​As Thanksgiving has arrived on the calendar this year, it is a wonderful season to reflect on the things in life and the many blessings we have in our lives.  Having a family is a blessing.  Having a job is a blessing.  Having a home or a place to live is a blessing.  Having a church to attend is a blessing.  Having a pastor is a blessing.  Having brothers and sisters in Christ is a blessing.  Having bills that are paid is a blessing.  People should remember that there are things they have that so many other people do not.  If individuals are not careful, they may begin to see what they are missing more than how blessed they are with what they do have within their lives.  This can be a deception that begins to breed discontentment.  One of the best methods to overcome this problem is to be thankful.  To be thankful is defined as being conscious of a benefit received, expressing gratitude, or being glad.  The Bible’s definition of thanks is to be grateful, express gratitude, and be thankful.  In both of these definitions, people are to express gratitude for what they have received.  Christians, especially, should be thankful and give thanks unto God (Ephesians 5:20).  It seems to be a growing trend of skipping from Halloween to Christmas and leaving out Thanksgiving.  This typically reflects a celebration of darkness, then jumping to a celebration of giving gifts to others and receiving gifts.  For some people, during this time of year, they use the Thanksgiving holiday as a reminder to be thankful.  This should be a constant attitude within the hearts of the people to be thankful all year long.  Even with this mindset, a person does not have to be thankful “for” bad situations or bad things but be thankful “in” those situations (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  What is there to be thankful for “in” those situations?  If a person is a Christian, they have Jesus as their Savior (John 3:36), God as their Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), and the Holy Spirit as their Comforter (John 14:26) and Guide (Romans 8:14).  The will of Jesus Christ for His people is to be thankful by rejoicing and praying every day (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  As Christians serve God and are faithful to Him, they begin to remember His benefits (Psalm 103:2).  This should be a motivation to serve God throughout the whole year and be thankful for Who He is, as opposed to only having this attitude one day on Thanksgiving.  When God’s people have the fruit of the Holy Spirit of peace (Galatians 5:22) and the peace of Christ rules their hearts there is a thankful attitude (Colossians 3:15).  Thanksgiving should not only be a time of gathering with family and friends to be thankful for them but also a time for those gathered to recount or testify of what God has done within their lives that they are thankful for (Psalm 9:1).  The best testimony that any person can have is to be thankful that God sent His Son Jesus to be beaten so His people could have healing in their bodies (1 Peter 2:24), gave His life as the Supreme Sacrifice for salvation (1 John 2:2), resurrected having dominion over death (Romans 6:9), and now sits at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:12).  With a life that is not perfect by their actions, but given power to overcome sin (1 John 5:4) and spiritual enemies (James 4:7), Christians should be thankful in today’s time.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​Many people remember hearing about the children of Israel and Joshua, their pastor, who led them to overcome the fortified city of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-27).  This is a wonderful reminder of the victory afforded to God’s people when they submit to Him and follow His instructions.  At times, Christians will hinder their own Jericho walls from falling due to building the bricks to keep making the wall higher, or replacing the bricks as the walls begin to fall.  Either way, this is hindering their victory over the Jericho in their lives.  Serving God requires submission and sanctification to Him (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:6; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 4:22-24).  This submission is made evident by His people obeying the instructions He gives them.  For Jericho, God told Joshua to have the people march around the city one time per day for six days with seven priests in front of the Ark of the Covenant carrying a ram’s horn (Joshua 6:3-4).  On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times with the priests blowing the horns, and the people were to shout as loud as they could for the walls to come down (Joshua 6:4-5).  As Joshua relays the instructions given by God, he also adds instructions because of his knowledge of the people.  Joshua added for the people not to say a word until they are given the command to shout (Joshua 6:10).  As any good pastor, Joshua knew there would be grumbling, complaining, and arguing among the people, so his command is to prevent this extra talk from hindering the walls of Jericho from falling.  Some Christians desire to see the Jericho in their life have its walls come down to obtain victory in that area of life.  That Jericho could be weight issues, depression, sickness, adultery, fornication, lying, gossip, substance abuse, or whatever issue seems to be fortified in one’s life.  When God’s people begin to give voice to doubt, fear, or the spiritual enemy in any form, they are hindering their own Jericho from falling and obtaining the victory God has for them.  It is one thing to combat the spiritual enemies to obtain victory, but it is another to be adding bricks to the wall that one believes will come down.  