P Mike Applying the Word

Holy and Blameless  B efore Him The lack of a pursuit of holiness in the greater evangelical church is very concerning. It is becoming more and more prevalent in our society for  pastors  and their congregations to affirm  the LGBT Q+  agenda. I was speaking to one of our deacons who is visiting a large metropolitan city in America.  I n the city ,   five  large mega churches have  pride  flags flying in front of their churches ( not to mention how   blatantly blasphemous   it is  that the rainbow is the symbol for the LGBT Q+  community).  The inability of these churches to expose sin without being unkind to the sinner is revealing. It exposes much of the professing church in America .   Many of these churches  a re  false church es  led by the prince of the power of the air  instead of churches part of  the true bride of Christ ,  lead by the Prince of  P eace.  The letter to the Ephesians reveals God’s goal for His bride . “ …that we would be holy and blameless bef

Updated 7/11 - Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality an Evil Philosophy to avoid https://thecripplegate.com/overview-evaluation-of-critical-race-theory-intersectionality/ This article summarized the main issues dividing and destroying the evangelical church in America today.  The Southern Baptist Convention is presently imploding over this issue. Our church has been effected by this issue over the last four years. A church in our area did several conferences promoting critical race theory and intersectionality as effective tool for understanding cultures.  Some of our previous members went to that conference.  Those members are no longer at our church. At the time, I was clueless to what was going on. All I saw was it’s divisive nature, BUT I am clueless no longer. I strongly advise all of you to read and consider this article. It clearly explains the divisive and destructive nature of CRT/I.  It explains how the feminist movement, the social justice movement and the sex

In Judgment, Turn to the Lord “Yet even now,” declares the LORD,   “ Return to Me with all your heart,  And with fasting, weeping and mourning;  And rend your heart and not your garments.”  Now return to the LORD your God,  For He is gracious and compassionate,  Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness  And relenting of evil. Joel 2:12 –13  Joel reveals two displays of God ’ s judgment. First, a locust judgment on the people of Judah. Second, the final judgment at the day of the Lord on all the nations. In the midst, of the first judgment on Judah, God offers hope if the people repent! Often, the hardest thing to do when we are in our flesh and feeling the consequences of our sin is turn to the Lord. Why is this? Pride. This can come in so many different forms: 1.     Self-Loathing  - Thinking that somehow your self-loathing makes up for your sin. This ends up just being another form of penance. 2.     Blame Shifting  - Seeking to blame othe

Where is God’s Throne? https://anchor.fm/mike-sprott/episodes/Where-is-Gods-Throne-eaqlbb As I am reading through Ephesians, I noticed the location  in heavenly places  is repeated numerous times. What does this mean? God is omnipresent. He is present in every point in the creation. Grudem defines God’s omnipresence as follows:         God does not have size or spatial dimensions and is present at  every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts  differently in different places. [1] If God is at every  place , why does Paul repeatedly emphasize  the heavenly places ?          ·        The  blessings  occurred in heavenly places (1:3).          ·        Christ  is presently seated  in heavenly places  at the right                   hand of the Father (1:20-21). In fact,  believers  are seated                       with Christ  in the heavenly   places  (2:6).          ·        There are even families that are named  in heaven  (3:

God at Work!  Here is a little project for us this week.  As you read through Ephesians, take note of all the works God did, is doing or will do, as revealed in Ephesians. I was shocked at just how much He is doing.  One little hint; remember Ephesians 2:10 as you read chapters 4-6.  What are the “good works” of God that He has done, is doing or will do through us?  Take special note also of two key components of His work: 1. It is according to HIS will, and 2. It is done by His power, strength and might! I was blown away by just how much God is doing in me and in His other children. It definitely brought praise and thanksgiving to my heart.  It also motivated me to;  Do the works of God because God is working in me with the strength of His might! I’ll try to give a summary of all God did, is doing and will do at the end of the week.  Maybe you can list some works of God you see revealed in your life this week below in the comments section?