Holland Grove Baptist Church, Inc.

Stay Behind His Shield…………………………

Site Manager — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:30:04 +0000

“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”(Proverbs 30:5)

When fiery darts come at us, we have to learn to stand behind the Word of God, that we’ve hidden in our hearts. Why? Because it will act as a shield for us, as a strength, a buffer or cushion. Our problems come when we step out from behind God’s shield and try and handle things on our own. People may say things about you, treat you unfairly etc., stay behind His shield! He sees and allows some things to come our way, because He’s provided the shield, but wants to see if we’ll use it?
All we have to do is trust Him, because He has our best interest at heart. So when the enemy say’s “That situation, that job, that person, will drive you crazy, you’ll lose everything, words come to harm you “God’s word says “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”(II Timothy 1:7) His shield of peace will keep out hearts from being troubled, and our minds in perfect peace, if we just stay behind His shield!

The waiting is killing me…..

Site Manager — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:20:37 +0000

(Isaiah 40:31)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”

Waiting, most people hate doing it. People run stop lights, become rude in lines, etc., because they hate to wait. But the big one is, we hate to wait when we don’t get what we want when we want it! Yes waiting may feel like it’s killing us, but not in the way we think. It’s killing our flesh, it’s teaching us to be patient. If we don’t know how to wait, we’ll make foolish decisions. Webster defines waiting like this; to stay in place in expectation;to look forward expectantly ;to hold back expectantly. The LORD is teaching us how to wait on His directions, to refrain from action until we hear His voice. It’s not that we are waiting for the Lord to catch up to our situation, we wait on His orders before moving forward. The waiting disciplines our flesh, and adjust our attitude into one of obedience. Have you ever had someone tailgate you on the road, flash the lights, zoom around you, only to sit beside you at the next light! All they did was waste gas, and drive recklessly. How many reckless decisions have we made because we didn’t want to wait? When we wait on the LORD we can expect great things to come, our faith to increase and our flesh to decease.
(Psalm 27:14)
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD”

(James 1:3-5 )
”3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”

Birthday Celebration Progam

Site Manager — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:31:33 +0000

Special Birthday Celebration Progam here at Holland Grove Baptist Church at 6:00 pm January 16, 2011

In 2011

Site Manager — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:29:13 +0000

Once again we have witness the awesome handiwork of God. Through God’s grace, and His divine providence, He has allowed us to witness a new year.

First, we must hank God from whom all blessings flow. For whatever we have witness and the way we received or perceived it, it was done by the Grace of God. As I have often said and will continue to say, The Grace of God is sufficient. Paul writes and declares all things are passed away, and behold all things become new in Christ Jesus. What is behind us is behind us, and it is time to refocus and redirect our lives according to the will of God. Paul declares that we are to press toward the mark of the prize. I declare that prize is JESUS!!

We need to be reminded of God’s unfailing and unconditional love, and His power is perfect in weaknesses (2 Cur. 12:9), because of His tender loving mercy toward us. We must know that even though God is the Creator and all powerful, He cares about each of us personally and He has plans for us that will give us a future and hope. Know that we can trust our lives to a God who knows our wants, and wants to meet our needs, and desires only what is good for us.

This year 2011 brings a lot of uncertainties, a lot of unanswered questions, and the only way to be a survivor is for us-Holland Grove Baptist Church Family to access the power of the Holy Spirit.

I feel compelled as your pastor, leader, spiritual advisor and undershepherd of the Church to try harder this year to present spiritual truths about the Holy Spirit that is timely, very simple and applicable to your life. I strongly feel that we are at the beginning stage of one of the greatest gatherings this world has ever known and will witness a great outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.

In order for us to carry out the plan of God, we must first reevaluate our lives and make the necessary adjustments for us to usher in the blessing of God. Christians must know that their lives with God can be full of new experiences everyday. Instead of merely enduring our salvation, we can enjoy the fullness that God has provided in the Holy Spirit.

As I close, I want to encourage you to do better now than you have in the past. You need to know that if you have been saved by the Grace of God, you have a calling on your life.

