Books
New Release! Soaring Servants: Women in God's Service by Linda Sedrick Pearson is now available at PS Publishing.
Doctor It
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Have you ever had a sore that you didn’t doctor? You know that if you don’t put any salve on the wound soon it will become a huge festering thing. Every minute, hour and day that goes by without medicine makes it grow bigger and it hurts more.
There are lots of things in our lives that are like that.
Are you a person without Jesus Christ in your life? The longer you go without Jesus, the worse you become. If you continue in this way, your whole being is eventually consumed.
Perhaps at one time, you tried serving the Lord. Then, one day, someone said something that hurt your feelings. Maybe this person did it intentionally and maybe not. Instead of confronting that person, you sit and think over and over again what the person said to you. Every time you think on this, the sore gets bigger. Why not take the salve of the Holy Spirit and put it on the wound? How do you do that? Go and talk to the person who caused you injury.
There is a good chance that the person didn’t realize what he or she was doing. Not only will you rescue yourself, but you may even rescue the other person from festering sores. It may even stop them from injuring someone else.
It’s time we stopped giving the devil entry into our lives. Stand up for God. Let’s learn how to handle these things in a godly manner.
Church is NOT a Building
“Upon this rock I will build my church,” (Matthew 16:18) “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The rock is the foundation plan to life. It is the salvation plan of God for all mankind. Salvation never wavers. It is people who waver, not God’s plan of salvation.
Salvation is the rock upon which all faith, hope, spiritual gifts, and all else from God is built upon. And salvation is “Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:16)
All those who will be saved are saved throguh believing and accepting and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That is the foundation of our faith. That is the rock Jesus was telling Peter about in Matthew 16:18. When saved (when you receive the free gift of payment for your sins) Jesus Christ, the Rock of your salvation, protects you. The gates of hell, which is all evil and wickedness, will not win because it is all battling against that Rock – Jesus Christ.
So, now that we have established what the rock mentioned in Matthew 16:18 actually is, let’s look at what the church is NOT. First, it is NOT a building made with hands, although we use the word “church” to refer to a meeting place where a local body of Christians gather for Bible study, prayer, praise, teaching, and preaching.
Matthew 18:17 is talking about how the people (“the church”) should handle a situation if there is a sin against one Christian by another Christian. First back up to verse 15 in Matthew chapter 18. The Christian that was sinned against is to go alone to the Christian that harmed him or her and try to work out their problem in a Christian manner (verse 15). If the Christian that committed the sin does not correct the offensive behavior, then the one that is sinned against should go back to him or her and this time take one or two other Christians with her as witnesses to confront the offending Christian (verse 16). If the offender still does not listen, then Matthew 18:17 says to “tell it to the church.”
Now, this is one verse that shows us that the “church” referred to is NOT a building. Common sense tells us that we would not stand in front of a building and speak to it about someone offending us or about troubles we are having between one another. Or suppose you do believe that one speaks to a building. That is possible. Any of us could stand in front of, or inside of, a building and speak to it.
Let’s look at verse 17 again in Matthew chapter 18. It continues on to say “…but if he neglect to hear the church…” In order to “hear the church,” the church must be speaking. Right? Does a building speak? NO! So how can a person “hear the church?” It means that the people are “the church” and they are speaking about this matter and how to deal with it.
Next, let’s take a look at Acts 20:28. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” We need to break this down and take a look at the different phrases given here that helps us understand that the church is a group of people and not a building.
Let’s look at the phrase “feed the church of God.” This means that the people are to be fed both spiritually (always) and physically (as needed). Does a building hear teaching and preaching (spiritual feeding)? NO! Does a building eat food (physical feeding)? NO!
Moving on, the next phrase to look at is, “which he hath purchased with his own blood.” In this verse the word he is talking about Jesus. Jesus purchased the church of God with Jesus’ own blood. Did Jesus come to die on the cross and shed his blood for a building? Absolutely NOT! He came to shed his blood and die for people, for us. So we are to “feed the church of God” or in other words, “feed the Christian people.”
One more verse, in case you are still not convinced that the church is NOT a building (even though we call some buildings churches). Colossians 1:18 reads, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” Jesus Christ is the “head of the body.” He is the head, we as Christians are the body. We, the people, are who God uses as His tongue, mouth, hands, feet, eyes, ears, heart, and all other parts of the body as God has need to use. We are “the body” mentioned in this verse. It is NOT a building made with hands, but instead is a group of saved people. These people are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. When you accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you receive eternal life and become a child of God. You also become one in that body – groups of Christian people joined together by one Head – Jesus Christ! This is done so that Jesus “might have the pre-eminence.” Pre-eminence means first place. Jesus Christ is to have first place in all things.
(Written by Linda Sedrick Pearson.)
Be Prepared
God expects us to be prepared at all times. Prepared for what? Several things. First, we are to be prepared to by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. That is step one.
Next, we are to study our Bibles daily and know the word of God. This prepares us to battle the temptations and trials that come against us. We are to pair this with constant prayer. These tools will prepare us for spiritual battles.
We are also to be prepared by knowing what we believe and why we believe it so that if someone asks we have answers. As Christians, we should always be able to tell exactly what we believe. Do not say, “I believe what my church believes.” That is not an answer. If that is what you usually answer, think about what exactly does your church believe.
