Greetings in the name of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
 

At Courts of Praise Community Church, we believe that with the help of the Lord, we can rise higher every year. That’s why we begin each January with First Fruits—a time to give our best in time, talent, and resources as an act of faith and trust in God’s provision for the rest of the year.

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This is a powerful reminder to put your full trust in Him, knowing that He is the answer to every situation you face. Let this be a season of dedication and expectation, as we honor God and anticipate His blessings throughout the year.

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Christ loved you so deeply that He willingly died on the cross, offering the gift of eternal life so that we might live as sons and daughters and one day be with Him in heaven. This incredible promise is ours if we repent of our sins and receive Him into our hearts as our personal Lord and Savior.

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I encourage you to remain faithful to our Lord and His Bride, the Church. Let us commit ourselves wholeheartedly to serving Him and worshiping in the beauty of His holiness.

                                                                                                                Pastor Terry Johnson

Question: What was God’s sign to Noah that he would never destroy the earth again?

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Answer at the bottom.

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"There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" comes from Romans 8:1, and it encapsulates the core message of grace and freedom found in the Gospel. Here's a summary:

For those who believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Savior, there is no judgment or condemnation for their sins. Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus took the penalty for sin, freeing believers from guilt and eternal separation from God. This assurance is not based on human efforts or perfection but on being united with Christ through faith. As a result, believers live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, empowered to walk in righteousness and free from the bondage of sin and death.

This verse reminds us of God’s forgiveness, grace, and the new life available to all who trust in Jesus.

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1. Recognize Your Identity in Christ

• Meditate on Scripture: Embrace verses like Romans 8:1 ("There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus") and 2 Corinthians 5:17 ("If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come").

• Affirm Your Worth: Remind yourself that you are loved, forgiven, and chosen by God.

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2. Accept God’s Forgiveness

• Confess and Let Go: Acknowledge your sins, repent, and trust in God’s grace to cleanse you (1 John 1:9).

• Forgive Yourself: Stop replaying past mistakes and accept that God has already forgiven you.

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3. Focus on God's Promises

• Replace Lies with Truth: Combat feelings of guilt or inadequacy with God’s promises about your worth and purpose.

• Daily Encouragement: Read and declare affirmations based on God’s Word to renew your mind. 

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4. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

• Choose Uplifting Relationships: Spend time with people who encourage and build your confidence.

• Engage in Community: Join a supportive church group or fellowship where you can grow in faith and accountability.

 

5. Take Action Toward Growth

• Set Small Goals: Work on personal and spiritual development one step at a time.

• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and thank God for your victories, big or small.

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6. Develop a Prayer and Worship Routine

• Seek God Daily: Spend time in prayer, asking for guidance and strength to overcome negative thoughts.

• Praise and Worship: Lift your heart to God in worship, focusing on His greatness rather than your flaws. 

 

7. Serve Others

• Shift Your Focus: Serving others helps you stop dwelling on your shortcomings and recognize your ability to make a difference.

• Experience Fulfillment: Using your gifts and talents for God’s glory will boost your confidence.

 

8. Let Go of Comparisons

• Run Your Race: Focus on God’s unique plan for your life, not someone else’s.

• Trust God’s Timing: Be confident that He is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28).

 

9. Guard Your Thoughts

• Reject Condemnation: Whenever guilt or self-doubt arises, remind yourself that God’s grace has freed you.

• Think Positively: Fill your mind with things that are true, noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

 

10. Trust in God’s Grace

• Rest in His Love: Know that God loves you unconditionally, not based on your performance but because of who He is.

• Live with Confidence: Move forward knowing you are redeemed, equipped, and empowered by God.

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By applying these steps, you can grow in confidence and live free from condemnation, fully embracing the abundant life God has planned for you.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I should have memorized this verse when I was young because when I started high school as a freshman, I was a skinny little runt. If I was a fish, they’d throw me back, but many children feel much the same way when they start school in a new environment, or moving up to middle school or high school, and even college. It’s a little interesting when you start the school year out and you don’t know anyone or very few at least. Think of this; God was with you last year in school…and He’s not going anywhere this year. He’s going to be “with you wherever you go.”

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Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

This is given in a command form from the Apostle Paul. He tells the Philippians to stop being anxious about everything. Take that same “everything” and in prayer with thankfulness, make all of these requests to God. A prayer that’s full of gratitude will be a prayer that brings a better attitude. Being thankful is a choice, so just put all of your worries about school (relationships, friends, grades, papers, homework) in His hands and thank Him; even in a storm. You do that and “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

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Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Part of a godly definition of success is to not be “wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Prov 3:7). If you’re wise in your own eyes, then you’re not acknowledging God, you’re only acknowledging your own wisdom, but that won’t help to straighten the path. Besides, if you and I aren’t trusting in the Lord, we’re trusting in our own understanding, and that’s not going to end well.

