Let It Slide

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

As we enter into the holiday our emotions can sometimes get the best of us. We hear stories of suicide, parking space assaults and other poor behavior.

I like the verse above. If we practice it we just may conquer the commercialized Christmas and focus ourselves on the reason for the season. This year before you pop a cap in someone because they just grabbed the last guitar hero, take a moment to reflect. That right.... Breathe, count to ten and think of how patient God has been with you. How many times has He let you slide today?

This year let's put Jesus first. Don't sweat the small stuff and LET IT SLIDE!!

P.S.
Don't forget the Christmas Party at Chad's House December 21st
check the website for more details www.journeymin.com

Merry Christmas
Bro. Coy

Burden

I have a particular burden For Journey this week. We all have one thing in common. Life with Jesus isn't near as thrilling as our recruiter said it would be. I believe will all my heart that our expectation of Christ can change as we realize who he is and what he expects from us. Some of us may still be looking at our Honeymoon Pictures with Jesus and wondering where all the passion went. One-sided romances are hard to keep healthy. If you're ready for a real change in your life and in your desire to fellowship... Pray. I desire your prayers, but I'd rather know that you're talking to God and that you're hearing from Him.

Read: 1Sam 12:20-25; Job 42:10;Isa 64:2-8; Matt 6:5-7: Acts 26:9; Eph 1:17-19; 1Pet 4:7; James 15:16; Pmn1:6; Matt 5:44; Matt 9:38; Mar 11:25

I know that these seem like a lot of verses to read, and since I made up the list I will be praying over all of them. All I I'm asking you to do right know is read the verses listed. When you get to one that grabs you--- repent and pray over that verse until God deals you(Try not to be distracted at the time)

Sunday We Can all talk about this at Group.


It is my Heart's Desire that God's Holy SPIRIT will empower our group through our worship and our pleas to the Almighty God to fill us and prepare us for the days ahead.

See if this don't fix it

I heard preacher mentioning that he caught himself make this statement to a group of youth. "We need to bring life back into the scriptures!" As soon as he said it, he knew he'd dropped the ball.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NIV


We don't need to bring life into the scriptures. NO!!! We need to bring our lives to the scriptures. The Bible is alive and well, and I really don't care if you use a KJV or an NIV. If you don't use either your life is a DUD. I challenge any of you today to seek it with your most vexing issues. Trust me Truth does not fear a challenge. Show the bible your problem and it will give you a guaranteed treatment for the condition. The antidote may not always be pleasant (kind of like flu shots), but you'll better off once the treatment starts taking place.

Side Effects may include; greater faith, stronger hope, repaired relationships, and an increased appetite for God's Word.


Disclaimer: Don't stop taking your medications--- I'm a disciple not a doctor


Love
Bro. Coy

Strong Silent Grace

This was the day of my baby girl's funeral. Many tears were shed and many blessings were given. The message was well delivered and the music spoke straight to the heart. But what touched me most was the strong silent grace of the woman standing beside me. Not once have I seen her stagger in her faith and today was a shining example of that. Two well-meaning mothers of two beautiful baby girls attempted to hide their bundles of joy to protect my wife from the harsh reality of her loss. But this beautiful woman of God sought them out. She blessed these mothers with a genuine heart and a love that only God can provide. It caused me to pause and wonder how could a God so big fit so much of Himself into a woman of her stature? I love you Kara. You are a rock.


"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."
Proverbs 31:29 NASB

Zoe's Home At Last

But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."
Luke 18:16-17 NASB


As you know, Kara and I waited 9months to meet our baby girl. Nov 19th was a day of sadness and Victory. She was with us for nearly 45minutes. She was beautiful. It's so comforting to know that she left this world of uncertainty and entered a realm that we can barely imagine. She never opened her eyes here, but imagine what she saw when she opened them there. I'm so proud of her Mama. Kara was willing to trust what God wanted, rather than selfishly hold on to what she was not meant to keep. God has truly blessed me with strong wife. So where do we go from here? Wherever you want God! Thank you for your patience Abba as you constantly work on us to make our faith our sight. Thank You for peace and strength. And Thank You for our family at Journey that "do" the word.

