As you can see, what was once The Olive Branch has changed. New name, new look, new layout. And lots of good things in store. Our mission is the same. We hope you will continue in your journey with us as we serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God bless!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for instilling in us a desire to serve Your kingdom. Lord, we are so far from perfect, yet You equip us and use us for Your glory. We love You, Lord, and seek to complete the work you set before us. Help us to reach those who desire to know You more. It is in Your name we pray, Amen.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The Devastation of Sin
by Charity Pence
This Week's Verse: Psalm 1:6 "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." (NKJ)
What comes to mind when you think of sin? I've been reading through the book of Psalms, and there is a particular passage that stands out to me. "There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness." Psalm 38:3-5. My wounds are foul and festering. When I picture that, I see a terrible, painful sore oozing with pus. It's a nasty image, isn't it? But that is exactly what sin does to us.
The consequences of freely partaking in sin can be devastating. Sin weakens our body and makes us physically ill. David, the writer of the 38th Psalm, understood this very well. The physical toll is not the worst consequence, though. Sin wedges itself between us and God, causing a separation between us and our Heavenly Father. Isaiah 6:3 tells us God is holy, holy, holy. And in 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 we are reminded, "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore, he who rejects this does not reject man but God, who also has given us His holy spirit." So in choosing sin, we forsake God. For how can we stand in His presence, He who is most holy, when we are full of sin?
We can find comfort in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Whew. We can breathe easier now, right? Perhaps. But only if we've truly repented and made Christ our Lord. The question is this: if we are freely partaking in sin, are we truly repenting? Or are we foolish enough to think sinning is okay because we can repent for it later and be forgiven? Now don't get me wrong. The Bible assures us of God's grace and forgiveness. But that means we have to continually check ourselves and be sure we are truly striving to resist sin. This is where prayer comes in. The truth is, we can't do this on our own. We have a sinful nature. However, God fills us with His strength when we pray which allows us to resist the temptations we are faced with daily. Prayer is our strongest tool. We should use it more often.
Dear Heavenly Father, You know what sins we struggle with daily. You know the burden sin places on us. You call us to a life without sin because you know the damage it causes. Therefore, be with us, O Lord. Please fill us with your strength so we can resist the traps set for us by the devil. We are your children, and we wish to draw near to You. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Application: When you find yourself tempted this week, call out to God. He will always show us the correct path as long as we seek it.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Titus 2:11, 12 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."
This Week's Verse: Psalm 1:6 "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish." (NKJ)
What comes to mind when you think of sin? I've been reading through the book of Psalms, and there is a particular passage that stands out to me. "There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness." Psalm 38:3-5. My wounds are foul and festering. When I picture that, I see a terrible, painful sore oozing with pus. It's a nasty image, isn't it? But that is exactly what sin does to us.
The consequences of freely partaking in sin can be devastating. Sin weakens our body and makes us physically ill. David, the writer of the 38th Psalm, understood this very well. The physical toll is not the worst consequence, though. Sin wedges itself between us and God, causing a separation between us and our Heavenly Father. Isaiah 6:3 tells us God is holy, holy, holy. And in 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 we are reminded, "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore, he who rejects this does not reject man but God, who also has given us His holy spirit." So in choosing sin, we forsake God. For how can we stand in His presence, He who is most holy, when we are full of sin?
We can find comfort in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Whew. We can breathe easier now, right? Perhaps. But only if we've truly repented and made Christ our Lord. The question is this: if we are freely partaking in sin, are we truly repenting? Or are we foolish enough to think sinning is okay because we can repent for it later and be forgiven? Now don't get me wrong. The Bible assures us of God's grace and forgiveness. But that means we have to continually check ourselves and be sure we are truly striving to resist sin. This is where prayer comes in. The truth is, we can't do this on our own. We have a sinful nature. However, God fills us with His strength when we pray which allows us to resist the temptations we are faced with daily. Prayer is our strongest tool. We should use it more often.
Dear Heavenly Father, You know what sins we struggle with daily. You know the burden sin places on us. You call us to a life without sin because you know the damage it causes. Therefore, be with us, O Lord. Please fill us with your strength so we can resist the traps set for us by the devil. We are your children, and we wish to draw near to You. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Application: When you find yourself tempted this week, call out to God. He will always show us the correct path as long as we seek it.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Titus 2:11, 12 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."
Sunday, January 6, 2013
A New Day
by Charity Pence
This Week's Verse: "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 (NKJ)
There was a time when I looked forward to New Year's. I'd jot down my resolutions and then ring in the new year with family. We'd bang pots and pans, cheer, have a toast for all the good to come. The new year always held such potential. Regardless of what occurred the prior year, I could smile and be joyful. A new year brought a new day, new opportunities.
