The Bible tells us that on our own, we cannot keep these laws. We need a Savior to forgive our sins. God designed the laws to build a relationship between Himself and us. A relationship that would be built on faith and not the obedience to the law itself. We need Him.Do we really need to be told not to kill, steal or lie?The law reveals that we are sinners.
Galatians 3:24“So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be saved through faith.”Four hundred and thirty years after God had given His Covenant Promise to Abraham, the people were so rebellious that He gave to His appointed leader (Moses), the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5) These laws revealed God’s will and were the absolutes for living. But the Law had another purpose. Paul writes,
So what does the Ten Commandments teach us? Basically there are two ideas/instructions from God.
How to Worship the One True God
First: Do not have other gods before Me
Second: Do not make an idol for yourself
Third: Do not misuse the name of the Lord
How to Live in Peach with Humanity
Fourth:
Remember to dedicate the Sabbath day
Fifth:
Honor your father and your mother
Sixth
: Do not murder
Seventh:
Do not commit adultery
Eighth:
Do not steal
Ninth:
Do not give false testimony
Tenth:
Do not covet
Stick with me over the next several months as we dive into what Jesus taught on the Commandments!
He had some very powerful words to describe why he said,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
The Nice Doctrine can be seen and heard almost any time a Christian attempts to take a stance (solicited or not) on a cultural or social issue. Someone will say that Jesus was a nice man that came down from Heaven to preach tolerance and acceptance and would never condemn, denounce, or cause trouble.
I do not recognize this Jesus from my Bible readings.
Remember John 2:15 when He used violence when He could no longer tolerate what was happening with the money changers in the temple? He made a whip and “drove all from the temple”. Or how about in Matthew 23:33 when He called the Pharisees and leaders of the early church, “hypocrites, snakes and vipers”. He verbally insulted them while rebuking them and condemning them for their behavior.
The following is from a blog by Matt Walsh:
“Jesus deliberately did and said things that He knew would upset people. He stirred up division and controversy. He provoked. He didn’t have to break from established customs, but He did. He did not have to heal that man’s hand on the Sabbath, knowing how it would disturb others and cause them immense irritation, but he did, and He did so with ‘anger’ (Mark 3:5). He could have been diplomatic, but He wasn’t.
He could have told everyone to relax, but instead He made them uncomfortable.
He could have put them at ease, but He chose to put them on edge.
He convinced the mob not to stone the adulterer (John 8), and you will notice that He then turned to her and told her to stop sinning. Indeed, never once did He encounter sin and corruption and say: ‘Hey, do your thing! Just have fun! YOLO!’
Now, it is true that He is God and we are not. Jesus can say whatever He wants to say. But we are called to be like Christ, which begs the question: What is Christ like?
Well, He is, among other things, uncompromising. He is intolerant of evil. He is disruptive. He is sometimes harsh. He is sometimes impolite. He is sometimes angry. He is always loving.”
Long time Spirit Business Partner Paul Deathriage and his wife Sue have been married 41 years this June! (Congratulations!) Paul and Sue worked together for over 25 years at their family owned Monarch Ford in Exeter. Paul worked there for over 31 years! He and Sue recently teamed up together in Real Estate at Keller Williams in Visalia. Paul says they both have different strengths and they use those together to better serve their clients.
When Paul left Monarch Ford to venture into Real Estate he wanted to continue working with people and help them achieve their goals and dreams. Real estate seemed like a perfect fit! They are driven by something more than just helping clients buy or sell their property; they are striving to make clients for life by offering and delivering superior customer service. Their goal is to over-deliver on their promises and make sure they help clients achieve their goals and dreams. Paul says, “Seeing the expressions on their faces when they have accomplished a dream is priceless; and really, isn't that what life is all about, helping others? I believe if you treat people with respect and are willing to put them first you will be successful in any business you are in.”
In regards to being a Business Partner of Spirit 88.9 , “We believe in your ministry and wanted to partner with you to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Our Sticker Stop in Tulare was a success! We got to play so many games of Jenga, one of you won a $50 gift card to Grocery Outlet in Tulare and we got to pray for a bunch of our friends. And thanks to your support we collected a ton of water for the people of Matheny Tract in Tulare who have had their water supply tainted with arsenic.
At Spirit we have been making an effort to spend more time in the community! We started Sticker Stops a few months ago for this purpose. These stops were originally intended to be a time to hang out in the community and hand out a few bumper stickers. While this is still the case, they are growing more near and dear to our hearts!
With each stop we make, we create connections and memories that the entire Spirit team will likely never forget. God has given us the opportunity to be out in the community not only to hang out and play giant Jenga, but as an extension of our ministry; spreading hope and encouragement. We have had countless opportunities to pray with others, fellowship with them and just give some words of encouragement! While it may seem we are offering hope and encouragement to others, each contact and relationship we create is also a moment when a Spirit staff member is being ministered to. We just wanted to take a quick moment to thank each and every person who has taken the time to stop at one of our Sticker Stops, it is truly a blessing! We are excited to see what God has in store for future Sticker Stops! If you would like to come out and see what these Sticker Stops are all about:
During our recent Spring Pledge Drive we received a call from Misha Brooks Salmeron wanting to jump on board as a Spirit Business Partner! Misha owns Beauty Bar 613 and they recently had their Grand Opening over the weekend in Tulare. The salon is located next to the Smart & Final at 1005 E. Prosperity and their services include hair and nails, waxing and tanning as well as a boutique where they sell junior and plus size women's clothing.
Misha plans to use her salon as her ministry and the story behind the name Beauty Bar 613 is inspired from Isaiah 61:3 and personal tragedy in her life. Her husband and son passed away in 2007 in a diesel truck accident and her sons name was Isaiah. She used the money that she received from his death to purchase the salon. In praying for guidance for the name she was directed to Isaiah 61:3 where the verse says, “He gives you beauty for ashes, strength for fear, joy for mourning and peace for despair”; hence beauty bar 613.
Spirit 88.9 is proud to team up with Misha and Beauty Bar 613 as together we seek to encourage through Christ those we come into contact with, no matter what they may be going through.
Beauty Bar 613 can be reached at 559 685 8116 and is found on Facebook and Instagram.
The Higher Learning Tour is coming April 2nd from 7-10pm to Bakersfield College.
Lecrae remains true to his beliefs and continues to be an artist that redefines mainstream popular culture.
Majesty Bible and Gifts is a great supporter of Spirit 88.9. Owners; Husband and Wife team- Harry and Hae Hi Daud are fellow believers and love serving their local community(s) in Fresno, Turlock and Bakersfield. This past Friday we had the opportunity for a Sticker Stop at their Fresno store with music, games and prizes! We are thankful for their heart, for their community, for service and that they have chosen to support the ministry of Spirit 88.9 in the valley!
To learn more about the Majesty ministry, check out this article!
