea of Galilee

There are two major seas in Israel: the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Although both are fed by the Jordan River, they couldn't be any different. The Sea of Galilee has produced prosperity for thousands of years for fishermen and farmers alike. The Dead Sea is, well, dead. There are no fish and no way to use the water for anything other than a short swim. What's the difference? The Jordan river flows through the Sea of Galilee allowing for the water to change continually. The Jordan River ends at the Dead Sea and there is no exchange of water that is necessary for life. You see, the saline content is so high in the Dead Sea, that it is all but impossible to go under water when swimming; you merely float on top. That's the fun part. But the fun comes with a cost, nothing can live in that sea. No fish, no sea creatures, no plants.

The Dead Sea can picture for us our lives without change. Our lives without change would be good for nothing, but floating on top...and thats what dead bodies do!

However, the Sea of Galilee changes constantly. To which Jesus writes:

"The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” (John 7:38 HCSB)

It is change that causes us to grow and to thrive and to be purified. That means that change, as much as it hurts, is good. It is what life is made of. Stagnation reeks of the smell of death.

Oceanside is at a time of great change. I believe with all my heart, that means that we are in store for an incredible infusion of life into our fellowship. God is going to bring people. He is going mature us. He is gong to develop us. He is going to expand our influence. Remember, some plant, some water, but God gives the increase. That increase is coming as we are changed into the church God wants us to be.

Are you ready for God to do great things in your life? in your family? in our church? Then... change.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

 

We need YOUR help with the NEW OC Website - It's the same address, www.MyOceansideChurch.com, but we need you all to search for it multiple times on Google so we can get the count up and move up to the first page like we used to be. THANK YOU!!

New Sermon Series The Cross Was Enough begins Sunday, March 10. The Cross has such power that it is enough to save ALL that come. Plan to attend every exciting service at Oceanside Church.

Palm Sunday Candlelight Service - We will partake of the Lord's Supper together as we remember Jesus' final supper with His disciples. Sunday Night, March 24th, 2013, 7 p.m.

 

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You Can't Make a Horse Drink, but You Can Salt His Oats

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Horses are obstinate. I speak from much expereince. you see, I rode them for many years when I was younger. We learned to ride, saddle, bathe, and generally take care of them. One of the most difficult things I learned to do was cleaning the mud and dirt out of their hooves. Here's how i learned to do it. You placed your shoulder under the front shoulder of the horse, which him to shift weight off the hoof. Then as you straddled his leg, you lifted his hoof off the ground which exposed the bottom of his hoof. You then used a hoof pick. You gently cleaned his hoof, Then repeated this with every hoof each time you rode. Only it wasn't as easy as that. Inevitably, the horse had another plan rather than having his hooves cleaned. He would much rather eat, rest, run the pasture, and a host of other things. Besides that, he can push his 1000 pounds of weight on a 120 pound teenager. It was a wrestling match. I was knocked down, stepped on, bitten, kicked, and spit on. Yeah, you can lead a horse to water, but you sure can't make him drink. Why? Horses are obstinate.

But that never happened with Dan. We called him Dan the man. He took control and finessed that horse to raise his hoof and allow his hoof to be cleaned with no problem. What took me an hour to do, he did in about 5 minutes. He was, after all, Dan the man. What was the difference? He had developed a skill that made it look easy, even when dealing with an obstinate horse.
While I'm not saying that all men are obstinate, I am saying that there are skills to learn to deal when dealing with them. There are skills that can help you teach them to improve your relationship and your family. it can help with dealing with men at your place of work and at school and really with nearly anyone...even obstinate people. You see when you want a horse to drink some water, you can't make him...but you sure can salt his oats. That's where the skill comes in.
The Bible teaches us to salt our speech. You can find these words in the letter to the church in Colosse:

Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person. (Colossians 4:6, HCSB)

We are given the exhortation to craft our words so they are seasoned and gracious. That is how we can make teachable moments with those we love. How does that work? Just like salting the oats of a horse can him drink water, as obstinate as they are. Salting our speech can also develop a thirst in the person who needs to be influenced so that they can learn to do the right thing as well.
The bushmen in the Kalahari desert have an ingenious way of finding water. It involves salt and baboons. Here's a video that explains it much better than I ever could.