Each year, a bit of that excitement slips through my fingers as I'm reminded that one day doesn't change anything. Not really. On New Year's Eve, when the clock strikes midnight, there's no magic wand that waves away our struggles. And, thankfully, our blessings are not waved away, either. Instead, life goes on in one continuous loop that seems to speed up and never slows down. And you know what I recently realized? I don't mind. Okay, I wouldn't mind if time slowed, but I don't mind that time occurs in a continuous cycle.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." (NKJ) The point is, there really is a time for everything. Seasons change, circumstances change. And it all happens in God's time. So rather than see January 1st as a new day for change, I try to appreciate each and every day because every day has potential for change. When life gets tough, I accept struggles as lessons for patience (although not always gracefully), knowing that the trial will pass. I try to focus on the blessings because they don't end when the year ends.
In the midst of the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of a new year. But every day is a new day. And even more amazing, God's right there with us. He will hold our hand, wipe our tears, laugh with us, hold us up. Whatever we need, every day of the year, we can count on God to provide.
So don't focus so much on January 1st. Every day is a new day, and God is with us to celebrate.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me I don't need a new year to see Your glory. I don't need to wait until next year to find joy. Instead of focusing on a new year, help us to look upon each day as we do the new year. Every day holds promise; every day You are there. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:1 "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." (NKJ)
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." (NKJ)
This Week's Verse: "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 (NKJ)
There was a time when I looked forward to New Year's. I'd jot down my resolutions and then ring in the new year with family. We'd bang pots and pans, cheer, have a toast for all the good to come. The new year always held such potential. Regardless of what occurred the prior year, I could smile and be joyful. A new year brought a new day, new opportunities.
Each year, a bit of that excitement slips through my fingers as I'm reminded that one day doesn't change anything. Not really. On New Year's Eve, when the clock strikes midnight, there's no magic wand that waves away our struggles. And, thankfully, our blessings are not waved away, either. Instead, life goes on in one continuous loop that seems to speed up and never slows down. And you know what I recently realized? I don't mind. Okay, I wouldn't mind if time slowed, but I don't mind that time occurs in a continuous cycle.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." (NKJ) The point is, there really is a time for everything. Seasons change, circumstances change. And it all happens in God's time. So rather than see January 1st as a new day for change, I try to appreciate each and every day because every day has potential for change. When life gets tough, I accept struggles as lessons for patience (although not always gracefully), knowing that the trial will pass. I try to focus on the blessings because they don't end when the year ends.
In the midst of the holiday season, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of a new year. But every day is a new day. And even more amazing, God's right there with us. He will hold our hand, wipe our tears, laugh with us, hold us up. Whatever we need, every day of the year, we can count on God to provide.
So don't focus so much on January 1st. Every day is a new day, and God is with us to celebrate.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me I don't need a new year to see Your glory. I don't need to wait until next year to find joy. Instead of focusing on a new year, help us to look upon each day as we do the new year. Every day holds promise; every day You are there. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Psalm 16:1 "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." (NKJ)
Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." (NKJ)
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Caleb and Joshua
Today as I consider the Numbers story of Caleb and Joshua, I wonder how often we as Christians back up our faith with courage. In Numbers chapter 13, we are told that spies were sent to the land of Canaan. Among those spies were Caleb and Joshua. After spying on the land for forty days, the spies returned to Moses and the Israelites.
The children of Israel surely were expecting a good report. They had been delivered from the Egyptians and were ready to claim the land promised to them by God. Caleb did indeed give a good report. However, verse 31 says, "But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.'" The congregation then wept. After everything they witnessed God do for them, they allowed a few men to convince them they could not fight against the inhabitants of Canaan.
Yet Caleb and Joshua believed in God. They had faith. And they were ready to back up their faith with courage. In Numbers 14:8-9, Caleb and Joshua tell the Israelites, "If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."
Caleb and Joshua were ready to go, even though the spies who accompanied them were not. And when Caleb and Joshua tried to change the minds of the Israelites, they said Caleb and Joshua should be stoned!
The question I have to ask myself after reading this passage is this: would I have the courage to go where God sends me? If everyone around me was too afraid, would I have the courage to trust God and go alone? That's a question we all need to ask ourselves.
The children of Israel surely were expecting a good report. They had been delivered from the Egyptians and were ready to claim the land promised to them by God. Caleb did indeed give a good report. However, verse 31 says, "But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.'" The congregation then wept. After everything they witnessed God do for them, they allowed a few men to convince them they could not fight against the inhabitants of Canaan.