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Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Notice the psalmist said “When I am afraid,” and not “If I am afraid.” Strangely, that gives me comfort to know that I’ve not been the only one to be afraid at times. I remember entering a new school and a few years later, a new college, and I didn’t know a soul! It was so odd being in the class where most everyone else knew one another, but I didn’t know anyone. What I decided to do was to start making friends. After a time, I had friends too, and felt like I fit in better, but I had to make the first move. You might too if you’re at a new school. As it turned out, one of the men I became friends with was in the same position I was.

Thinking of this my first thought was of one of my favorite songs. “I’m not tired yet!”

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Some people hate to do it. Some love to do it. Some go to great lengths to avoid doing it. Some do it too much. While there are many different attitudes toward work, one thing remains constant: work must be done. Since the Garden of Eden everyone has worked or depended on someone else's work for their survival. Work sets a person's lifestyle—where you live, when you sleep and eat, the time with family, even your dress.

Another constant about work is the fact that God has a clear perspective on it, and we are to align our thoughts with His. As you reflect on your own attitude toward work, consider the following 8 principles that outline God's view of work:

1) Work is ordained by God. It was His creative invention from the beginning. The Bible declares that God worked (Genesis 1). By working we resemble God. Like God, you have the ability to work, make plans, implement them, and be creative. Additionally, God gave us the task of ruling over and taking care of His creation (Gen. Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15). 

2) Work is for a lifetime. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground (Genesis 3:19). God intends that humans are to work as long as they live. Meaningful activity plays a critical role in being a human being - whether paid or volunteer. The magical age of 65 shouldn't end meaningful, purposeful work.

3) Work is not a punishment. God did not create work as drudgery, but as a gift of fulfillment to life. A human being can do nothing better than...find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)? 

4) Work has three purposes: to provide money or resources to supply the necessities of life; to provide for a quality of life in the satisfaction of doing a job well; and to serve God. 

5) Work calls for obedience. Even when the boss isn't looking, a good worker is consistent and diligent to the task and loyal to the organization (Colossians 3:22). The real boss is Jesus Christ. See your job as service to Him - not simply your employer. Employers should treat employees with respect and fairness.

6) Work should be done with excellence. You are to render service, as to the Lord, and not to men (Ephesians 6:6-7); not to be men-pleasers but God-pleasers. God's standard of excellence needs to be the human standard. 

7) Work is honorable. All professions and all kinds of work, assuming they are legal and biblically ethical, are honorable before the Lord. There is no dichotomy between sacred and secular work. All work brings glory to God and fulfillment to you, if it is done to God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

8) Work provides an opportunity for witness. You manifest a powerful message, both verbal and nonverbal, of a supernatural approach to work. The world today needs this powerful witness to the reality of Christ and the difference that He makes in His followers. (Matthew 5:16)

Sharing your testimony with others is a must for all Christians. When giving your testimony you tell how you came to trust in Christ alone as your Lord and Savior. You tell how God opened your eyes on how you were a sinner in need of a Savior.

We are sharing with others different events leading up to our salvation and how God has worked in our lives to bring us to repentance. Testimony is a form of praise and honor to Christ.

We also use it as a way to encourage others. Know every time when you’re going through trials and sufferings in life, that’s an opportunity to share a testimony of how God worked in your life and made you stronger.

Testimony is not only the things that we say. The way we live our life is a testimony to unbelievers as well.

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Here are some quotes from different people on Testimony.

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“Your story is the key that can unlock someone else’s prison.”

“Only God can turn mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory.”

“Your testimony is the story of your encounter with God and what role He has played throughout your life.”

“What God is bringing you through at this very moment will be the testimony that will bring someone else through. No mess, no message.”

“If you give it to God, He transforms your test into a testimony, your mess into a message, and your misery into a ministry.”

“The unbelieving world should see our testimony lived out daily because it just may point them to the Savior.” Billy Graham

“Your personal testimony, however meaningful it is to you, is not the gospel.” R. C. Sproul

“Scripture will ultimately suffice for a saving knowledge of God only when its certainty is founded upon the inward persuasion of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, these human testimonies which exist to confirm it will not be vain if, as secondary aids to our feebleness, they follow that chief and highest testimony. But those who wish to prove to unbelievers that Scripture is the Word of God are acting foolishly, for only by faith can this be known.” John Calvin

“While we cannot know a person’s heart, we can see his light. Allowing sin to go unconfessed can dim God’s light and hinder the effectiveness of a life’s testimony.” Paul Chappell

“That is what it means to be saved. You declare that you belong to another system of things. People point to you and say, “Oh, yes, that is a Christian family; they belong to the Lord!” That is the salvation which the Lord desires for you, that by your public testimony you declare before God, “My world has gone; I am entering into another.” Watchman Nee

 

 

 

Isaiah