That is the way we want people to,respond to us...not with accusation and force, but with finesse and ingenuity. That's what salting is all about. If you would like to know how you can influence others for their best, here is a worksheet you can download and use that I adapted from Gary Smalley's book Hidden Keys to a Loving Lasting Marriage.
Keep the salt handy!
Pastor Trey Rhodes

Pastor Ivey's Final Sunday at Oceanside Church - Pastor Ivey will be preaching, we will have a special video presentation, and a commisioning service. Also plan to give to his scholarship fund which will go to his Southeastern Seminary tuition.

Dinner on the Grounds Honoring Pastor Ivey and Allie - Bring a side and/or dessert. We'll do the rest. Let's send Pastor ivey and his family off with a great time of fellowship and encouragement.

We need YOUR help with the NEW OC Website - It's the same address, www.MyOceansideChurch.com, but we need you all to search for it multiple times on Google so we can get the count up and move up to the first page like we used to be. THANK YOU!!

New Sermon Series The Cross Was Enough begins Sunday, March 10. The Cross has such power that it is enough to save ALL that come. Plan to attend every exciting service at Oceanside Church.

Palm Sunday Candlelight Service - We will partake of the Lord's Supper together as we remember Jesus' final supper with His disciples. Sunday Night, March 24th, 2013, 7 p.m.

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You Have One Chance at This (and time is not on your side)

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For years we've said things like "Nobody's perfect" or "God gives second chances" or "If at first you don't succeed...try, try again." While all of these comments may be true in theory, truth be told, we can no longer rest on the laurels of God's mercy; we must strive to fulfill His standard as families. Instead of recognizing these principles as God's mercy, we tend to make them excuses.

You see, God has already given us the tools we need with clear instructions on how to use them. God cares deeply for your home and wants it to be all it was intended to be. God never intended for our families to be some sort of cultural experiment that can change year to year or generation to generation.

Our families are the building block of civilization. It is why one of the first things God established was the family in general and marriage in particular. Listen to the words of God Himself:

This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24 HCSB)

The family was established before Israel, before the Church, before government, before any other social organization or governing authority. It was where God, in all of His infinite wisdom, chose to establish the most important priority. Now, we tend to place more emphasis on our jobs, our friends, our politics, or our interests. For whatever reason, we think that all the other things come before our family. It is almost as if we think our families are indestructible. We assume that they will survive without nurture or sustenance. When we do that, it is our loss. As God prioritized, so must we. Otherwise the statistics of child abuse and neglect, divorce, teenage suicide, domestic violence, and the like, will continue to rise.

It is up to you and me to begin to say that we will have a godly, determined, and grace-filled family. The kind of family that those in our culture want to become like. The kind of homes that people come away from with more of God as a part of their lives. Homes where husbands love their wives (Ephesians 5:25). Wives respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). Children obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1). A home where grace is in abundant supply (Ephesians 1:6). That is the kind of place God wants us to have.

So, you can see why it is the most important place on earth. We have one chance. Time is not on our side. Start being the kind of home God wants. Begin today.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

Modern Family Series Continues this Sunday - From "Leave it to Beaver’s" Cleavers to "Modern Family’s" Pritchetts, TV producers have been offering us models of what the modern family is for years, but is that what it should be? Many of us have realized neither model works. Let’s be honest, all we really want is a family that works. Families may have changed, but God's principles about the family haven't. Join us at Oceanside Church for a real-life journey into seemingly revolutionary concepts that have worked for thousands of years, and still work today. The style of the modern family may have changed, but the way to have a great modern family hasn’t.

Churchwide Dinner Honoring Pastor Ivey, Allie and their children - On their last Sunday, we will be sending this wonderful family off to seminary with a special service and dinner. Meat will be provided. Please bring cold drinks, a side dish, and dessert. Plan now to attend on Sunday February 24th right after church.

RVGC Video Game competition - 6 p.m. Friday Night February 22. ALL STUDENTS INVITED. If you want to compete, there is a $5 entry for the Super Smash Brothers competition. $75 grand prize. Total purse to be awarded, $150.

