Living Grace Christian Church Inc

06/13/2025

Please keep Israel and Jerusalem in your prayers.
Psalm 20 NIV
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.[b]
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!

06/12/2024

Daily Bible Study

Paul offers a variety of warnings for people in Philippians Chapter 3 that are designed to help them improve their walk with Christ rather than their fleshly desires. Paul cautioned the Philippians in Chapter 3 to be aware of false teachers who he described as evil workers and dogs. He said they wanted to circumcise everybody, which Paul said was unnecessary.

He said people should practice the true circumcision, which is the one in which they worship God in spirit, rejoice in Christ, and have no confidence in their own flesh. Paul said his earlier confidence in the flesh had so many grounds, including a list of things attributed to it of which he could have boasted about.

Philippians chapter 3
New International Version

1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

10 I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

What does Philippians chapter 3 mean?
Philippians chapter 3 speaks about Christ as the proper focus during times of suffering. Philippians 2 sets this passage up in the context of persecution and oppression for the sake of the gospel. First, Paul discusses the importance of righteousness through faith in Christ rather than by works (Philippians 3:1–11). Second, Paul talks about straining toward the goal of following Christ (Philippians 3:12–21).

In Philippians 3:1–11, Paul begins with a reminder to "rejoice in the Lord" (Philippians 3:1). He also warns his readers to "look out" for certain specific types of false teachers (Philippians 3:2). Those who required Jewish circumcision, or other rituals, as part of salvation were not part of the true family of faith. The true "circumcision" are those who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3).

Paul then adds his own spiritual resume, noting his reasons to boast "in the flesh" (Philippians 3:4). They included: circumcision on the eighth day; being from Israel, specifically the tribe of Benjamin; being a Pharisee; persecuting the church; and living according to the law (Philippians 3:5–6). Paul's point is that if any human being could be justified by the law, he would be—and yet, he considers all of that wasted in comparison to Christ (Philippians 3:7–8). Nothing was more important than knowing Jesus.

Paul's focus is to be "found in [Christ]," finding a righteousness not based on works of the law but on faith (Philippians 3:9). His goal is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. He wants to also share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death (Philippians 3:10).

In the second half of the chapter, Paul speaks of pressing on or straining toward Christ-like living (Philippians 3:12–21). He begins by stating that he is not yet perfect, but is working toward living more like Christ (Philippians 3:12). He does not focus on the past, but on the future (Philippians 3:13). He is committed to the goal of the calling of Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). All mature believers are to live this way (Philippians 3:15), holding on to the progress they have already attained (Philippians 3:16).

Paul then calls the believers to imitate him (Philippians 3:17). In contrast, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18), something that brought tears to Paul. These people were focused on their own satisfaction and were set on earthly things (Philippians 3:19). In contrast, the believer's citizenship is in heaven. Believers await the return of Christ (Philippians 3:20). Christ will change the human bodies of believers into a new body like Christ has, something that should bring believers joy (Philippians 3:21).

Book Summary
Philippians is Paul's discussion of living the Christian life. In this letter to the church of Philippi, Paul highlights themes such as joy and glory. He also puts great emphasis on how a Christian's thinking—their attitude—affects the way they live out their faith. Paul is very thankful for the support of the Philippian church, but is also concerned about the influence of various false teachers. This letter is less theological than most of his other writings, and more practical.

Chapter Context
In chapters 1 and 2, Paul explained how Christians should respond to hardships. Since Christ was willing to obey God, even to the point of death, we should do the same. Complaining and worry have no place in the life of a saved believer. Chapter 3 makes a bold contrast. Paul's credentials, according to Jewish tradition, were impeccable. And yet, for him, none of those accomplishments are worth anything next to fellowship with Christ. For this reason, Christ is to be the sole focus of the believer. This sets up Paul's final greetings and instructions in chapter 4.

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06/08/2024

Learn Forgiveness
BY PASTOR JAMIE JACKSON
MAY 20, 2019

Forgiveness is hard. To willingly and willfully give up your claim on another person because of a wrong done by them is trying.