The Word of God describes the power that is in the tongue and how a person can have what they say (Mark 11:23; Proverbs 18:21; Revelation 12:11; Matthew 12:36; Psalm 141:3).  This reflects the importance of holding on to one’s confession of the Word of God (Hebrews 10:23; Ephesians 4:29; Romans 10:9; 1 Timothy 6:12).  The challenge is not in keeping one’s mouth silent, but changing the confession of defeat, doubt, unbelief from the spiritual enemy to a confession of faith, victory, and strength from the Word of God.  When the spiritual enemy can get into the mind of God’s people and play mind games, he has a better opportunity to have victory over them.  It is when God’s people realize who they are in Jesus Christ, speaking the Word of God, and marching around their Jericho, obeying God’s instructions, that the enemy knows defeat is coming their way (Revelation 12:11; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4-5; Joshua 1:9; Hebrews 11:30; John 16:33).  May Christians not hinder their Jericho from falling but obey God to see victory obtained in their life giving glory and honor to God.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​Many Christians may read a title like this and not see the importance of such a topic, but there are also many Christians who think it is only important to be godly when they are at church or around other church people.  Having a character that is clean, holy, and full of faith is not just for when a person is at church, but when a person is living life in their daily routines.  Some people lean into the definition of a character as being a fictional person who is not genuinely connected to their personality.  That mindset causes instability in not only one’s faith but in everything they do (James 1:8; James 4:8; Ephesians 4:14; Psalm 119:113).  This is not the design God has for His people to live by.  Christians should be a representation of Jesus Christ, wherever they are (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20). Christians are not to conform to this world, its standards of living, its flippant attitude, or its sinful desires (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:15-16). They are to be a new creation in Jesus Christ, taking on the new mind God desires them to have, and being that caliber of person everywhere they go (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Isaiah 26:3; Colossians 3:2).  God’s people are to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).  As Christians live their lives, they are to do everything in the name of Jesus, honoring God (Colossians 3:17).  They are to let their light so shine before other people (Matthew 5:14-16).  Christians are to do things without grumbling, disputing, and being blameless in their lifestyle (Philippians 2:14-15).  God’s people are to imitate Him and reflect Jesus Christ within their lives (Ephesians 5:1-2).  This is the true definition of character as moral excellence and firmness in those values.  These characteristics mark this person of being distinct from a breed, strain, or type because they make up that person’s core beliefs.  When Christians are godly everywhere, this reflects that they have allowed God to be at the center of their existence, not a fictional character they put on for church times.  God’s people cannot afford to fake a relationship with Him or to only have the godly mindset when it seems appropriate.  Unrighteousness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:5; Galatians 5:21).  When a person has the habitual lifestyle of unrighteousness, they are serving the devil and are not of God (1 John 3:8).  It is those who not only declare their relationship with God, but walk in their fellowship with God daily who truly belong to God (1 John 3:7; 1 John 3:9).  The difference between these groups is the fruit of their lifestyle everywhere they go, not based on their attitude in certain places (1 John 3:10).  The discipline required to remain in godly character helps yield the fruit of righteousness in a person’s life (Hebrews 12:11).  This discipline does not reflect an easy time in life but the necessary knowledge and application of the Word of God to reflect God’s standard of conduct in any given circumstance (James 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 15:8; John 15:5; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 3:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Christians should be godly everywhere and in every season of life to give God the honor, glory, and praise He deserves, not only from His people but through His people.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​For many people today, there are church activities that have biblical names but not biblical foundations.  Discipleship is such an example of this activity.  Most modern discipleship programs within churches are gatherings of men or women that discuss cultural topics, such as movies, songs, hobbies, or other aspects of everyday life.  This is not the biblical definition of discipleship.  Biblical discipleship involves teaching the Word of God, practicing the Word of God, and allowing personal time for disciples to ask their disciple maker questions.  Jesus discusses this point as He tells His disciples, 'If you remain in My Word, you are truly My disciples' (John 8:31). Jesus even makes a distinction between those who believe in Him and those who remain in His Word (John 8:31).  The Apostles, as early church founders, discipled like Jesus did giving teaching and doctrine for their disciples to devote themselves to (Acts 2:42).  If modern culture is the topic of discussions what are modern disciples able to build their lives on or devote themselves to?  Everything would be of the world’s system, not God’s kingdom or His Word.  