Cooper's Chapel Church

06/30/2024

💯🎯, Absolutely, not how weak or strong, just simply we do it or don't do it, we are responsible for our own actions.
Learn and move forward ❣️ Life is too short, we should do what we're supposed to do according to God's Word!

06/21/2024

Paying attention to the true conditions of this world and really paying attention to what the Bible is saying to all of us I believe is very important to true God fearing Christians!

Have you noticed that, in many ways, the twenty-first century is similar to the first century? Like the early church, Christians today are a minority in a pagan culture, and we’re confronted on every side with hostility, ignorance, immorality, and despair. Sadly, even in America—a nation founded on biblical principles—those of us who trust in Jesus and obey God’s Word are being mocked, threatened, and silenced.

Friend, as painful and disheartening as these things are for you and me, Jesus knew these days were coming.

In Matthew 24:9–12, Jesus told His disciples, “You will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”

Doesn’t that sound familiar? A reflection of today’s many headlines?

But Jesus doesn’t want us to surrender to the culture. Instead, He asks us to be salt and light in a dark world that has lost its thirst for God.

How do you and I go about being salt and light today? In Philippians 2:12–18, the apostle Paul gave us practical guidelines for godly living in a godless world.

First, Paul said we are responsible for godly living. Philippians 2:12 says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” The Greek term for “work out” refers to working a farm to produce the best crop possible. That’s what Paul was saying about salvation. We can’t work for our salvation, but we can work it out to yield the best results possible. For example, you can pray, “God, help me know Your Word.” But you have to set the alarm clock earlier every day. It takes effort to live a godly life.

We’re not only responsible for our own godly living, but Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us we are also responsible for passing our faith to the next generation. No matter how much we try to shield our children and grandchildren from what is happening in the world, young people are being bombarded with ungodliness and temptations. It’s imperative for us to train the children in our lives in the ways of God.

Second, Paul reminded us we have a resource for godly living. He said, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Notice that while you are working out your salvation, God is at work in you. If you’re a Christian, God has given you the Holy Spirit, who is working in your life right now, generating in you both the desire and ability to obey God.

Third, Paul explained our reason for godly living. Why should you and I resist the culture and stand strong on God’s Word? Paul said, “So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world ” (2:15). God wants your life to be like a big, shining spotlight that illuminates Him.

When Christians stand together to shine the light of Jesus in this dark world, we will become a beacon of hope to America.

Finally, Paul talked about our reward for godly living. He said, “Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all” (2:17). There is a cost to godly living in our godless world. But Paul confirmed our heavenly reward in 2 Timothy 2:11–12: “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him.”

Friend, you and I are faced with many choices: Do we remain silent and go along with our culture, or do we obey God and commit to living a life that glorifies Him?

In a time when the Christian values we hold dear are being rejected and scorned, you and I must stand together on God’s Word and shine forth the biblical principles of faith, family, and freedom that have guided our great nation for many centuries.

Just Sharing the Truth of God’s Word.

06/09/2024

06/06/2024

A long post but most long post are worth reading!

Isn’t it interesting that we often ignore the importance of our body parts when they are healthy? Take our eyes, for example. When our eyes are in good health, we hardly notice how crucial it is to see clearly. We are unaware of our eyes’ ability to focus on objects, near and far, in split seconds. When we cannot see these objects clearly, we know it is time to have our eyes checked by an optometrist. If the problem is severe, we may need to visit an ophthalmologist. Our English word ophthalmology stems from the Greek term for eye, ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos). The word “eye” occurs one hundred times in the New Testament, more than any other body part, and probably with good reason.

The eye is probably the most important organ through which we acquire information about the physical world (such usage can be found in various passages such as Matthew 17:8 and Acts 1:9, 9:8, 9:40). Moreover, the Bible warns us that our thoughts are closely intertwined with what our physical eyes perceive. In Matthew 5:28-29 and 1 John 2:16, we are warned of wrong desires resulting from the focus of one’s eyes. Similarly connected to this aspect is the concept of the “evil eye.” While modern science views the eye as a passive organ of reception, the ancient Near Eastern culture saw it as an active organ capable of committing actions. It was believed that negative attitudes of jealousy, envy, and hatred could be projected from one’s eye to another person and could bring about physical harm, hence the “evil eye,” usually translated as “bad eye” or “unhealthy eye” (Matthew 6:22, 20:15; Mark 7:22; Luke 11:34). Jesus gently corrected this ancient view and, at the same time, provided a proper perspective. When a person has an “evil eye” of jealousy and envy, they defile only themselves and live in their spiritual darkness. On the other hand, a “healthy eye” makes the person’s body whole (i.e., the entire person’s life shines).

Many cultures also connect the eye to a person’s mental faculties. Thus, it is not surprising to find similar ideas in the Bible. For example, in Ephesians 1:18, Paul mentioned that when “the eyes of the hearts” of the believers are enlightened, they can understand their rich spiritual blessings. Likewise, in 1 John 1:1, the eyewitness account is closely connected with the resulting spiritual insight. The disconnection between physical sight and understanding is mentioned often in the New Testament as well, sometimes alluding to and sometimes quoting Isaiah 6:10 or 29:10 (Matthew 13:15; Mark 8:18; John 12:40; Acts 28:27).