One of the most famous and most quoted passages on forgiveness is Matthew 18:21 & 22 where Peter asks if he must forgive someone who sins against him even as much as seven times and Jesus gives the famous response: “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”

The obvious and correct interpretation of this passage is that there must be immense forgiveness for wrongs committed against us, many times more than our human nature is comfortable with. We are to be rich in grace toward those who wrong us over and over again and thus forgive them over and over again for their various offenses. For, if we have been forgiven thousands of times over for our wrong doings by Christ, how can we not also forgive others?

But there is a second interpretation, complimentary to the first, which I think is also true and equally as important. And that is this: we are to forgive the wrong doer seventy times seven for the same single sin against us.

When someone hurts us deeply it is not as simple as to forgive them and be done with it. It’s not that simple because the hurt runs deep and keeps hurting days, months, years after the initial offense. It’s not that easy because certain words, places, circumstances, or conversations remind us of the hurt over and over again. And it’s not that simple because we’re sinners. When we forgive, it is eroded by our own heart’s bitterness and undermined by our own self-righteousness. It is forgotten in fits of self-pity or anger. Our forgiveness is not a finished oreternal offering.

So we must forgive that single person for that single hurt not just once, or seven times, but seventy times seven. Every time we face those certain words, places, circumstances, or conversations that bring the hurt back we must choose to forgive again.

This kind of forgiveness is, in my experience, the hardest to do, and that’s because the kinds of offenses that require it are the most hurtful. It’s one thing to forgive a brash, loud-mouthed co-worker over and over again because they manage to be offensive with every other sentence. It’s another thing entirely to forgive, daily, the spouse or parent or friend who has undermined your credibility or betrayed your trust. But it is good.

Seventy times seven means far more – but never less – than forgive each time you are wronged. It means forgive offenses to completion even if that means a daily, or even hourly, decision to let the debt go.

May God bless all
Living Grace Christian Church IncPastorJamie Jackson

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03/26/2024

03/21/2024

Weekly Devotional: Three Simple Types of Prayer

Think about reasons you or people you’ve encountered may struggle or neglect to pray. Perhaps it feels time-consuming, confusing or dull. Although it’s normal to feel this at times, prayer is a beautiful gift given to us in order to communicate with the king of kings. It is meant to be mysterious, life-giving, colorful and transformative.

1 Thessalonians invites us into a lifestyle full of prayer. How do we achieve this when we aren’t feeling this way about prayer? Here are three simple types of prayer available to you in Scripture. Rather than allowing negative thoughts or experiences with prayer prevent you from communing with God, consider a new way, perhaps engaging in one of these simple prayers.

1. Breath Prayer
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night — Psalms 1:2, ESV

Breath prayer is a short prayer that connects your body with the Word. As you breathe in, say/think of a name or characteristic of God rooted in Scripture that holds meaning to you or your circumstance. As you breathe out, say a short prayer that is true because of your chosen characteristic. As you repeat this, you may find that whispering the truth of God’s character causes your heart to be still and your mind to be at ease.

Here are a few examples of breath prayers:

As you inhale, say “Good Shepherd.” As you exhale, say “I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23)
As you inhale, say “Wonderful Counselor.” As you exhale, say “Guide me.” (Isaiah 9)
As you inhale, say “Great Defender.” As you exhale, say “Protect my heart.” (Psalm 62)
This type of prayer can be a great tool to use in moments of stress, as it can be done anywhere, any time and without anyone even knowing. Slow, deep breathing can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.1 When we combine this technique with prayer, we are inviting God into our distress and directing our thoughts toward him.

We see Jesus model breath prayer in Scripture. As he was being crucified on the cross, Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” (Luke 23:46). Even in his last breath, amid severe suffering, Jesus directs his attention to the Lord and calls upon his name.

2. One Sentence Prayer
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise — Philippians 4:8, NLT

One sentence prayer is another type of prayer used to commune with the Lord and consider the state of your soul. This can be used in times of grief, joy, gratitude and petition. When you cannot find the words, or perhaps want to engage in simple conversation with God, try offering just one sentence.