Jesus challenges everyone who desires to be His disciple to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25).  Disciples of Jesus should walk in the same way He walked (1 John 2:6).  For many people, they will not make the effort or take the time to study how to be a disciple of Jesus on their own without some form of accountability from a spiritual leader.  This discipleship is not about getting together to discuss personal likes and dislikes, but the leaders discussing topics from the Word of God for the disciple to know how to live for God.  How are people to know how Jesus walked if a leader does not disciple them from the Word of God?  What is left to use as a reference if the Word of God is not the source for this discipleship?  The Apostle Paul knew this concept of living like Jesus and having his disciples imitate his Christian walk, not his personal preferences (Philippians 3:17).  Leaders are also held accountable for the souls of others they have been assigned to by God (Hebrews 13:17).  This is not solely based on pastors at churches, but includes disciplemakers with their disciples.  Those who disciple others will have to give an account to God of how they discipled their people.  Gathering people will not be what pleases God, but teaching from the Word of God on how to live a holy, clean life will be what pleases God due to the example Jesus gave when teaching His disciples (Matthew 5-7).  Not only did Jesus teach sermons, but He also gave multiple parables to teach people who gathered to listen to Him.  Jesus only expounded on those parables in private with His disciples (Mark 4:30-32).  This lets Christians know that sermon messages or teachings spoken from the pulpit are not discipleship moments, but allow the Word of God to go into the lives of many.  It is disciples who take time to be around their leader in private who can receive the deeper study of messages and learn how to apply it to their lives with accuracy.  Jesus’ disciples learned in private but applied the lessons to become the apostles and changed Christianity for all time.  May Christians of today become less focused on gathering together and calling it discipleship, and become focused on being biblical by making disciples the way Jesus did.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​When someone asks, “What is Christianity all about?”, many people will discuss Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection.  This is biblically sound and correct, but many times when this question is asked, it is not about the history of events that are desired to be discussed.  Instead, it is the application of Christianity to the person asking.  This answer is also straightforward and builds upon the previous answer regarding Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  The application of Christianity is answering the call to go higher.  One may ask why Jesus was sent to the earth.  The answer is to allow anyone who wants a personal relationship with God to be able to do so through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  In other words, to answer the call to go higher than any earthly relationship and to have an eternal relationship (John 3:3).  One may ask why Jesus died and did not establish an earthly kingdom for God in the natural realm.  The answer is Jesus became the supreme sacrifice to allow everyone’s sins to be forgiven who desires to have eternal life through a new covenant with God (John 3:16).  This reflects answering the call to go higher in leaving the sins of one’s past behind to become a new person in Christ Jesus.  One may ask why Jesus was resurrected from the grave.  The answer is Jesus became victorious over sin, death, Hell, and the grave to allow all of those who place faith in Him to become victorious when they answer the call to go higher, not only in their present life but also in their eternity to be with God where He is (Ephesians 4:8; Psalm 68:18).  This is not where Christianity stops with the call to go higher, but only the beginning.  After Christians are born again, they must choose to consistently answer the call to go higher in their holiness and dedication to God the Father by obeying Jesus, their Lord and Master, as well as being led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:17; Romans 8:14).  It is a person’s fleshly desire to sin, and the spiritual enemies of the cross who want to plant the idea within the minds of Christians not to answer the call to go higher in their dedication and consecration unto God after they become a Christian.  When this takes place, Christians no longer go from faith to faith, from glory to glory, but remain the same and do not advance in what God has called them higher, as the next portion of their life’s work or vision He has for them to accomplish.  This leaves many Christians frustrated, seeking things outside the Word of God, or just turning their back on God due to their own flesh being given attention instead of submitting to the call of God to continue in their relationship with Him.  A man and woman cannot reach 40 years of marriage together if they do not submit their heart and actions to remain faithful and grow together in each season of life to not only to their spouse but to their covenant with one another.  This same concept is what God is looking for among Christians in their relationship with Him (Ephesians 5:22-33).  They should continue to grow by studying the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), praying regularly, finding the church God has called them to be a part of (1 Corinthians 12:18), faithfully being a part of that church, and doing these things consistently to go from faith to faith within their life.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​While many people are not bothered by harboring bitterness towards various individuals, a defilement occurs with this root of bitterness.  