“Who’s Your Daddy?”

8-15-2022
J. Fields
 
A few years ago, I was in the best shape of my life, I was at the exact weight I wanted to be, I
was working out a lot and my eating habits were top notch but there was a problem, I had
become obsessed with trying to have this perfect image. Even though I was hitting these
personal goals it never did bring me happiness.
 
As I look back now, I do miss being skinnier however, I don’t miss making my life evolve
around my body image. I get asked at times if I stopped working out or wow “you’ve gained
weight”, the truth is I still work out a lot and while my diet is not as strict as it once was, I am in
a happier place in my life. Oh, it’s probably not the best to ask someone about their weight.
So, you are probably wondering what all of this has to do with a church blog, let me explain my
point. We are living in a culture that makes us feel as if we have to live up to everyone’s
expectations, it almost feels like we can’t be the person we truly are and it tends to put so much
pressure on us that we feel like we have to look, act, and be someone different when in reality we
just need to be whom God created us to be.
 
God created humans, which means you and me in His perfect images (Genesis 1:27). Since we
are God’s beautiful handy work (Ephesians 2:10) that means that we are already the person
whom God wants us to be. Believe me, if you have your eyes and ears focused in the wrong
places you will start looking and acting like the things you’re surrounded by, but if you stay in
alignment with God, He will bless you with everything you’ll ever need (James 1:12).
 
If you were like me where you had this negative thought about the person you are, maybe you
think you’re not good enough, or pretty enough, or strong enough let me give you this hope, by
the grace and mercy of God you are more than enough. Scripture tells us that we are chosen, a
royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) so the next time the enemy tries to tell you something different
remind him who your Father is. Walk with confidence, keep your head held high, and be
everything that God created you to be.
 
Blessings!
Pastor Jason

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The Spirit of Wisdom

8/1/2022
C. Hayden
 
In the last couple of weeks, Central Christian has been examining Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus during the Sunday morning service. I must say, when a sermon follows line upon line, scripture upon scripture, concepts of the Word of God seem to be exposed even when not looking for them. This past week we looked at Ephesians 1:15-23. In verse 17-18a, Paul reveals to the Church that he is praying for them regarding one thing, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…” When a people come to Christ, and as a Church studies the Bible, God’s intent is that the whole congregation begin to grow in their knowledge of Himself.
 
His desire is for our enlightenment of His will and purpose for us. God’s ultimate purpose for is not so that we only become church members then wait until we die to go to heaven. The Lord makes it clear that He wants us to know Him, to be educated in His ways, and to become familiar with the workings in accordance with His will. Isn’t that what we want also? First Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “….What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived – the things God has prepared for those who love Him – these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit.” Within God’s Word are treasures that prophets and kings wished that they had seen and known, but the revelation was given to us, not them (Luke 10:24). It is amazing how willing so many dismiss and ignore the wonder of God’s Word because they are too busy with the distractions of this world!
 
I don’t know about you, but I do not like to be left in the dark on things, especially when something has to do with me. I want to know what God’s will and purpose is for me. You can find it! It is there! Seek God’s wisdom regarding you and your family. He will give you wisdom for the “now” as well as in the world to come. Jesus will not disappoint. God promises! “If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5).
 
Be blessed even more!
Pastor Chris

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You Say You’re A Christian?

7-15-2022
J. Fields
 
Have you ever come across someone whom you were eventually shocked to find out they were a Christian? While you are thinking about that question let me give you a few statistics that were taken in 2020 in regards to Christianity. According to a 2020 Gallup Study, approximately 50% of Americans say they belong to a church. In 1999 the statistics stated that almost 70% of Americans said they were regular church attenders. In a 2020 Gallup Poll, it was shown that only 42% of millennials attend church, one of the lowest generational percentages. After reading these couple of statistics you may be asking the same thing I was, if almost half of the American
population states that they belong to a church then how in the world can this Nation be in such an uproar and shambles?
 
So now back to my original question; Have you ever come across someone whom you were eventually shocked to find out they were a Christian? I ask this because “the church” has been gaining a bad rap because it has fallen away from living in alignment with the way Christ intended it or I should say us to live. Over the years I have been in churches and have often times scratched my head wondering “is that really the way God would want a Christian to act”, I’m smart enough to know that there is no one who is perfect outside of Jesus but, we are called
to be Christ-like. 1 John 2:6 “ Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” Can you imagine how full churches would be if the 50% of Americans who say they belong to a church really did show up or even if they lived the way the church was created to live?
 
Overall crime (violence, murder, rape, assault) is all up across America as a whole. We
are living, watching, and hearing about crime every time we turn on the news. The days when we felt safe to leave our vehicles unlocked are out the window. America needs a wake-up call, it needs to be shaken, and it needs a revival! The church is one of the greatest tools that God has given us, folks we are the church! If we want to see a Nation that repents and falls back in love with the Creator of the Universe then that change must start with us. America needs a fresh anointing; it needs another mighty revival!
 
 
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
 
 
Blessings!
Pastor Jason

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