An interesting episode happened to two followers of Jesus on the day of his resurrection as recorded in Luke 24:13-35. At first, their eyes were blocked from recognizing who Jesus was even though they saw him (24:16). The passive voice of the verb most likely implies that God prevented them from recognizing this uninvited travel companion was Jesus, perhaps to reveal their ignorance and slowness to believe in His Word. One of the disciples, Cleopas, correctly recounted all the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection (24:18-24) but failed to comprehend their meaning. It was only after a long conversation, with their hearts getting warmed up to the point of burning (24:32), that God finally opened their spiritual eyes to recognize the identity of their travel companion (24:31). Spiritual eyesight was available only by God’s merciful act.

Now that we have been granted spiritual eyesight as God’s children, may we pray that we grow in our spiritual understanding of Him and filter what we see with proper perspective and see the truth.

06/06/2024

ACTS 13:36

FOR DAVID DID INDEED SERVE GOD'S PURPOSES IN HIS OWN GENERATION...

“Don’t feel sorry for or fear for your kids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be.

God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they’re in.

Their life wasn’t a coincidence or an accident.

Raise them up to know the power they walk in as children of God.

Train them up in the authority of His Word.

Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control.

Empower them to know they can change the world.

Don’t teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world but hopeful that they can do something about it.

Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan.

He knew Daniel could handle the lion’s den.

He knew David could handle Goliath. He knew Esther could handle Haman.

He knew Peter could handle persecution.

He knows that your child can handle whatever challenge they face in their life.

He created them specifically for it! Don’t be scared for your children, but be honored that God chose YOU to parent the generation that is facing the biggest challenges of our lifetime.

Rise up to the challenge.

Raise Daniels, Davids, Esthers and Peters!

God isn’t scratching His head wondering what He’s going to do with this mess of a world.

He has an army He’s raising up to drive back the darkness and make Him known all over the earth.

Don’t let your fear steal the greatness God placed in them. I know it’s hard to imagine them as anything besides our sweet little babies, and we just want to protect them from anything that could ever be hard on them, but they were born for such a time as this.”

~Alex Cravens, Dad and Youth Pastor, Russellville, AR

Your Call to Action

Our children are the torchbearers of change. We must equip them, guide them, and empower them as we nurture the greatness within them. We serve a God who parted the Red Sea, rained manna from heaven, and resurrected the dead. There is no challenge, no adversity, no hardship that He cannot conquer. And He has placed that same resilient spirit within our children.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, that you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

“I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace” (Isaiah 54:13).

Prayer

Father, we adore You! Thank you for being our refuge, strength, and fortress in this ever-changing world. Please be with our children daily and help us as parents, guide them to seek You first in every circumstance. Lead us and we will follow You, Lord. In Your precious name, we pray, Amen!

A Comforting Closure

Be brave and determined, as you are not navigating this journey alone. God is always guiding you. You are never out of His sight, even for a fleeting moment.

- Million Voices

05/17/2024

The Father and the child
The child spoke:
Father, life's not always easy.
I know My child, My kingdom has not come in full power. There is much to deal with ‐ heartaches, diseases, disappointments, hardships. Often I feel weak and overwhelmed.
Remember My Son's words: " Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world " (John 16:33).
I know, Lord, but sometimes I forget and try to overcome the world on my own. Daily I find that I am so inconsistent in handling situations and difficulties. There are times when I feel helpless and call out to You, and other times I think I can handle things by myself. It seems that when I think I'm strong enough to take care of a problem, I usually end up stressed and frustrated. What am I doing wrong?
It grieves Me to see My children choose to live without the strength that I can give.
But I feel that I need to be strong for You.
Yes, you are to be strong, but you must understand that My strength is perfect in your weakness. Your strength must come from Me; I am the source of your strength.
And how do I learn to rely on You and not myself?
Take My hand and with your eyes, see, and with your ears, listen to My Word. You must learn to rely on Me and know that it is My job to strengthen you with power through My Spirit in your inner being.

05/11/2024

Copied and pasted. So true

The cost of David's sin wasn't his own death but the death of a loved one his son. Sin and unrighteousness can cause pain to a generation. And that's the same for today. Keep that in mind the next time you think your doing something that isn't hurting anyone else because only you think you know about it . David lost a son over it! Are you willing to let a practice of sin in your life affect the generation to come? Are you so self centered that your no longer afflicted by your sin? Do you not know you serve a righteous wrathful God? Do you know God at all? DENY YOUR SELF AND REPENT. BECAUSE THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES AND PAIN. GNASHING OF TEETH SOUNDS PAINFUL TO ME. LUKE 9:23

05/11/2024

My thoughts 💭 Communication is fundamental to our souls, and we will never hear words that are more important than the Words of our Creator speaks into our lives!

05/09/2024

Pray safety to all out there. Gracious Lord Please keep my Family, Friends , Church Family , neighbors, animals & everyone else out there safe, protect us all from the storms ahead.