 

 

Oceanside Church Online - Did you miss the message this past Sunday? Need some exhortation for the coming week? We've got just what you're looking for. Follow this link to find a message that will touch your heart and encourage your walk at Oceanside Church Online

 

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White Flag

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War is a funny thing. I doubt there has ever been any army that ever went into battle authentically with the thought in their mind that they would raise the WHITE FLAG of surrender. They actually thought they could win. Typically, you believe that somehow, some way, you will find a way to win. In battle, a white flag is not always raised. Sometimes there is a fight to the death. Even with insurmountable odds, they chose to keep fighting to the last man. We often immortalize their bravery in poems like "The Charge of the Light Brigade, " in broadway plays like "Les Miserables", and in historical movies like "The Alamo". But, the point of war is not to sacrifice, it is to win. Sacrifice might be the means to the end, but no one would sacrifice if there was not a sincere belief that their sacrifice would not make a difference.

Yet, as believers, we are called to surrender to our God and His will for us. Job understood this when He said:

Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, (Job 11:13 CEV)

It is in our surrender that we become so much more. We join God in what He is doing, and it that act of surrender that makes us more than we ever thought we could be doing it on our own.

Today I wrote this on FaceBook concerning Jacob's wrestling with God, found in Genesis 32:24ff:

The man that Jacob wrestled could have been either 1 of 2 beings: 1) an angel 2) the pre-incarnate Christ. We are told this by the prophet Hosea, "Jacob struggled with the Angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He found him at Bethel, and there He spoke with him." (Hosea 12:4 HCSB) It seems to indicate that this was an angel Jacob wrestled. To deal with an angel was to deal with The Almighty. But, when [the words] the Angel of the Lord is used, we normally associate him with the pre-incarnate Christ. Either way, the point is - you will lose when you wrestle against God's will. You see, God has a way of humbling you and letting you know who is in charge. He is God and you are not. It will be in your humility that God is able to do the greatest work through you. The deceiver (Jacob) became the father of many nations (Israel) once he submitted to God and lost. Isn't it time we raise the WHITE FLAG?

It is time that we give up. In case you haven't gotten to this place in your life, the battle cannot be won. The sacrifice has already been made through the Cross of Christ. We don't need this battle. God will win, and we will lose. When God wins, we all win!

As we close our "Strapped" Series, many of us have been struggling with how to deal with our financial resources. We have held our money so close to our hearts that we can't release it. We (and I'm including me) can't seem to decide to "live like no one else so we will be able to live like no one else." We can't put our minds around this idea that "We're going to give up things now that we love for things we love even more." As I said this past Sunday, no one who claims the name of Christ doesn't tithe because they somehow hate the LORD. It is because we have become so strapped that we can't get seem to get to the place of tithing. Let's get free!

That is why I tithe. I can't make it on my own with my money, so I've got to tap into the resources of God. My tithe is my WHITE FLAG of surrender to God. It is me telling Him that I put Him first place in my life. It is me saying, "I'm going to get rid of my debt and I need you to supernaturally help me with my bills." It is me saying, "I believe you will open the windows of heaven and pour out so many blessings that I can't catch them all" (Malachi 3:10).

Here's the deal, if I go to war with God, I will lose. Isn't it time you and I both surrender to Him? God can then start His best work in us, and truly the best is yet to come.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

Modern Family Series Begins this Sunday - From "Leave it to Beaver’s" Cleavers to "Modern Family’s" Pritchetts, TV producers have been offering us models of what the modern family is for years, but is that what it should be? Many of us have realized neither model works. Let’s be honest, all we really want is a family that works. Families may have changed, but God's principles about the family haven't. Join us at Oceanside Church for a real-life journey into seemingly revolutionary concepts that have worked for thousands of years, and still work today. The style of the modern family may have changed, but the way to have a great modern family hasn’t.

Valentine's Not Just for Couples Banquet - This Sunday night, February 10th 7p.m. Games, Dinner, Pictures for $5.

 

 

 

RVGC Video Game competition - 6 p.m. Friday Night February 22. $5 entry for Super Smash Brothers Competition. $75 grand prize. Total purse to be awarded, $150.