You can even use a sentence found in Scripture rather than formulating your own. Offer your prayer to the Lord, heedless of it sounding poetic or profound. Focus on each syllable and repeat the sentence until you feel it’s been written on your heart.

Here are a few examples of one sentence prayers:

“God, have mercy on me according to your steadfast love.” (Psalm 51)

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things.” (Psalm 119)

“Great are you Lord, and greatly to be praised.” (Psalm 145)

Although these are short prayers, they can be said to quickly shift your thoughts and turn your eyes toward Jesus. Simple or complex, short or long, the Lord hears your prayers and remains near to you.

3. Adoration Prayer
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen — Revelation 7:12, NLT

Sometimes in prayer, we get caught up in the asking. We often remember to seek him in times of need but find ourselves forgetting the significance of praise. Adoration prayer is a type of prayer solely focused on adoring God.

There is no correct way to do adoration prayer, but here is an exercise that may be helpful:

1. Choose a characteristic: Begin addressing God by one of his many names or characteristics. Ask yourself, how have I seen God recently? Who do I need to remember God as? Some examples could be Abba, Prince of peace, Bread of life, Maker or Protector.

2. Find Scripture: After you’ve chosen a characteristic, find verses or passages of Scripture that include or demonstrate this characteristic. How has God shown himself as this characteristic throughout history? What does his Word say is true about him?

3. Reflect on personal experiences: Now that you’ve examined Scripture, examine your own life. Consider times in your past or present where God has revealed himself in this way. Reflect on small moments, notable circumstances or seasons of life.

4. Pray: Spend time in prayer, for however long you desire, adoring God for this characteristic. Invite him into your findings, thank him for who he is, and pray to continually see him in this way.

Adoration prayer is centered around loving and magnifying the Lord above all else. It is setting our eyes on the prize of knowing Christ Jesus and delighting in who he is.2 Adoration prayer can be helpful in times when you need to remind yourself of God’s multifaceted character. You may find yourself falling deeper in love with Christ the deeper you dive into his attributes.

In Luke 11:1, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray with the model of the Lord’s Prayer. Just like the disciples, we too may need guidance in prayer. Breath prayer, one sentence prayer and adoration prayer are all prayers that may simplify your prayer life while still pointing you to the cross.

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03/18/2024

Daily Devotional

Be Still In a Busy Life

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” – Psalm 37:7

Life can get very busy and we can get overwhelmed with so many things that life throws our way. We get so distracted by earthly things. We get busy with work and school that we forget about our physical and spiritual wellbeing. Here are some ways that we can be still while living a busy lifestyle.

Get Organized
If you are stressed out with all of your responsibilities, take the time to get organized. Invest in a calendar or planner and write everything down. Make to do lists and check things off when they are complete. Writing things down in places that you are looking at often, will help you to keep track of all of your responsibilities and help encourage you to get them done in a timely manner.

“But all things should be done decently and in order.” – 1 Corinthians 14:40

Take a Breather
Take some time for yourself. Take a step back from everything and just breathe. Set aside everything that is causing you stress and do something to relax. Read a book, listen to music or take a nap. Do something that will ease your mind and your body.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

Turn To God for Help
When you are stressed, turn to God to lift the weight off of your shoulders. He will help you whenever you are in need. He will listen to your prayers and help you through your struggles. No matter if it is big or small, he will always be there to help and to listen. Trust that he will take care of you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

Trust His Plan
God has a plan for your life. He knows what path he wants to take you on. He is going to lead you to where he wants you to go in life. Trust his plan and that he is putting you on the right path. He puts us through trials and tribulations to prepare us for the future. Trust in whatever he is putting you through is for a good reason and that he will lead you to where you are supposed to go in life.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans.” - Proverbs 16:3

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03/05/2024

Sorry, atheists: evolution CANNOT explain this sea-creature… In this episode of Amazing Animals, Calvin Smith teaches us about the mimic octopus, and uses th...

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Pastor Jamie's quote of the day

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The Ancient City of Petra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Jordan and even all the Middle East! It's considered one of the "Seven Wonders o...