How should we deal with sinning disciples of Jesus?

There was a pastor who became involved immorally with a married woman in his congregation. They each divorced their respective mates and then were married to each other in the church of which he was the pastor. The congregation turned out en masse for the wedding, giving open support.

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. | Matthew 18:15-17 New American Standard Bible

Why do we resent God’s discipline?

God has a goal for us. Primarily God wants us to grow up and not be a child our whole life. Growing up requires discipline from a father.

God is in a good mood and disciplines us for a reason. It is out of true love.

So, what is the goal of discipline?

“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)”

How do we make discipline lasting and effective? 

Larry Pons from our Train to Reign Day 8 Week 2 Making Discipline Lasting & Effective.

What is discipline? Why does it matter?

Larry Pons, our Chief Executive teaches on “Why Discipline Matters”. From Train to Reign Day 10 Week 2.

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There is power in prayer. We see it every day. Let us join with you in tapping into the Power of God. Click here to make a request.

Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.

Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus.  The goal is fluency in the language of relationships.  Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture.  The foundation is an encounter with Jesus.  This encounter is the means for both insight and vision.  Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.

Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. Learn more about our programs here.

Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. Learn more here.

If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.

Who is God? Why don’t we feel He is around today?

Some days it is just not clear where God is. He doesn’t seem to be anywhere around. Don’t see Him. Don’t hear him.

Where is He, I think? Why doesn’t He just show up?

God hasn’t gone anywhere. God is always with us. God is always around.

So what’s up?

Jesus challenges us to seek God. It requires a discipline to find Him some days. Jesus gives us a promise.

Seek and I will find Him.

May I be disciplined and find Him. He is near.

Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God’s justice. Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of God’s anger.

Zephaniah 2:3 (The Message Bible)

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Backlot BBQ & Movie

Come join us for our Backlot Barbecue Event at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts on October 5, 2019. Learn more here.

Your ticket includes a delicious BBQ sandwich meal, a donut roast over an open fire, fun and games. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy DreamWorks “Madagascar” under the stars. All proceeds go to missions around the world.

DATES / TIMES:

Saturday, October 5, 2019

6:30pm – 8pm: Food, Games & Donut Roast

8pm: Outdoor movie featuring DreamWorks “Madagascar”

*BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR*

Learn more here.

God is strong and never grows tired. God is better than the Energizer Bunny.

There is always good news with God. He is always happy to have us back when we miss His goal (aka sin) for us.

God is strong and never grows tired. God is better than the Energizer Bunny. God is energy so God is always energetic. That is just how He rolls.

God’s love brings us peace and calms us. God’s love drives out all fear in our life. Jesus teaches us to be worry free. Why worry? No need. God’s got our back. It is all a part of His plan, even the suffering and pain.

He is tickled pink to delight us. He is in a good mood and not upset with us. Like a loving Father, God disciplines us so we can’t just skate by doing everything we want. Our goal, God’s goal for us, is holiness and sanctification.

Yes, there is always good news with God.

Jerusalem will be told:  “Don’t be afraid. Dear Zion, don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” | Zephaniah 3:16-17

May I be open to the good news and see that God is with me, powerful and delighted with me.

If you would like to donate to CTCI please click here.

Check our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.

Correct Discipline

In this message, Larry Pons walks us through Hebrews 12: 3-12 and we see how God, as a good Father, disciplines His children and how we are to follow His example.

WATCH the Full Video HERE.

LISTEN to the Full Audio HERE.

I Want to be God! | Jay Fesperman (3/3)

If we gave as much time to hearing and reading the Scriptures as we do watching television, we would have a much easier time following the edict of King Jesus. Take this advice for example. . . “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart FOREVER; fasten them around your neck. When you walk they will guide you; when you sleep they will watch over you; when you awake they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the CORRECTIONS OF DISCIPLINE are the way to LIFE.” (Proverbs 6:20).

I Want to be God! | Jay Fesperman (2/3)

One of the major weaknesses in the Church today is the business of compromise. And I am speaking of compromise on a singular or personal basis. In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth he covers several of these:

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.”

“What fellowship can light have with darkness?”

“What do righteousness and wickedness have in common?”

“What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?”

“What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?”

I Want to be God! | Jay Fesperman (1/3)

You may think I am kidding with THAT title, but I am not. The big “I” in me wants to call the shots. I want to do what pleases “ME”. And that’s probably true for most of you who read this letter. I have a young friend who for the eight years that I have known him has insisted over and over again that he wants to walk with God and to be a man of God. But he hasn’t yet come to the place where he will let God set the pattern for his life. His big “I” still responds to the soul and flesh, and he has never come to the place where God is the Lord over his life.

5 Signs of Discipline (part 4)

Larry Pons presents 5 ways to tell when parents should discipline their children. (From Train to Reign Family Program teachings)

For more information about Train to Reign and other CTCI programs, visit lifeisrelationships.com.

5 Signs of Discipline (part 3)

Larry Pons presents 5 ways to tell when parents should discipline their children. (From INNvision Family Program teachings)

For more information about INNvision and other CTCI programs, visit lifeisrelationships.com.

5 Signs of Discipline (part 5)

Larry Pons presents 5 ways to tell when parents should discipline their children. (From INNvision Family Program teachings)

For more information about INNvision and other CTCI programs, visit lifeisrelationships.com.

5 Signs of Discipline (part 2)

Larry Pons presents 5 ways to tell when parents should discipline their children. (From INNvision Family Program teachings)

For more information about INNvision and other CTCI programs, visit lifeisrelationships.com.

5 Signs of Discipline

Larry Pons presents 5 ways to tell when parents should discipline their children. (From INNvision Family Program teachings)

For more information about INNvision and other CTCI programs, visit lifeisrelationships.com.

Headlines of the Day | Jay Fesperman (2/3)

In another one of his great letters to the churches, Paul told another body of believers they needed to have a mind-transformation. In Philippians 2:1-4 he said, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being LIKE-MINDED, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Not only are we to take our mind off the world, but we are to “save the mind” by getting our thoughts off ourselves and onto other people around us. Paul, using the same language, tells Titus to “encourage the young men by being SELF-CONTROLLED. In everything set them an example.” (Titus 2:6-7a). It’s the same Greek language Luke used when he reported that “Legion”, having been delivered of the many demons, was”clothed and in his right mind.”

Headlines of the Day | Jay Fesperman (1/3)

Headlines of the day: “Mt. St. Helens Erupts Again!” “One Million Ethiopians Face Starvation!” “Soviet’s Expected Wheat Crop of 230 Million Tons Reduced by Weather to 180 Million Tons!” “Daily Rate of Abortions in the 1,000’s!” “U.S. Dollar Declines Again on World Market!”