 

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Money Might Not Make Me Happy, But I Sure Would Like to Try It for a While

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I watched a Matlock episode last night on the Inspiration Network that was all about easy, quick money. It actually illustrated the point of the love of money being the root of all evil. Here's a quick synopsis:

A man meets an attractive woman while he's jogging. She meets him later for dinner where she tells him she made some easy money in the stock market. She gets him to invest with the same stock broker, and he makes several thousand dollars. He wants more, so he asks if he can invest $25,000 with this broker and make some real money. Of course, the broker agrees to the transaction. When the "mark" goes to meet the broker with the money, they stumble into what looks like a murder scene. Supposedly, the "police" have already been called, sirens are heard, so they scram, but not before hiding the $25,000 from the "police". Once they leave the area, the money is taken to be shared with the rest of what you now recognize as "con" men. This pattern continues again, but the next time, one of the confidence men is murdered. Is it revenge, or one of the other con men trying to get more of the split? Only Matlock can figure it out. At one point, the confidence man is accosted by Matlock's beautiful assistant. She asked, "Why would you choose to destroy so many lives?" His answer? "I'm doing nothing but using the greed that is in their heart. They know what they are doing is wrong, but they want to any way." Yikes, an admitted criminal understood greed that lurks in most of our hearts, more than we're willing to admit.

That brings me back to what the Bible warned us about, "The love of money is the root of all evil." Even TV shows recognize this to be a universal truth. I think before the episode was over, nearly every one of the 10 commandments (except disobeying parents) was broken.

Herein lies the rub, when it comes to quick and easy riches, the reason they are so destructive has to do with discipline and wisdom. You must know and understand how to use riches without destroying yourself or others. The Bible understands human nature and warns us of this grave error we should avoid:

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:9 HCSB)

as well as...

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears (Proverbs 13:11a NLT)

You see, God honors three things when it comes to our money:

1) Hard, steady work

2) Self-control with the money we earn.

3) Long term, steady growth

The second part of Proverbs 13:11 encourages us to that kind of lifestyle:

wealth from hard work grows over time (Proverbs 13:11b NLT)

Here's a good way to get rich. It's not fast, but it is tried and true. Save $5 a day. If you will do that and invest it at *12% over time, your finances would look something like this:

In 5 years, you would have $12,250

10 years = $34,505

20 years = $148,388

30 years = $524,244

40 years = $1,764,716 25 to 65

50 years = $5,858,750 20 to 70

That's how money works for you 24/7, 365 days a year with compound interest.

"But, come on, really? No one really does that," you say. Truth be told, you're probably more right than wrong on that issue in today's world. But lots of people used to do that. My father-in-law being one of them. He worked hard for many years, retired at an early age, and still lives off of his retirement. He is able to help others, bless his family, give to his church, and even support other ministries. He understood then and experiences now the way that long term investment can work over the long haul. God blessed PawPaw's discipline and patience as he let his money work for him so he could live comfortably and have the ability to invest in other lives long after retirement.

Here's a challenge to each of us...don't seek to get rich quick. Seek to invest wisely over years, and watch what can happen as we wisely do what the Bible tells us to do. You'll be amazed, and then YOU WILL get to find out what it's like to have money.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

*Dave Ramsey gives these percentages in long term investments. Here's an explanation from his website with a way to requeast more information from actual ELP's (Endorsed Local Providers)

 

Coming Up at Oceanside Church...

Super Bowl Party - THIS Sunday Night, February 3rd. Begins at 6 p.m. at Oceanside. Bring your best tailgate food. Wear your team's colors. Enjoy the food. Let's have some together!

Valentine's Not Just for Couples Banquet - Sunday night, February 10th 7p.m. Games, Dinner, Even pictures for $5.

RVGC Video Game competition - 6 p.m. Friday Night February 22. $5 for Super Smash Brothers Competition. $75 grand prize. Total purse to be awarded, $150.

 

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Change Your Life in 90 Days

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Is anyone tired of hearing about the newest weight loss system? How about the latest fitness craze. Truth is, most care immensely more about what they look like, rather than who they are. I have fallen into that trap and will do it again.

When I was a young boy playing peewee football for the Isle of Palms Rec department, we all went to the yearly awards banquet. I had never been to one of these before and I wanted to look just right. So, I took a bath, washed and brushed my hair (and yes, I did used to have hair!), and got dressed in some casual clothes. As we were leaving, I started doubting my choice of wardrobe. Suppose this was a more formal affair? Suppose everyone else was dressed up and I wasn't? So, I tried to call my friends and teammates to find out what they were wearing. By the time I was making the phone calls, everyone had obviously already left. All I could think about was what I would look like that night. I was one anxious little fellow. So, my mom dressed me appropriately and off we went. When we arrived, i pretty much looked like everyone else. But, truthfully, no one really cared. This was a football banquet and it was all about going with your parents to get some awards and eating some dinner. it didn't matter what we looked like, as long as we were clean and neatly dressed.

