One Man One Heart

Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 Paul warned Christians: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world" that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Wise Christians decide that much worldly behavior is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way we think." It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed.

Christ's death provided a way for all people to come to God. It cleared away the sin that keeps us from having a right relationship with our Creator. This does not mean that everyone has been saved, but that the way has been cleared for anyone who will trust Christ to be saved. We can have peace with God and be reconciled to him by accepting Christ, who died in our place. Is there a distance between you and the Creator? Be reconciled to God. Come to him through Christ.

My parents, as you know, have been pastors of Jackson Vineyard the last 5 years. What you don’t know is they have been my pastors’ the last 25 years. I’m bias when it comes to my parents, being who they are, and what they have accomplished as husband and wife of 34 years. Three men growing in their spiritual walk with Jesus, and only Him. I am honored to be called their son. I get both worlds. Both pastors and parents. Outside the church, they are Mom and Dad. Inside the church, they are my pastors. Dad and Mom, thank you for all the lessons and teachings of who Jesus is to me, being my example of what Christ looks like through your unconditional love towards me, and thank you for allowing me to be your “Sunshine”. Okay, now to the important stuff! You see what I did there. I appreciated and thank them for what they did for me. Not only as their son, but as a church member. Growing up, did you ever thanked your Pastors and/or Leaders? There are 3 things I want you ...

The LORD appeared again to Abraham while he was camped near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day about noon, as Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent, he suddenly noticed three men standing nearby. He got up and ran to his meet them, welcoming them by bowing low to the ground. "My lord," he said, "if it pleases you, stop here for a while. Rest in the shade of this tree while my servants get some water to wash your feet. Let me prepare some food to refresh you. Please stay awhile before continuing on your journey." "All right," they said. "Do as you have said." So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, "Quick! Get three measures of your best flour, and bake some bread." Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a fat calf and told a servant to hurry and butcher it. When the food was ready, he took some cheese curds and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them t...

In Chapter 17, the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "I am the God Almighty; serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant (there's that word again) with you, by which I will guarantee to make you into a mighty nation." At this Abram fell face down in the dust. Then God said to him, "This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of not just one nation, but a multitude of nations! What's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram; now you will be known as Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will give you millions of descendants who will represent many nations. Kings will be among them! I will continue this everlasting covenant between us, generation after generation. It will continue between me and your offspring forever. And I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Yes, I will give all this land of Canaan to you and your offspring forever. And I will be your God."...

Sarah, Abram's wife, had no children. So Sarah took her servant, an Egyptian woman named Hagar, and gave her to Abram so she could bear his children. "The Lord has kept me from having any children," Sarah said to Abram. "Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her." And Abram agreed. So Sarah took Hagar and gave her to Abram as a wife. (Ten years after Abram arrived in Canaan.) So Abram slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress Sarah with contempt (disgust, scorn). Then Sarah said to Abram, "It's all your fault! Now this servant of mine is pregnant, and she dispises me, though I myself gave her the privilege of sleeping with you. The Lord will make you pay for doing this to me!" Let's recap... Sarah gave Hagar to Abram as a substitute wife, a common practice of that time. A married woman who could not have children was shamed by her peers and was o...

The Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." Abram replied, " O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since I don't have a son, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir." Then the Lord said to him, "No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you." Then the Lord brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, "Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that, too many to count!" Let's recap. Abram wasn't promised wealth or fame; he already had that. Instead, God promised descendants like the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore (22:17), too numerous to ...