Tag: Message

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday July 07TH 2024, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

I continue to write my next sermon titled “Music & Lyrics”. It’s about half-done on paper. I’ve got some ideas floating around in my mind for my next sermon after that. It may be an Old Testament-based message. I may start writing it before I complete my ongoing sermon. I’ve discovered in the past that writing two sermons simultaneously actually enhance each other. I love how God leads me down these winding roads on this journey.

Since the start of April and for the next couple of months – I’m presenting the full transcription of my recent Jude message series consisting of two sermons – “Jude & Judgment” (Verses 1-11), and “Jude & Jury” (Verses 12-25). I preached them to my Homestead Florida church family on November 26TH 2023 and December 03RD 2023 respectively. Links are provided for Parts 1 to 8 of “Jude & Judgment” over on my SERMONS page. (It’s Sermon 56.) Here’s Part 4 of “Jude & Jury”:

[CONTINUE SERMON]

“The Lord is coming … to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These people are grumblers and complainers – living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. (Jude 15-16)

See that’s who the enemy uses to deceive us. Marge – you know these people. Judy – you know these people. Some may even be your “friends”. Some are my coworkers. They are grumblers and complainers. They are only happy – when they get their way – which is probably not your way – or God’s way. They don’t care about your way – or God’s way. They are braggers. It’s all about themselves. As the Scriptures say – “If you want to boast – boast only about the LORD.” (2 Corinthians 10:17)

They are flatterers – to get what they want – in any way possible. Don’t fall for them. Don’t be like them. You’ve come a long way on this journey. Remember the way that you used to be ? – back before you knew Christ ? I remember that person that I used to be. That was just over 17 years ago.

But you don’t have to go that far back to your pre-salvation life. Don’t be like the person that you were last year – or the year before that. You’re closer to God now than you were back then. You know more about Him now than you did back then.

In fact – don’t even be like the person that you were yesterday. Where you’re going tomorrow – is not where you are today. Our God has plans for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster – to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11b)

So Jude warns his readers (that includes us – we’re reading his letter in the Bible). He warns of these dangerous false teachers who lurk all around us – in the darkness and in the light. And then Jude gives us some good advice:

But you – dear friends – must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ – who will bring you eternal life. In this way – you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution – hating the sins that contaminate their lives. (Jude 20-23)

That is very good advice right there. That is Godly advice right there. We must build each other up instead of tear each other down. You know it’s easier to tear someone down rather than build them up. God doesn’t want us to do what’s easy. The world teaches us how to tear someone down. I mean just look around. We tear each other down – out there in public – and especially online on social media. But our loving God – He teaches us how to build someone up. When you build someone up – you show them your love, and that’s God’s love. When you build someone up – you build-up God’s Kingdom. When you build someone up – you may be saving their life. You may be rescuing them from the flames of judgment.

[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord, and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2024 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday June 30TH 2024, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

What a fun church week it was. This past week (Monday to Friday night) I had the honor and privilege of participating in my very first Vacation Bible School (#VBS). It’s like a week-long church summer camp for elementary school kids.

A few months ago I was asked (at Bible Study) by the lady who always sits next to me if I’d be willing to play a character at the upcoming #VBS. I immediately said “yes”, and I got the script for my character a week or two later. I portrayed (all 5 nights in a series of comedic skits) the slightly dimwitted but always learning “Jim NoLand”, and I made him my own with various ad-libs and other crazy personas from myself and other people I know. I played the role alongside my Pastor – who naturally played himself – “Shipwrecked” on a remote island full of monkeys and coconuts. It was a lot of fun. I didn’t know what to expect before it all got started, but I’m glad that I was asked to be a part of it. I think I was a “fan-favorite” with the kids. I also got to enjoy great fellowship with the adults each night.