Here's the lesson: as long as you look presentable and clean, what we look like is not nearly as important as we make it out to be. But there is something that is much more important: our character. Who are we deep inside?

For the most part, once we mature, we are who we are. But there is one way to change our lives: by the supernatural power of the Spirit of God. He works in many ways in our lives, but none more than the way He works through the Bible. The Bible was given us not to have some cake on special occasions, but to be bread for daily use. It is intended to change our lives.

Colossians 3:10 tells us that "you are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right and trying constantly to be more like Christ." The more we learn about Christ, yield to Him and His will, the more we change into His likeness.

Hope you'll join us for these next 90 days as we read through the New Testament. There have already been many reports as to how the Lord has spoken in a clear and direct way in these last few days as people have opened their hearts and minds to God. It's truly an awesome thing to be a part of.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE 90 DAY READING PLAN HERE

Let's see what God can do in our lives as we make the Word of God a daily part of our lives. I'm sure He's ready to change us beginning today.

Learn about S.P.A.C.E. P.E.T.S. for Devotional Reading HERE

Pastor Trey Rhodes

Coming this week...

Let's get smart with our money and learn practical and biblical principles to free ourselves. Sermon series begins this Sunday, January 13, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

Small groups start back this week. Be sure to get to yours this week!

Calling our community this Thursday, January 17th at 6:30 p.m. What a great opportunity to minister and serve our neighbors spiritually.

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Plain Vanilla Christian

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Have you ever heard someone say, "That's just plain vanilla" ? In my thinking, that phrase is usually heard when a salesman is trying to talk you into upgrading into the deluxe model. My usual terse answer is, "There's nothing plain about vanilla." You see, I love vanilla. There is nothing better than a mug of vanilla bean ice cream late in the evening to bring comfort to these weary bones. I don't want cherries, chocolate, marshmallows, or jimmies. I just want vanilla ice cream.

Now, I just found out after making a comment on Sunday about the importance of believers becoming mature, I was right. The best things in life do need to mature, including vanilla. For us to finally get vanilla in useable form takes years. 4 and a half years from planting to your kitchen. The process of planting, growing, pollinating, harvesting, and curing takes large amounts of time and effort. If you want vanilla, real vanilla, not the imitation stuff, you must determine to mature it in the proper way. It is only then that we can use it in our ice cream, cakes, sauces, or anything else I can imagine adding it to.

How does this happen? Here's a excerpt from an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper:

It takes up to three years after a vanilla-producing orchid vine is planted before the first pale yellowish-green flowers even appear, then another 1 1/2 years from the time the flowers are pollinated until the bean is processed. Now you know why vanilla is so expensive: It requires years' worth of labor.

So, I ask you, are you ready for a plain vanilla Christian life? It will take time and energy and willingness for you to grow to maturity. As a college professor once told us, "You can be spiritual in a moment, but spiritual maturity requires time" (Dr. Sumner Wemp, Liberty Unviversity).

But time is not enough. You see, as you have seen over and over, some people never grow up, they only get older and bigger. This is why we spent 5 weeks at Oceanside Sunday morning services and at our small groups explaining why we must sell out to the Jesus as Lord. That means life, or BIO, as we have discovered, means that to mature, we get:

BEFORE GOD - spending 10 minutes a day with Jesus (the 959 plan is a great place to start. Please contact us for more information about this great starting point).

IN FELLOWSHIP - making it a point to be in church and in small group every single week.

ON MISSION - being able to tell your story with people God brings to you at work, at school, at play, or wherever you are.

The Bible tells us that we are to mature. Prayers have already been offered to the Lord for us to become mature. Read what 2 Corinthians 13 tells us:

"We also pray that you become fully mature" and "become mature" (See verses 9 and 11)

So, how about it? Are you ready to experience life, BIO, as never before? Get started now. Become a "vanilla" Christian as you mature in Christ. You will truly be UNSTOPPABLE!

Pastor Trey Rhodes

See you Sunday Morning at 10:30! UNSTOPPABLE Series begins this week. See you there!

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