Terry Rogers
Faith, Family, Fun
If Not For GRACE…
Where would you be?
I would probably be in jail, or even worse, hell.
I’m thankful God demonstrated His love for us, through Jesus.
Join me Sunday at Faith Renewed, and let’s CELEBRATE GRACE!
Do You Want To Be Free?
There’s a lot of talk lately, about how some of our freedoms are being taken from us. I’m thankful there is one freedom, that can never be taken, that’s our freedom in Christ.
Jesus gave His life to set us FREE!
Words like defeated, depressed, sick, broken, or bound, should never be followed by the word Christian.
In John Chapter 11, we see the amazing story of when Jesus raises His friend Lazarus from death after being dead for four days.
Here are the 3 things that stood out to me in this story. 
1. We’re hopeless without Jesus.
Jesus said in verses 25&26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
JESUS IS LIFE! Outside of Jesus, we have no hope.
2. If Jesus said it, BELIEVE it.
Jesus said that Lazarus WILL rise again. I’m so thankful that He’s not all talk! If there’s a promise in God’s Word for you, count on it.
The situation may look bad, but Jesus brings life back into dead things.
3. We NEED each other.
In the story, Jesus stands near the tomb, and calls His friend out of the grave. The moment He spoke, life returned.
It’s what happens next in the story, that confused me for a long time.
After Lazarus came forth from the grave wrapped in grave clothes, Jesus tells those nearby, “loose him, and let him go.”
We know that Jesus could have just spoken the word, and the grave clothes would’ve fallen off. I think He’s trying to teach us a very important principle here.
Jesus is the giver of life, but He desires to use us in the process of freedom.
Romans 8:11 says, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in us.
God has called every Believer to do powerful things in His name.
I pray that everyone reading this, experiences TRUE freedom in Christ.
It feels good to be FREE!
Why This Waste?
In my next few posts, I will be sharing highlights of some of the Messages I’ve preached recently at Faith Renewed, during the ALIVE Series. Each week I’ve been teaching on a different key that will unlock the door to living fully ALIVE in Christ. The topics have been Faith, Family, Fear, Failure, Freedom, Finances, & Forgiveness. (A lot of F Words, I know.)
Today, we will take a look at Finances… 
In Matthew 26, we see the story of Jesus visiting the home of Simon the leper, when a woman comes in, and begins to pour very costly oils onto Jesus. Needless to say, her act of giving, caused a reaction from those in the house that day. One that became very vocal about this, was Judas. His exact words were, “Why this waste?”
When we have a Judas mindset, we don’t see tithing & giving as worship, but waste.
Here are 4 things you need to know, when it comes to God & FINANCES.
1. It’s ALL His.
He’e not asking us to give Him something that is ours.
Psalm 24:1 says, The earth is the LORD’S, and ALL its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
If we are blessed with finances, HE allowed it.
2. God wants to be FIRST in our life.
When we tithe & give to God our first & best, we are showing Him that He has our heart.
Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
There’s a quote that has a lot of substance to it, “You can give without loving, but you can’t love without giving.”
3. God wants to BLESS us.
God is good Father, and He loves His kids.
Giving is one of the avenues He uses to bring those blessings into our lives.
There is an enemy out there trying to steal, kill, & destroy. God speaks up and, “rebukes the devourer” when we obey His Word.
BTW, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be blessed.
4. God wants to use the local church to CHANGE the world.
Our political system is not going to do it!
The church, is called to take Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.
When we obey God’s Word in this area, we are helping make that happen.
Judas had a heart condition that led him to betray Christ, and eventually to his death.
My answer to Judas’ question of, “WHY THIS WASTE?”
JESUS IS WORTH IT.
Freedom In Forgiveness
Forgiving someone that hurt you, can be one of the hardest, but most rewarding things that Jesus asked us to do.
When it comes to the act of forgiveness, here are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Forgiveness Is A CHOICE
Forgiveness is not an emotion, it’s a decision!
Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18:21, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus responded with these words, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Hopefully, you won’t be hurt by the same person 490 times. (Do the math :)) I don’t think Jesus is saying we should keep track of how many times you forgive. I believe He’s teaching the principle, that you will have to continually make the choice to forgive. When those thoughts try to come back in your mind, decide to forgive again.
2. Forgiveness frees YOU
Many times we hold things against others, because we were truly a victim. That hurts, and it’s NOT fair! However, here’s the truth. Even if we we’re not at fault, our failure to forgive, imprisons us.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you are approving of someones actions, or denying a wrongdoing. It doesn’t mean that you have to trust, or reconcile with that person. It DOES mean, that you are not going to hold bitterness in your heart, and allow that person or situation, to keep you bound.
I personally know people that were in bondage from past hurt that happened decades ago. This affected their marriage, physical body, emotional well being, & Spiritual journey. After choosing to forgive, they were freed!
3. Forgiveness frees OTHERS
Each of us have been a victim. We’ve also been the one that hurt another. With that failure, sometimes the guilt of our wrongdoing can put us in chains.
When you forgive someone of their wrong, that frees them up to start over. Hopefully learn from the mistake, and not go down that road again.
Ephesians 4:32 says, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
I’m thankful that Jesus didn’t hold my failures against me.
Forgiveness Brings Freedom…
It feels good to be free!
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Terry Rogers 