It was perhaps my most complete and fulfilling church week in my 17+ years as part of various church families. I’m really enjoying and thriving in this current season with my church family here in Sebring. I’m coming up on 10 months with Highlands Community Church. Our Pastor is wonderful. His preaching and teaching style and his personality and sense of humor is very similar to my own, and his theology is the closest of any Pastor I’ve studied under or served with.

You know the church is the living and breathing body of believers and followers of our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ, and I believe that our church body is strong and bold and moving closer to and for our 3 in 1 God – Creator, Christ, and Spirit.

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body. It is made full and complete by Christ – who fills all things everywhere with Himself. (Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT)

Since the start of April and for the next couple of months – I’m presenting the full transcription of my recent Jude message series consisting of two sermons – “Jude & Judgment” (Verses 1-11), and “Jude & Jury” (Verses 12-25). I preached them to my Homestead Florida church family on November 26TH 2023 and December 03RD 2023 respectively. Links are provided for Parts 1 to 8 of “Jude & Judgment” over on my SERMONS page. (It’s Sermon 56.) I’ll continue with Part 4 of “Jude & Jury” – next #SundayScripture.

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord, and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2024 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday June 23RD 2024, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

This morning I awoke in Homestead Florida for the 2ND Sunday this month. I was previously here 3 Sundays ago. I return home to Sebring Florida right after church service and lunch today. Starting tomorrow night I’ll be involved in #VBS – Vacation Bible School – at my church. I’ll be in skits and other fun stuff for 5 nights. Our audience will be 4-to-11-year-olds. Our theme will be “Shipwrecked – Rescued By Jesus”. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never been involved in VBS in my 17½ years as part of a church family.

Since the start of April and for the next couple of months – I’m presenting the full transcription of my recent Jude message series consisting of two sermons – “Jude & Judgment” (Verses 1-11), and “Jude & Jury” (Verses 12-25). I preached them to my Homestead Florida church family on November 26TH 2023 and December 03RD 2023 respectively. Links are provided for Parts 1 to 8 of “Jude & Judgment” over on my SERMONS page. (It’s Sermon 56.) Here’s Part 3 of “Jude & Jury”:

[CONTINUE SERMON]

2ND Corinthians (4:4):
Satan – who is the god of this world – has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ – who is the exact likeness of God.

Beware of false teachers all around you. Always check and confirm with God’s Word. If it doesn’t sound right to you – then it’s probably not right. That applies to the secular world around us. There are a lot of con artists out there that are waiting to scam you out of money and personal belongings and even your entire home. And YES – a lot of these con artists lurk online from foreign countries. But you know – we have homegrown con artists walking amongst us right here in Homestead and Miami-Dade County. Beware of them. They are up to no good.

And we have con artists who have – as Jude writes – wormed their way into your churches. Beware of them. They are up to no good. As I preached last week – the enemy – he even works on Sunday mornings. Sunday is the devil’s busiest day.

Jude writes about these false teachers. As I read this – close your eyes and picture the vivid imagery in your mind:

When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love – they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea – churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars – doomed forever to blackest darkness. (Jude 12-13)

You know one of my favorite times of the week – aside from here in God’s house on Sunday mornings – is our fellowship meal after the service at one of our local restaurants. YES – the food is usually great. And I usually eat all of it. (No leftovers for me.) And the service from the wait staff is usually – good to OK. (Sometimes it can be better.) But it’s the fellowship that is most important to me. And we usually end up talking (for a few minutes anyway) about the sermon that was just preached to us. And we also pray. And talk. And laugh. That’s fellowship.

Jude writes about fellowship meals. Those early Christians of the late-First Century – they commemorated the Lord’s love by celebrating the Lord’s Supper – or Holy Communion – as we refer to it today. We will observe and celebrate Communion this morning to remind ourselves of how great our God is.

But Jude is warning his readers that false teachers are amongst us. Beware, and be aware. Don’t fall for them. They are useless. They are dangerous. They wander aimlessly. God condemns them. They are doomed forever.

[TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK]

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord, and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2024 Christopher M. Day, CountUp

Greetings my friends. It is Sunday June 16TH 2024, and this is the day that our LORD has made. Let us rejoice. Let us be glad in it. Let us celebrate this great new day of believing, following, trusting, loving, and being more like our Lord + Savior Jesus Christ. Let us love our neighbor as ourself.

It’s been an incredible past 2 years of my life here on God’s fantastic journey for me. It was 2 years ago earlier this month that I entered and toured (with the help of my Real Estate Agent) my new 55+ gated neighborhood in Highlands County Florida – just a couple of days after turning 55. On that morning in June of 2022 – I confirmed what I already knew – that I did indeed want to purchase my retirement / forever home in that neighborhood during the following Presidents’ Day Weekend in February of 2023. And so – I did what I said I would do – with the Lord’s guidance and direction (and a lot of praying). I selected my new home on the Thursday leading-in to that Presidents’ Day Weekend, and I closed and moved-in to it exactly 4 weeks later in March of 2023.

I’ve been living in my new home for exactly 15 months, and I still love it as much as I did when I first selected it. I’ve taken a fully furnished (nicest furniture I’ve ever owned) 3/2 home, and I’ve made it my own. It is truly my dream home in my dream neighborhood in my dream part of the Heartland of Florida !

This past Leap Day – the 29TH of February – right on schedule – I ended my nearly 39-year career with the USAF, and I entered retirement with full pay and benefits.

Sebring / Avon Park is my hometown now, and I’m physically and socially active all around the area – from the stores and restaurants to the museums and church to my own neighborhood. It’s a total lifestyle change for me from my 36+ years of living and working in South Florida.

I had no idea what all of this would “look like” back when I was dreaming about it all before June of 2022. I did a lot of praying back then, and I could not be more thankful for how everything worked out for me.

Don’t worry about anything. Instead – pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace – which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

A couple of Sunday mornings ago I was honored and privileged to preach what turned out to be a 45-minute sermon that I had prepared and enhanced off-and-on over the better part of the past year. It was all about the founder of Sebring Florida – George Eugene Sebring Jr. – and his best friend and next-door neighbor – Charles Frederick Weigle. Mr. Sebring intentionally built a new city with a solid foundation of Jesus Christ as Lord + Savior. It was a city of worship. He gave free land to anyone who built a church on it. He invited his best friend – Evangelist and Songwriter Dr. Weigle – to build a house and move next door to him. He invited retiring Christian workers from all over to move to Sebring – to rest and enjoy the good life in their later years. Mr. Sebring would die unexpectedly in January of 1927 at the age of almost 68. Dr. Weigle was devastated at his sudden passing. He vowed to continue the good work that Mr. Sebring had started, and so he did just that through the early-1950s.

Later this year I’ll present the full transcription of my “Sebring & Weigle” sermon in multiple parts here on #SundayScripture. I want the whole world to know how this beautiful city got its holy start.

Since the start of April and for the next couple of months – I’m presenting the full transcription of my recent Jude message series consisting of two sermons – “Jude & Judgment” (Verses 1-11), and “Jude & Jury” (Verses 12-25). I preached them to my Homestead Florida church family on November 26TH 2023 and December 03RD 2023 respectively. Links are provided for Parts 1 to 8 of “Jude & Judgment” over on my SERMONS page. (It’s Sermon 56.) I’ll present Part 3 of “Jude & Jury” – next #SundayScripture.

My testimony is featured each week here on #SundayScripture – whether it’s part of a sermon, or just me writing about the events of the past week. Hopefully it encourages you and inspires you to seek the Lord, and get closer to Him with each new day.

If you wish to learn more about the God I know then stay tuned to #SundayScripture. The best is yet to come !

Thank you for reading my blog for this day, and may:

The LORD bless you, and keep you.
The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2024 Christopher M. Day, CountUp