Hebrews 12:15 says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”.  When people allow bitterness to enter their lives, it corrupts their hearts and the lives of those around them.  Bitterness is defined as acridity, pungent in taste or odor, poison, marked by intensity as in severe pain or suffering, intense animosity.  This root grew because a person allowed offense to take place and did not remove it from their life.  Allowing this root to grow disobeys the Word of God by giving the devil a foothold or place within their life (Ephesians 4:27).  Offense is typically an action that goes against someone’s pride or manner of thinking they deem as acceptable or correct.  When this happens, each person is faced with two choices.  Choice one, be offended and let this root of bitterness begin to grow and bring defilement in many directions.  Choice two, use the truth of God’s Word to judge the situation and make the proper changes necessary to be correct in that area. Bitterness is a choice, much like any other attitude.  When this emotion is chosen, it brings a defilement that must be combated with the truth of God’s Word.  There are no other truths except Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh (John 14:6; John 1:14).  When each person has their own truth, they are allowing self-deception to cloud their mind and judgment.  Deception is not victory, and self-deception is only lying to oneself to bring a false sense of security.  When people only see themselves as victims, they will never be victors, achieving the winning attitude necessary to overcome the obstacles in life meant to cause loss.  Offense is the seed, but bitterness is the produce taking root within one’s mental faculties, killing any other growth that brings nutrients to one’s life.  The root of bitterness is spread by the mouth or by actions that begin to grow in others who are in the vicinity of the person allowing this root to grow.  The Apostle Paul writes to let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be put away from each person along with malice (Ephesians 4:31).  The answer to bitterness and offense is the Word of God (Psalm 119:165).  When a person allows the Word of God to be the truth present in their life, everything else is judged by God’s Word as correct or incorrect (Hebrews 4:12).  This judgment also includes one’s emotions of how to react to situations of every kind one will encounter.  Emotions should be regulated by self-control to ensure reactions are not causing one to sin (Matthew 6:14-15; Colossians 3:13; Philippians 4:6-7).  When one’s mind is not set on the Word of God directing one’s emotions, the mind is set on flesh, which becomes hostile to God due to a root of bitterness (Romans 8:7).  Christians especially should set their hearts, minds, and emotions on the truth of God’s Word and make the appropriate changes to align with His truth rather than ignore or become bitter at His Word because of offense (Romans 12:1-2).  God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the truth of God’s Word have not and will not change.  May Christians align themselves with God and His Word, and may others align themselves with God through salvation in Jesus Christ.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org. 

​Many people today attempt to bring modern culture or ideologies into Christianity.  Many miss the point that God does not desire the culture of the world to be in His house, but for His culture to pour out from His house into the lives of His people.  This occurs when Christians submit to Jesus as the head of the church, the head of His body, and the head of each Christian’s life.  Each Christian plays a part in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12:4-5).  No matter a person’s background or struggles, when a person is born again, they become a new creation in Christ and are now a part of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:16; Galatians 3:28).  When a Christian refuses to submit to the Word of God, the leading of the Holy Spirit, or allow Jesus to be their head as the Lord and Master of their life, they are attempting to be the body of Christ without the head, Jesus (Colossians 1:18,23; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 1:22-23).  Even in the natural, a body cannot live without the head because it sends signals to the body to keep the heart beating, the lungs breathing, and every organ doing its function.  The head brings life by allowing the messages sent to each organ and body part to live.  Jesus said He came to bring life and life abundantly (John 10:10; John 3:16; John 14:6; Romans 6:23).  Why do so many Christians believe they can live as the body of Christ without His presence in their lives?  The answer is the replacement of Jesus with their own desires, motives, and vision created from within themselves, which produces sin (Ephesians 5:3-7; Galatians 5:19-21).  Even Jesus states He did not come to the earth to do His own will but the will of the Father, God, Who sent Him (John 6:38; Matthew 26:39).  Some people want the label as a Christian but without the sacrifices of what it takes to receive the title.  To be a Christian is defined by following Jesus Christ in paths of righteousness, being a disciple of Jesus by allowing His words to change one’s life, and displaying love for Him by keeping His commandments (Psalm 23:3; John 6:68-69; John 14:15).  Christians should have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 2:16).  Even within the church, the Fivefold Ministers, including the pastor, are to be maturing the people as part of the body by submitting to Jesus Christ as the head of the church (Ephesians 4:11-16).  