WATCH, STAND, BE STRONG #82306302013

SURFING WITH JESUS

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com

 #82306302013

WATCH, STAND, BE STRONG

In thinking about the 4^th of July on which the United States celebrates its freedom and liberty each year, and while studying for my sermon these thoughts came to me after reading 1^st Corinthians 15 & 16.

Many of us are concerned about our world and all the things we see happening that is fulfilling prophecies every day. I too am troubled to see our nation turn further and further away from God and I think that is why the word of God is so helpful in helping us see and know that we must watch, stand and be strong, 

Read a few verses from Paul’s writings with me. 

1^ST Corinthians 15

⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1^ST Corinthians 16

¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

¹⁴ Let all your things be done with charity.

These verses ring out the truth to us and I want to cry out death where is your sting, grave where is your victory. I’m so thankful I have God for times like these to direct my path. Let us be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord. What you are doing is not in vain but will last for eternity. 

There is no doubt in my mind as you going about your day that you will be blessed as you do all things in love. The song says “God is love eternally, the Bible tells me so, proven on dark Calvary his matchless love to show.”

So, I proclaim again WATCH, STAND and be STRONG.

REMEMBER 

“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

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BE STRONG IN THE LORD! #82206252013

SURFING WITH JESUS

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com

 #82206252013

Posted on FB by Bishop E.C. McKinley

Monday, June 24, 2013

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

"But mark this:  There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with them." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

For the past three years, I have been intently studying the books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus.  These three books of the New Testament are pastoral letters, written by the apostle Paul to a young protégé, Timothy and to another named Titus, giving them instructions for pastoral ministry.  Timothy was to oversee the church at Ephesus while Titus was charged with the care of the church at Crete.  I had studied these books before, but the Lord has directed me there regularly in order to fulfill the work I am charged with as the Bishop of Tennessee.

The verse quoted above almost jumped off the pages of my Bible tonight while I was agonizing over pastoral appointments and the care of so many pastors who are struggling in numerous ways.  Pastors are a gift to the church according to Ephesians 4:11 and have been hand-selected by God Himself.  Each pastor must accept the call of God with a certain sense of joy, but also a sense of heaviness for the work of the local church and the evangelism of the lost. 

As I read the verse from 2 Timothy 3:1-5 I could see almost all of these problems existing not just in the world but also in the church.  The great apostle, writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, told of the last days, and the signs that would be so evident. I found myself almost totally overwhelmed as I read it realizing we live in such a time.

You can understand these types of behavior in unbelieving world, but in the church?  It is so much harder to accept that this is how it has to be.  Do we give in to every impulse, every desire and totally lose self-control?  Is our life marked by the evidences of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24) or sadly is our life marked by the fruits of sin (Galatians 5:19-21).  It is a question that you must ask yourself, and ask it on a regular basis.  God's word boldly proclaims that those whose life is marred by the lusts of the eyes, of the flesh and the pride of life simply will not inherit the kingdom of God. (v. 21)

Has there been a more wicked generation? 

We have watched the moral collapse of our nation, and my heart cries out that the same won't be reflected in the church.  We must turn the tide...godly men and women must cry out for the help of the Lord that they will not be overtaken by the same spirit that dominates a world headed for disaster.

As I continued to think on what I see around me, of the seemingly loss of the fear of God in this generation, my mind went back to the hundreds of children that attend our youth camps.  I remembered the faces of children in an altar crying out to God and then thought about the oft-forced altar calls (if one is given at all) in the churches.  It is no wonder that children can be so revived during times of youth camps and then lose hope when they return home.  The whole picture caused a sense of hopelessness to overwhelm me.

Then...I remembered what I had read and studied in an earlier part of Paul's instructions to Timothy.  "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.  Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer." (2 Timothy 2:1-4)

The truth that so overwhelmed me reminded me of my mother and father.  They actually suffered for the sake of the Gospel.  They suffered ridicule and were mocked and despised, struggling to keep the doors of the church open when others were seemingly "at ease in Zion."  They lived in the basement of a church, cooking their meals on a hotplate, boiling water on the same hotplate to bathe with because there was no shower in the basement.  I remembered the words of my mother as she looked into my eyes and said, "son, the bible says you must endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ." 

I determined then, I WILL be STRONG IN THE LORD.  I will testify of the things I've seen and heard and I will help to raise up a generation of reliable men and women who will carry this gospel when I am long gone.  Two generations after behind us we will for the most part be forgotten by men, but NOT by God. 

As we see the rise of wickedness which I honestly believe will grow worse, we must commit to a life of holiness and grace.  We must submit our hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit and watch as He changes the lives of hopeless men and women around us.

REMEMBER

“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

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WHAT KIND OF DAY #82106222013

SURFING WITH JESUS

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com

#82106222013

WHAT KIND OF DAY?

What a beautiful day to know Jesus and to know how much he loves me. Yes, he is the great I am and he abides with me. The song says “I’m rejoicing night and day as I walk the narrow way for the comforter abides with me.”

Today is just another day for many but for some it’s a stressful day. My neighbor’s funeral is today and for his family it will be a long day. But you know I remember just two short years ago I buried my mom and it was a glorious day because she had been faithful to God and was going home with him.

What kind of day are you having? What kind of day do you want to have? Another song says in the chorus:

“Give them all give them all give them all to Jesus
Shattered dreams wounded hearts broken toys                           
Give them all give them all give them all to Jesus
And He will turn your sorrow into joy”

None of us know what the day will hold but we can rest assured if we know the Lord that we can rest sheltered in his arms.

So once again I will say give it all to Jesus, let him be the light to show you the way. Thank you Lord for all you do for us each day, thank you Lord that you are there even when we may not see the way. Thank you Lord for the peace that passes all understanding.

Makes me want to sing another song, “peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the father above, sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.” LET EVERTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.    

REMEMBER

“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

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HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2013 #81906132013

SURFING WITH JESUS

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com

#81906132013

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

2013

Happy Father’s Day to one and all, I hope all you fathers are being good dads today. My desire is to be a good dad as God blessed me to be the father of two wonderful children.

Have you ever wondered what have I done with the awesome challenge of being a dad? As a dad I desire to love my children and set an example before them. Sometimes, I have failed but being a dad didn’t come with a service manual or a pill to make me perfect.

I am so glad both my children love the Lord and try to set an example before others to fear God and keep his commandments. My desire is to do all I can to cherish them and make it to heaven with them when God calls us home.

Dad, we have to continually work on being dad, after years of experience I still want to improve and love my family. God has been so good to us and blessed us in every way and I want to return that love to him thru loving my children.

The song says “When you’ve failed and gone astray forsaking things above, seek the straight and narrow way to dwell where God is love.” We are not perfect men, we do make mistakes but we have a Heavenly Father to turn to and ask for help to show us the way to grow and do better as a dad.

Dad we need to daily remember what the Psalm says in chapter 136 verse 26: “Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever.” Since God’s mercy endures forever, I think it’s good for our mercy to endure forever when we are interacting with our children. Remember they didn’t receive a manual on being your kid either.

If you have been a good dad that is wonderful but seek ways to be even better. If you have been a bad dad, start afresh and anew and be a good dad. Love your children it will pay dividends now and in the future.

My desire is to be the best dad in the world and to know I have shown them all I can to make it in this life and the in the life to come. So, I say HAPPY FATHER’S DAD, enjoy your day.

REMEMBER

“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

Join Surfing with Jesus mailing list: genedash@yahoo.com.Send prayer request to: genedash@yahoo.com