God bless each of you this year. I am praying that you will truly serve God, and the only way that we can serve God is by serving others. Remember to seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Apply it daily…….God’s wisdom

Site Manager — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:52:12 +0000

Proverbs 4:6-8 (Amplified)
6Forsake not [Wisdom], and she will keep, defend, and protect you; love her, and she will guard you. 7The beginning of Wisdom is: get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehension, and interpretation).(A) 8Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.

If Godly wisdom is leading us, our emotions have to fall in line. Taking our emotions out of our decision making, helps us see things with a better perspective. For example, when people go shopping for vehicles, the first thing most focus on is the look, not performance or even price. Some are so attached to having the car, they don’t count up the true costs. Wisdom goes beyond the surface and shines light on things we couldn’t or didn’t want to see. Get it and apply it daily, because the benefits to us are priceless.
(Proverbs 8:11)
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”

( Proverbs 2:6) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding”

(Proverbs 9:10) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”

( Proverbs 2:6) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding”

(Proverbs 9:10) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”

New Steps…………….

Site Manager — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:25:01 +0000

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”(Jeremiah 33:3)

What do we do when the LORD opens a door for us,but we may not be able to see everything on the other side of the door? Trust the Lord and step through it! Even when we don’t fully understand what God is doing, we have to walk in faith. He places us in positions to step into those unknown great and mighty things. We just have to be prepared to totally trust Him to guide our steps. We may feel like a child learning how to walk in the beginning but once the faith kicks in, off we go! We can’t feel our way into what God has prepared for us, because some things can’t be touched. Trusting God, means not relying on our ways; for example we call on the Lord for an answer, then when He says move, and we don’t like the direction He gives, we question if it’s Him? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thy own understanding”(Proverbs 3:5) Some of our steps may be new to us, but God knows exactly where they lead to.He always knows the end from the beginning and always has our best interest at heart.
“Happy New Year”
2011

We all need one………….a mouth guard!

Site Manager — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:02:56 +0000

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.
Mouth guards in sports are for protection of the athletes. With a boxer, they bite down on one to reduce the risk of their jaw getting broken during a fight.  When the Lord sets a guard on our mouths it’s not only for our protection, but it’s also protects anyone who comes in contact with us! Our words can cause self inflicted wounds. What we say about ourselves and situations is very important. If the Word says healing and we speak death, and our faith is attached to our words, who’s word are we really standing on?  Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Without a proper guard, our mouths will run over people mercilessly. If our words are filled with uncontrolled emotions, we’ll speak before we consider the impact of them.  Proverbs13: 3(Amp) He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. With guards come wisdom and self control. In today’s world we like to make sure that our valuables are guarded.   If we place the same worth on our words, we’ll accept the Lords guard, so that our words are secured before they leave our lips.

Praise

Site Manager — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:44:48 +0000

Focus for the Week: Praise

The opportunity to worship and praise God is an awesome privilege. Did you not know that your Praise is also a Weapon? Yes I said your praise is a weapon. The adversary (the devil) our real enemy, wants to distract us from the fact that if we simply open our mouth and heart to God in a true praise we will defeat him every time. How does he keep us from this fact? He causes us to pout about our problems, panic under pressure, doubt the deliverer, fear instead of Faith God, sit down instead of serve, abandon ship instead of achieving the victory, fracture our friendships and fellowship and fall out with one another. He knows that if we take our eyes off the real issue, problem and enemy we will defeat ourselves. I come to remind us today to put our eyes back on God, just a Peter did when he began to sink, cry out to God and then remain in a constant Spirit of Praise. When the Lord hears our praise it is simply and invitation for him to come and sit in our midst, in our situation and our circumstance. Joshua and his people used the weapon of Praise in Jericho and their walls came down. Start praising God like never before and watch walls come down in your life. We serve and awesome and might God who is deserving of all our praise. From the rising of the sun till the going down of the same he is worthy to be praise. Jesus loves the sound of Praise!

Thanksgiving Surprise!

Site Manager — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:39:12 +0000

Thanksgiving Surprise!

Ingredient list

Love

Forgiveness

Joy

Peace

Compassion

Longsuffering

Humility

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Psalm 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jude 1:21-23

21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

From our family to yours Happy Thanksgiving!

