Pastor Steven G Lightfoot's Podcast

Ephesians 4:25-5:2 The New Revised Standard Version 25 So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. 5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. - Ephesians 2:13-14

With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. -Ephesians 1:8b-10

Paul says, “Three times I appealed to the Lord about this [thorn…this weakness], that it would leave me, but he [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”

Now as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you—so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

“So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight."

16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure

Maydell Amanda "Sarah" Schaefer, 91, of Splendora went to be with her Lord Sunday, June 3, 2018. She was born Friday, October 22, 1926 in Houston, Texas to Norman and May Petty. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred Schaefer; 1 Granddaughter and 2 Great-Granddaughters; siblings, Norman Petty Jr., Richard Petty, Barbara Ann Moore. Maydell is survived by children, Billie Jackson, Dell Stuart and husband Lane, Fred Schaefer Jr and wife Brenda, Susan Schaefer; 10 Grandchildren, 17 Great-Grandchildren and 9 Great-Great-Grandchildren; brothers, William Edward Petty and James Allen Petty; and many other relatives and friends.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

If we will allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God, then we will be children of God. And if we pour that example into our children and lead them by the Spirit of God, they will be children of God also. And children of God don’t shoot their classmates and teachers, children of God don’t bully the weak, children of God don’t think about killing others or themselves.

Paul writes in Romans 8, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." As we mark Pentecost once again, we see that the same Holy Spirit fire is the very thing our world yearns for today in the wake of such senseless violence brought on by the prevailing culture of godlessness and the demons of apathy, immorality, hopelessness and fear that rob our communities of vitality, morality, hope and love.

On this Ascension Sunday, Pastor Steven takes a look at that ex-traordinary event, that is the ascension of our Lord, through the eyes of Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus.

Pastor Steven delivers a powerful testimony of the mercy and grace of God, and the power of just one believer to conquer the world! "... for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

"And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us." -1 John 3:23

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Pastor Steven's 2018 Easter Message recorded at Countryside United Methodist Church, Splendora, Texas

Good Friday service recorded at Countryside United Methodist Church