We Love You ABBA

We Love You Church

Happy Birthday Zoe

With Love


Coy,Kara,Andrew,and Clyde

What Influences You the Most?

This Sunday November 16th @ 3:00 pm



We will be discussing influence. So be prepared to share and be encouraged as we discover how God can do a lot with just a little positive influence. We look forward to seeing you.



Hebrews 10:25 NIV
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If you can't be with us... be somewhere else giving God glory that you can be at all...


Bro. Coy

WASSUP

Hello Everybody Remember Nov. 9th is OUTREACH SUNDAY and we Have a Special Treat for outreach this weekend TBA in the Sunday Morning Meeting. I think it will tie in well with our next Small Group Meeting. Even shy people can do this one. It will be fun and the weather will be great.
November 16th we will be discussing INFLUENCE.
Let's Pray and Hope for God's Power to spread our influence like influenza throughout the Valley!
And remember.... Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway

Bro. Coy
www.journeymin.com

To Know Him is to Love Him

1John 2:4-6 says," The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
To keep His word, we must know His word. John is talking about forming a strong relationship and identity with God Himself. He wrote this so we could be sure we were on the right path. Why would we want to do what Jesus did? ....to avoid Hell or do we truly want to be more like Him? Well that's a no-brainer. He designed us with friendship in mind but we have chosen formality and cold religion instead. I'm urging us all to continue testing ourselves against the scriptures daily so that we can really know God in person. One final thing, I heard a preacher say the other day that if we're going to change our relationship with God we also need to change our relationship with sin. How true!

Hint: To get a jump start on knowing Jesus, cruise on back to the Gospels and practice doing what He did. CAUTION!! Do not attempt walking on water unless you were born of a virgin.

Bro. Coy

Keep on Keeping on

"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:" 1 John 2:3-5 NASB

Sounds intimidating doesn't it? John didn't write this as a way that we could test other believers. He wrote it for us to check ourselves. Since we've been examining obedience, this seemed like a fitting passage to study. The meaning of the word "keep" is essential to understanding these verses. It's implication is to maintain a course. It's a real journey with a real destination. Like all journeys we're bound to get off course but the goal is to keep on keepin' on in the right direction. Went we get lost it's time to stop and get directions and study our map. That's prayer, Godly counsel, and reading the word of God. Most important never be to proud to admit when you made a wrong turn. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NASB

Enjoy the Ride
Bro. Coy

Question of the Day

...In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him....
Hebrew 2:8
Has anything greater than Jesus crossed your path today?

Faith in the Realm of Uncertainty

Today we talked about faith in the realm of uncertainty. Here are a few key points from our discussion.

A need to know basis

· Read 1Sam 7:3; 14:1-12

· The Jonathan Factor is expressed when we have absolute confidence in God in the midst of uncertainty without any guarantee of personal success.

· Jonathan was not choosing how to die; he was choosing how to live.

Read 2 Tim 1:8-9; Eph 2:10; Gal 5:13; James 4:17

· First dimension faith is acting in obedience to what God has already spoken even though it may be out of your level of experience.

· Faith is not emotion or desire.

· The more closely we reflect God’s heart in our prayers, the more often our requests will match his response.

· Faith is about character, trusting in the character of God, being certain of who God is and following Him into the unknown.

Muy Importante: What do you do when you don't know what to do? OBEY

I will miss y'all next week. Have fun at the picnic while I'm eating all that Yankee food.
Peace
Bro. Coy

A Martyr's Creed

I'll take it easy tonight guys by submitting something I read a long time ago but it still blesses me today. I wish I could say it defines me.

I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast my goal is heaven; my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me--my banner will be clear!!!

--Written by a young African pastor: It was tacked on the wall of his house and found after he died as a martyr for the Gospel

God Bless Y'all
Bro. Coy

Don't be afraid of the dark. Just get rid of it.