When people are led by their personal desires or motives, less of the will of God is accomplished, even by those who declare to be the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24).  God’s people are to be the body of Christ, who are not only attached to Jesus as the head, but are commanded by His mind and desire to accomplish the will of God throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).  Christians must get back to studying the Word of God on their own, being in prayer throughout the day, having regular consistent church attendance, living holy and clean lives, and doing what the Word says.  These are the fruits of being part of the body of Christ because He did these on the earth (Luke 2:46-47; John 8:31-32; Mark 6:46; Luke 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21).  May Christians submit to Jesus Christ as the head of the body and allow Him to bring life and life more abundantly, not only in the present but life to come.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​As the United States of America begins to celebrate its Independence Day, it causes a moment to reflect on what independence has created for the people who can worship God in a freedom of religion atmosphere.  The findings, for modern times, lead to a generation of lazy Christians.  The word independence is defined as the quality or state of being independent or not subject to control by others, not requiring or relying on someone else.  It also means competence, a sufficiency of means for the necessities and conveniences of life.  When Christians are independent of God, this can create not only a laziness in participating in a Christian life, but also begin to deteriorate a true covenant with God (John 15:5; Isaiah 40:31).  Due to their ability to choose if they go to church, if they read their Bible, if they pray, and if they actually have a relationship with God, leads many to only following through the act of Christianity when they desire (2 Timothy 3:5; 1 Corinthians 2:14).  Americans may have independence from many various things, but Christians should have no independence from God (Acts 4:12; Psalm 91:1-16).  God’s people should be dependent on Him through reading their Bible, participating in church, praying, and walking daily in a right relationship with God.  When people understand they have a choice, they will, a majority of the time, take the easier, selfish path.  This is not solely out of avoiding hardship, but many times out of laziness (Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 10:4-5; Proverbs 21:25; Proverbs 19:15).  God did not send His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on the earth, lay down His own life for the sins of the world, and be resurrected on the third day for His people to be lazy in their walk with Him.  Jesus obeyed God the Father to give those who choose to become His followers the opportunity to become the soldiers of God, world overcomers, submitted servants, and joint-heirs with Him in the things of God (Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12; Ephesians 3:6).  He did not give His life for people to be lazy, do only what they desire to do, live their lives according to their own standard, and not fulfill their biblical duties unto God.  When Christians are independent from God, they make themselves their god (Philippians 3:19; Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 3:2-4; 2 Peter 2:19).  God is a jealous God Who desires His people to have a dependency on Him in everything of their lives (Matthew 6:24; Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).  A Christian’s life is nothing without God.  In many of today’s messages and services, everything is focused on the person and what God will do for them instead of being focused on God and how His people should live for Him (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Jude 4; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 11:13).  When a Christian realizes their dependence on God through Jesus Christ, they will use their American independence to live a life full of faith pleasing unto God (Hebrews 11:6).  Ironically, some of the most powerful Christians in today’s time do not have independence within their nation, but their power comes from their dependence on God.  Living in the United States should allow the independence within the nation and also build stronger Christians who exercise that right to live for God in full dependence according to God’s desires.  May Christians become stronger and more dependent on God as they live their lives not for themselves but for the God they declare they love and serve.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​The best place to start with such a topic is by defining the word pride.  Pride is defined as confidence and satisfaction in oneself; pleasure that comes from a relationship, association, achievement, or possession; exaggerated self-esteem; a showy or pretentious group.  When a person displays pride, they are not relying on God but themselves.  God’s Word says He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).  Anytime a person places pride within themselves, something they have, or something they belong to, they are making themselves their own God and rejecting the true and living God (Ezekiel 28:2; Romans 1:25).  Placing confidence or satisfaction in oneself or having an exaggerated self-esteem reflects a denial of God in one’s life (Jeremiah 17:10; Matthew 6:24).  No matter one’s sin that is a stumbling block, all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8).  The Bible goes on to say that no one is righteous on their own (Romans 3:10).  Why should there be pride within a person’s life if that person has no saving power or authority to change their eternity based on their ability without God’s help?  