Mix the first 6 ingredients in equal parts (100%) together and wrap them in humility and serve. Please do not serve lukewarm or cold. This dish won’t leave any hearts broken or wounded spirits. This is a dish we can all serve and partake in, and the great thing about it, it’s calorie free!

Wisdom

Site Manager — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:06:40 +0000

James 3:17

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always right.

Ever feel that way? So many of us—men as well as women—fell into the trap of self-absorption and act as if we are the only one with a valid perspective. After all, what are most arguments about but a struggle for the distinction of being “right?” The thing is, sometime we’re right, and sometimes we’re wrong. And sometimes when we’re right, we are wrong in the way we handle the situation—because being right is not necessarily the same as being wise.

The Bible teaches us that wisdom is pure. My idea of bring “right” is rarely pure. It is all about me and my reputation. The Bible also says that wisdom is peace-loving, gentle at all times, and—here’s the real kicker—willing to yield to others. That is definitely not my version of wisdom. My version results in frustration, while true wisdom results in mercy, good deeds, and sincerity.

Imagine what our relationships would be like if we admitted when we were wrong and were quick to show mercy when the other person was wrong. In all relationships, this means sometimes yielding the control and making compromises. And in a marriage, this might mean yielding a situation to your husband and then having mercy if he is indeed wrong. Sometimes we must yield the control and trust the Lord to be the guardian of justice.

In one of your relationships, is there some tension about who is right and wrong? Stop and ask God for His Wisdom. When you are tempted to fight for your way, ask God for peace, and respond with mercy and sincerity—what an amazing testimony of God’s love you can be.

Meditation

Site Manager — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:43:07 +0000

Fable of the porcupine

It was the coldest winter ever. - Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to g o back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

Moral of the story: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.

The Moral of the story!……….LEARN TO LOVE THE PRICKS IN YOUR LIFE

Scripture: Romans 15 (New International Version © 2010)

Romans 15

1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”^[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

“Praise Worthy”

Site Manager — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:44:51 +0000

“I will extol You, my God, O King
And I will bless Your name forever and ever
Everyday I will bless You,And I will praise Your name forever and ever,
Great is the Lord, and is greatly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145: 1-3)

To extol the Lord God, means to praise Him highly! Not thinking about just what He’s done for us, but for who He is. Because He’s our God, he deserves our praise no matter what’s going on in us or with us. His greatness is truly unsearchable, and unmatchable, there is no one greater. His love for us is unmeasurable, His patience with us more than we deserve and His protection always present in our lives. Everyday we should praise Him, because it would take forever and than some to thank Him for just being GOD.

Apply it daily…….God’s wisdom

Site Manager — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:22:18 +0000

( Proverbs 2:6) “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding”

(Proverbs 9:10) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”

(Proverbs 8:11)
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”

The Right Words…….How do we choose?

Site Manager — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:39:58 +0000

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” We have heard this for years, but is it true? Not really. Words may not leave a visible bruise, but they leave a wound on the heart.

Proverbs 6:2
“Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth”

Sometimes we get caught up in situations, because of our choice of words. At times we speak reactionary words, based on our emotions at the moment. Not a good habit to form! Why? Because those words are the ones, we wish we could take back later.

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit”(Proverbs17:27) If we take control of our lips, and slow our response, we give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to lead us to the right words.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer”(Psalm 19:14)

Meditation

Site Manager — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:56:22 +0000

Lord as we seek you for guidance, pruning and perfection please search our hearts. Allow us to be able to hear your voice and follow your ways. When we are wrong and even when we are right let us seek you for direction. For only you can put us back on the right path. To prune means to clip, trim, cut back or reduce things that are hindering us from reaching our full potential. Father keep us during the pruning season so that we can grow beyond the break.