Questions to Ask Yourself and Answer
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
- Do you believe that Jesus was born of the flesh to a virgin (she had not had sex with any man)?
- Do you believe that God, through the Holy Spirit, impregnated the virgin, Mary?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ took on the sins of everyone and those were nailed to the cross?
- Do you believe that Jesus Christ is our gift from God so that we can be saved?
- Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven – He is the only way to cross the gulf of sin that separates us from God?
- Do you believe that you cannot do enough good works to make it to heaven?
- Do you believe that baptism does not save you?
- Do you believe that no matter what you do, you cannot be good enough to make it to heaven on your own merits?
- Do you believe that you have to confess your sins to God and accept (receive) Jesus Christ as your Savior in order to be saved?
If you could answer yes to everyone of those questions, you are close to being prepared. I say “close” because I do not know if you do daily Bible study and prayer. Those are important tools that feed our spiritual bodies and we must have a daily diet of each one.
Be prepared, stay prepared. Grab that Bible, carry it with you. Read it during the day. Read it in the morning with your breakfast. Read it in the afternoon with your lunch. Read it in the evening with your evening meal. Read it at bedtime. With each reading, pray. Pray for God to give you understanding and knowledge of what you read.
Soaring Servants: Women in God’s Service – New Book Release!
New Release!
My new book, Soaring Servants: Women in God’s Service, is published and available for sale. You can read all about it and order you copy at PS Publishing (USA).
Witnessing
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
A witness is someone who testifies of things he knows because the witness has personally seen, heard, and experienced what he testifies about. He does not tell of things he does not personally know about. It has to be things he has personally experienced through his own eyes and ears.
If you have been struggling with how to witness to others, just tell what you know about God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. Read 1 John 1:1-4 and those verses, written by the apostle John, tell you how they witnessed. They witnessed about things they knew, heard, and saw. Continue reading
How Important is Discipleship?
Did you know that there are 257 verses and 274 times within those verses that the word disciple or disciples appears? This means that disciples and discipleship training must be a very important aspect of the Christian life. Or at least God must think so. Why else would He have mentioned about disciples so many times in His word – the Bible.
The first mention of disciples is in the Old Testament, Isaiah 8:16. Although God was talking to Isaiah and the houses of Israel and Judah, He was also talking to us and commanding us to teach the ways of God to others.
“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples” (King James Version). Continue reading
Elijah and the Widow
Read 1 Kings 17:8-16
The word of the LORD came to Elijah. There were three things that God told Elijah to do:
* Arise – he had to get up. He could not keep sitting and accomplish anything.
* Get thee to Zarephath – he had to go somewhere. He had to go where God wanted him to go (to Zarephath). The word Zarephath means refinement. God was going to do some fine tuning on Elijah and the widow. He was going to refine (free from impurities) both of them. Zarephath was in Zidon. Zidon means catching fish. Elijah was going to do some fishing there (spiritual fishing). Through Elijah, God was bringing the widow to know Him.
* Dwell there – Elijah was to live where God sent him.
Before Elijah arrived, God had provided for his needs. He told Elijah that he had commanded the widow to feed him. God never sends us anywhere that He hasn’t already provided for us.
God had commanded the widow woman, who was a Gentile, to sustain Elijah. She was to feed, receive, and make provision for him. God had already told her to do this. He commanded her to do it. This was a Gentile woman. This was someone who did not know God, yet He commanded her to supply the needs of Elijah (a man of God). Continue reading
Our God is Our Hope
Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
There is none like God. He pardons our sins and transpasses against him. He forgives us and does not stay angry with us forever. He is our father and like a father with a child, he cannot stay angry with us forever.
He does expect us to humble ourselves, confess our sins, and ask him to forgive us. He delights in giving us his mercy and his grace. It makes God happy to pull us close to him and to give us his compassion. He will bring our sins and trespasses under control and give us the strength to resist temptations. Continue reading
Fasting that God Acknowledges
by Linda Sedrick Pearson
Isaiah 58:5-8 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
God did not choose for us to fast by afflicting our own souls. That was not what God intended us to do.
The type of fast God chose was for us to help others that are in need. We are to be there to help when people are down. We are to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ (“to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and … break every yoke”). When people hear about and accept Jesus Christ, it does loose the bands of wickedness, undoes heavy burdens, lets the oppressed go free and breaks every yoke. Jesus Christ is freedom and comfort.
Another part of the fast God chose for us was for us to feed the hungry and provide shelter to those who have none. We are to clothe those who do not have clothing. Don’t withdraw from your own family (“hide not thyself from thine own flesh”). We are to help people in need. We are not to burden them more by asking them why they are in that condition. We are supposed to help them.
Reach out to others. Don’t worry if they are dirty. Maybe they don’t have anywhere to take a bath. Provide them a place to take a bath and clean clothes. Give them toothbrushes and toothpaste. Provide them with shelter and safety.
We are to save back some of our income so that we are able to help others. Even if it is only $1.00 a week. Put it back and save it so that you have something to give when you see someone in need. Take them and buy them a new set of clothes or a good meal.
Did you know that when you do these things you will be healthier? God says so in these verses. And, the glory of the LORD will be your rereward. That means he will be your protection. Rereward means a rear guard. He will guard you and keep you safe. Don’t be afraid to take care of others needs. God will take care of yours.