Yet Caleb and Joshua believed in God. They had faith. And they were ready to back up their faith with courage. In Numbers 14:8-9, Caleb and Joshua tell the Israelites, "If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."
Caleb and Joshua were ready to go, even though the spies who accompanied them were not. And when Caleb and Joshua tried to change the minds of the Israelites, they said Caleb and Joshua should be stoned!
The question I have to ask myself after reading this passage is this: would I have the courage to go where God sends me? If everyone around me was too afraid, would I have the courage to trust God and go alone? That's a question we all need to ask ourselves.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Being Vigilant
by Charity Pence
This Week's Verse: "Be sober, be vigilant; because the adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Isn't it amazing how we can read something in the Bible and get one message, but the next time we read it we get something else? God does this to me all the time, and maybe you've had this experience also. 1 Peter 5:8 is a verse I've long been familiar with. In fact, it is one I have posted on a wall in my house. Every time I've considered that verse, I always took it to mean that we have to resist temptation. And I think that's a fair interpretation. However, this morning as I was doing my "God time," I was shown something else. You see, I'm also very familiar with 1 Peter 5:6-7. However, for whatever reason, I've never associated those verses with the ones following. In my mind I have separated them as if they were two different messages. Cast your cares upon the Lord. Okay, don't worry; trust that God will take care of our needs/circumstances. Be sober, be vigilant. Okay, be aware of the devil's schemes. All that makes sense right? But what God reminded me of was that the devil doesn't just tempt us to separate us from God. He also tries to hinder us, to turn our focus.
This is an area that was causing me quite a struggle recently. The devil was keeping me so busy with negative circumstances that I was keeping my focus on my "worries" instead of on God. But when reading verses 6-9 as one passage, I am reminded that we have to remain vigilant because the devil will try to destroy us with negative circumstances. But instead of giving in, we are to give those concerns to God and be comforted that we are not alone in our struggles. The devil does this to our brothers and sisters in Christ because he wants nothing more than to keep us away from God.
I heard something else recently in a sermon. The devil doesn't mess with us because he wants our souls doomed with him. His true focus is on God, who he hates so much that he doesn't want God to win. To the devil, we are just casualties in his war. Is that what you want to be? A casualty? Or do you want to be one of God's warriors?
Ephesians 6:13, 14 gives us this challenge, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand." Don't give in. Be God's warrior and fight the devil. Don't let him use you as his pawn in his battle against God.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are so amazing. Thank You for this revelation You have given. I needed this reminder, Lord. Thank You for equiping me to be Your warrior. Please help me when I grow weary. I refuse to become a casualty. I want to be Your warrior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
This Week's Verse: "Be sober, be vigilant; because the adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Isn't it amazing how we can read something in the Bible and get one message, but the next time we read it we get something else? God does this to me all the time, and maybe you've had this experience also. 1 Peter 5:8 is a verse I've long been familiar with. In fact, it is one I have posted on a wall in my house. Every time I've considered that verse, I always took it to mean that we have to resist temptation. And I think that's a fair interpretation. However, this morning as I was doing my "God time," I was shown something else. You see, I'm also very familiar with 1 Peter 5:6-7. However, for whatever reason, I've never associated those verses with the ones following. In my mind I have separated them as if they were two different messages. Cast your cares upon the Lord. Okay, don't worry; trust that God will take care of our needs/circumstances. Be sober, be vigilant. Okay, be aware of the devil's schemes. All that makes sense right? But what God reminded me of was that the devil doesn't just tempt us to separate us from God. He also tries to hinder us, to turn our focus.
This is an area that was causing me quite a struggle recently. The devil was keeping me so busy with negative circumstances that I was keeping my focus on my "worries" instead of on God. But when reading verses 6-9 as one passage, I am reminded that we have to remain vigilant because the devil will try to destroy us with negative circumstances. But instead of giving in, we are to give those concerns to God and be comforted that we are not alone in our struggles. The devil does this to our brothers and sisters in Christ because he wants nothing more than to keep us away from God.
I heard something else recently in a sermon. The devil doesn't mess with us because he wants our souls doomed with him. His true focus is on God, who he hates so much that he doesn't want God to win. To the devil, we are just casualties in his war. Is that what you want to be? A casualty? Or do you want to be one of God's warriors?
Ephesians 6:13, 14 gives us this challenge, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, stand." Don't give in. Be God's warrior and fight the devil. Don't let him use you as his pawn in his battle against God.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are so amazing. Thank You for this revelation You have given. I needed this reminder, Lord. Thank You for equiping me to be Your warrior. Please help me when I grow weary. I refuse to become a casualty. I want to be Your warrior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
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