Scripture John 15:1-2

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Pressed, to bring out our best………

Site Manager — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:53:57 +0000

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not (2 Corinthians 4: 7-9)

Familiar phrases we hear so many use; “I feel pressed” Pressed for time, decisions, pressed by situations etc., But good things can come from being pressed! “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”(Romans 8:28) I was looking at how a olive goes through the process of becoming the most desired olive oil. Not just any old olive is chosen for this process, they have to be selected (them that are called). Then they are washed to remove the impurities, then pressed by a large weighted mill stone, to extract the oil. But before it can be used, the water in the liquid must be separated from the pure oil by being basically being spun. What does this have to do with us? Those things or test that may press us, will bring out the anointing in us! It will reveal the impurities and cause us to separate from those things that don’t mix with what God has for our lives. In that press, our obedience is to the Lord’s direction is essential! He won’t allow the press to kill us, just to bring out the best. So we can’t just focus on the right now discomfort of the press, we have to visualize the oil. It’s interesting to know that an olive in itself is only good for food consumption (limited use), but after it’s pressed the oil can be used in cooking, medicine, beauty treatments, and many more things! So don’t fret the press, look forward to the oil.

“If Our Hearts Aren’t In It”

Site Manager — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:26:07 +0000

Psalm 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Our heart’s tell all! When it’s been wounded, we can either allow God to heal it, or let it turn cold. A cold heart will cause us to become distant in relationships. Distance breeds animosity and causes our hearts to become hard. A hard heart is filled bitterness and anger. Proverbs 14:10 (Amp) The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy. Have you ever known someone who just lashes out at everyone around them? What’s in our hearts will fuel our words. What’s worst then a hard heart? An indifferent one. A heart that’s lost all passion, and just doesn’t care. Having little or no interest, spiritless. It’s when all the fight is gone out of a person. Imagine if the Lord was like that with us? How many relationships have been destroyed because of these things? Keeping our hearts right before the Lord is something we can’t put off, it’s to much at stake. The enemy looks for wounded hearts, so he can speed up the decaying process. If we keep our hearts before Him, the enemy won’t have the access. It doesn’t mean we won’t be hurt or feel these things, but if we allow the Lord in and be honest about what’s going on, He will heal our hearts. Psalm 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. David said it best when his heart was decaying…. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Special Delivery

Site Manager — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:38:22 +0000

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.”(IICorinthians 3:17)

Freedom!!! We have been delivered from the bondage of the enemy! We no longer are bound by satans influence. We have a new mission in the will of God. In many historical battles, soldiers were deemed ‘delivers of freedom’. Many died to provide it for others. Yet many whom they died for, were so use to the bondage, they unknowingly remained in the same condition by choice. Deliverance only works, if you receive it. If someone sends you a package, and you send it back, it’s stamped “delivery rejected” You won’t get what’s in the package unless you take ownership of it. How many times has God tried to send His Spirit that brings liberty, and been rejected? God is sending His Spirit, all we have to do is accept the delivery.

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Commanded Blessings

Site Manager — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:27:46 +0000

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God”
(Deuteronomy 28:1-2, NIV)

There is a blessing that God has for every one of His children that will cause you to rise out of lack into abundance! It will take you from barely getting by to living in overflow. It brings supernatural increase! We were never created to drag through life constantly struggling. If we’re going to receive His blessings, we have to come into agreement with His Word in our minds, hearts and actions.

This commanded blessing is found in Deuteronomy 28. It tells us that if we will live a life that honors God and obey His Word, then all these blessings will chase us down and overtake us. It says that you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. God will open up to you His good treasury and cause you to lend and not borrow. He will make you plenteous in goods and give you a surplus of increase.

Today, let this truth sink down into your spirit: the Creator of the universe has commanded blessing upon you. Receive it today and choose to walk in complete obedience to Him!

Blessed Wherever You Go

Site Manager — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:08:37 +0000

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands…you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country”
(Deuteronomy 28:1-3, NIV)

Do you want to experience more of God’s blessing in your life? Living in obedience and integrity is the key that unlocks the door to His abundance. When you put God and His Word first place in your life, the Bible says you’ll be blessed in the city and in the country—you’ll be blessed wherever you go!

This chapter in the Bible goes on to say that you will be so blessed that you will lend and not borrow. Can you see yourself in that position? Can you see yourself living in that kind of abundance?

See, God doesn’t want you to be living with a barely-get-by attitude. We don’t serve a barely-get-by God; our God is more than enough! He wants you to have more than enough to meet your needs and be a blessing to the people around you.

I encourage you today to make room in your life for the blessing of God. Choose to live in obedience to His Word. Choose to follow His commands. As you do, you will rise up higher and live the abundant life God has for you!