1John 1:5-7 (NIV)
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Today, I was listening to a fellow on the radio talk about his addiction to pornography. In days past, I was tempted and felt overwhelmed to view this stuff on the Internet. Honestly, sometimes I failed to resist but I never felt the power of this addiction. But I could identify with him wholeheartedly. You see for many years I was addicted to alcohol and getting high on whatever was available. My addiction caused everyone that cared about me to be affected. As I sank deeper into the pit of this darkness, it was impossible for me see the damage I was causing myself and my loved ones. It's hard to see clearly in the dark.
In my experienced- not expert- opinion, all addictions are basically the same. They all result in hopelessness, heartache and unbridled guilt. Addicts have one desire-to fill that bottomless void in their soul and they will destroy anything that gets between them and their fix. Their eyes are cloudy and the path is dark. They can't see what lies ahead.
Only one thing can fix an addict's problem. Light. Yes the minute you let The Light shed his light on your problem, you start seeing solutions. Oh yes you're still on the same path and it'll take a while to get back where you started but the Light will help you see. The rocks and ditches will be much easier to avoid when you hold the Lamp of God's word over the path. Another good thing about light: more light = less darkness. Yes I know it's sounds simple. But if it's so simple, why are so many intelligent people trapped in darkness. It's because they don't have THE LIGHT. OK enough metaphor, here's the application.

1. If you have a vice that you just can't quit, talk about it with someone that loves God and can shed some of God's light on your problem.Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV

2. One sign that you have a problem is that your fellowship with friends and love ones is beginning to suffer. But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].1John 5:7 Amplified Bible

3. The most powerful weapon that addiction has is the "deep dark secret". Bring it out into the light and you'd be surprised at how many already knew. But that's OK because the power of darkness is gone because God's light is present. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. John 1:5 Amplified Bible

If anyone has anything that constantly nagging them, don't keep it in the dark. I'm here for you. we'll shed some Light on that thing and send it back where it belongs.

God Bless Y'all
Bro. Coy

Who Made You The Judge?

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1 - 5 (NASB)

What a common scenario! What a grossly misquoted and misunderstood text! Two friends have a similar problem. One has splinter in his eye and the other, a branch hanging out of his skull. Who is more likely to complain? You guessed it… Old log head. Not only will he complain about his friend’s splinter but he will come up with brilliant methods of splinter removal. We see it every day don’t we? Well I guess I should say we see it in other people everyday because we can barely see our own reflection with all the leaves hanging in our face.
The Lord was pointing out a problem that I face often. He didn’t say that I shouldn’t be willing to correct a friend with a fault. He was telling me that if I’m going to help my friend with his fault I should get rid of my own problem first. But hey if I’m the one with the bigger problem maybe I should be taking advice from him.
A carnal spirit will reject correction by saying, “Judge not that ye not be judged!” Why is that the only verse in the King James that anyone quotes correctly yet misses its meaning entirely? I guess it’s because they won’t finishing reading the verse. Jesus is saying if you’re going to judge do it right. If you’re going to help someone overcome a fault, its best that you have overcome that fault yourself and that you bring a solution in the spirit of love. Otherwise you’re a hypocrite and you’re no good to yourself or anyone else. Can’t you just picture a guy with a splinter in his eye getting help from someone with a limb full of branches and leaves sticking out of his head? That poor guy is going to get beat half to death and all scratched up. By the end He’ll be worse off than when he started.

How can we apply this to our lives?