This is the necessity for pride to be removed and for humility to be cultivated in submission to God the Father through Jesus Christ.  All people must resist pride and deny themselves to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master (Luke 9:23; 1 John 2:4; Matthew 16:24; John 14:6).  Prideful and sinful people know what God’s requirements are for such actions yet they do them anyway and encourage other people to participate as well (Romans 1:32; Proverbs 1:10-16; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Psalm 1:1).  The answer to pride is humility.  As noted already, humility allows God’s grace to flow into one’s life (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 23:12; Philippians 2:3-4; Proverbs 22:4).  All people must have humility before God to have not only eternal life but the blessings of God in the life that now is.  Humility births submission, submission births obedience, and obedience, especially when coupled with faith, pleases God (Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:4; Galatians 2:20; 1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15; Romans 6:16).  Here are other verses that display the stark difference between pride and humility.  Pride brings disgrace while humility is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).  Pride brings destruction, but humility brings honor (Proverbs 18:12).  Pride ends in humiliation while humility brings honor (Proverbs 29:23; Luke 14:11).  Having this bigger picture of what the Word of God says, allows one to see there should be no pride in oneself, one’s group, or from an achievement or possession, but everyone should have a humility because they recognize their need for God.  God still places the call for all of mankind to come to Him in repentance for sin (Matthew 4:17; Acts 3:19; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; 1 John 1:9).  What will the choice be, pride or humility?  Looking through the lens of scripture, the choice should be clear, but some will still choose according to their own desires.  May people humble themselves and call upon the name of Jesus and be born again (John 3:3; Romans 6:23; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 3:36; Romans 6:6).  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.  

​For many people, attending church or being a Christian seems to imply an obligation to have everything figured out in terms of being a perfect moral person.  In reality, God is looking for people who will serve Him and be faithful as they mature in a relationship with Him (Colossians 3:23-24; Romans 12:1; Matthew 6:24; 1 Samuel 12:24; Deuteronomy 15:10).  Attending church is not for those who have it all figured out, but for people who realize their need for God through a relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; James 5:14; Proverbs 18:1; Joshua 1:8; Hebrews 10:23-26).  A religious spirit causes people to believe they must have everything in their life together before darkening the door of a church.  That same demon also causes those who may attend a church to believe, as long as they fulfill an obligation to God by going ever so often, without a personal relationship with God, that they are pleasing Him.  The overall theme of the Bible and the purpose of attending church is for each person to give their heart to God and serve Him all the days of their life (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 4:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 15:5; Matthew 6:33).  When people make church about a social gathering, the point of assembling has been missed (Ephesians 4:11-16).  The Bible states that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).  The sacrifice of going to church from a religious obligation or out of necessity to not go to Hell is not the heart God desires, but a heart of servitude that is submitted to Him (John 14:15; Jeremiah 7:23; Exodus 19:5; 1 Peter 1:14; Isaiah 1:19).  When people submit to God through a heart of faith and love, they are giving God what He desires most.  People who truly give God their heart will love one another, worship God above all things, be faithful in the spiritual things and the natural things as good stewards of what God has given them, and continue to grow in their relationship with Him (John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:20; Hebrews 13:15; John 4:23; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10; Deuteronomy 8:18; James 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:11).  God’s people start as those who are separated from God, but they call upon the name of Jesus in repentance of their sins allowing them to become children of God.  This same heart is what God desires to continue within the lives of His people, a heart that will call on Him in the good times and the bad.  A heart that desires to remain with Him because He will never leave nor forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Deuteronomy 31:8; Matthew 28:20).  A person’s religion will get them rebuked for not having a heart for God (Matthew 23:1-6; Matthew 23:24-33; Mark 12:38-40; Matthew 6:1-8; Luke 20:45-47).  When a person’s relationship with God is solely based on their outward appearance, they do not have a relationship with God but a religious mindset.  God desires for people to have a heart for Him, like He has a heart for His people.  May more people begin to overcome the religious mindset and love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).  When a person loves God with all of their heart, they will go to church to be in their Father’s house.  They will study the Bible to know God more.  They will pray to talk to their heavenly Father.  This is what God desires.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.