1. Be thankful for those who love God and love us enough to confront us and help us with our faults
Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:5 - 6 (KJV)

2. Love others enough to help them be the person God wants them to be.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1 - 2 (KJV)

3. In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 (NASB)

God Bless Y’all
Bro. Log Head

Character

Today I heard a comment on the radio, that I’d heard somewhere before but I still can’t remember who said it. “Character is what you do when no one is looking.” That comment stuck me like a knife. As Christians, we know that God is always looking, but how often are we more concerned with what others see. I work in a fairly small warehouse that contains over seventy-five cameras. At first I was very conscientious of this, but now I’d hate to think of the things they had seen me do when “no one” was looking. Don’t worry I haven’t stolen anything, but I will occasionally “bust a move” to the radio when I’m alone. I never know who is watching the cameras and most of the time I don’t even think about them. Since none of us have seen God we tend forget He is watching too. Paul reminds his friends in Philippi that just because he’s not there doesn’t mean that they can go all willy-nilly.

Philippians 2:12-18 NLT
12Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Here are a few character building reminders from Paul:
1. Our work represents Someone greater than ourselves
2. God’s work makes us better than ourselves
3. We work best when we don’t do it for ourselves

I hope this post is helpful. I know I need constant reminding that God is over me, around me, under me, in me, and for me. From what I've read, He likes you pretty good too.

God Bless Y'all
Bro. Coy

Have the Attitude of Christ

Today I felt like a big steaming pile of........oatmeal. I hate oatmeal. The moment I got to work, I felt my rights being violated one by one. I mean shouldn't I be treated with tenderness and compassion due to my present family dilemma. Shouldn't the uniform guy bring back five shirts if I turn in five shirts? Shouldn't first shift stay late to finish their own projects instead of expecting us to stay late finishing our projects and theirs? That's when it hit me....well not right then I did have to sulk for a while first....but when it did finally hit me it was like a ton of feathers fell on me. Why a ton of feathers you ask? Because they weigh the same as a ton of bricks but they're so much softer:)
OK back to the thought at hand. Just where do I get off thinking I have all these rights? Answer...PRIDE.

Philippians 2:1-11 (NLT)

¹Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

²Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

³Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

⁴Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

⁵You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

⁶Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

⁷Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

⁸ he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

⁹Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,

¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1. Encouragement comes from fellowship in Christ
2. Equality is not of interest to God
3. Evil comes pride in yourself.
4. Elevation will come in due time.

What I forgot today was to keep the Main Thing the main thing. Needless to say, I was not encouraged. I was more concerned with helping others please me than I was helping others see Him. That's a losing strategy. If Jesus, Himself didn't think he should have His rights catered to why should I?

My prayer today is that we would all have the mind of Christ and the peace that comes with it. Even if we have a momentary "brain burp" we need to remember that we have a Friend who is always there at the throne to intercede on our behalf. Let our motto be "others" and hope we don't get in the way.
God Bless Y'all
Bro. Coy

P.S. I'm Feeling much better now

Just a bunch of Dust

^{Psalms 103: 8-14 (NLT)}

8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

10 He does not punish us for all our sins;he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

As leaders and partners at JDM, we have an important task in serving God by helping others. In the next few weeks Pastor Chad will be issuing a challenge to our community. It will be difficult and at times, intimidating unless we remember who it is we represent and what He has to offer. Just check out these facts about God and try telling me we don't have the best deal going around.

God is Emotionally Involved. vs.8,9,11,13 -- God loves each of us as if we were his only child. We need to remember that with everyone we encounter.

God is an Emancipator. vs. 10,12-- Many lost and wandering folks don't even consider this side of God. They are so caught up in their sin and worries that they can't even fathom the freedom that comes from being a child of the Most High.

God is an Empathizer.vs. 14 -- Very few people in your life can say "they know how you feel" and mean it. That is not the case with God. No one has ever been closer to God or further away and lived to tell about it than God's own Son. Don't just take it from me, read the gospels and you'll see that Jesus knows how we feel.

Look we're going to meet people along our way that we would normally let pass on by, hoping that they don't even notice us. Now is the time to put on our God glasses and see others as he sees them. We need to share the freedom that we now have. We can do whatever we want, there just happens to be a lot of stuff we don't want to do anymore. Maybe we just need to treat the others we meet on our journey like they're long lost family, after all we did come from the same pile of dust.

P.S. Be sure to check out our prayer request post at Journey Church CSRA