Find more new content from Pastor Hoot

I wrote in October that I was starting a new ministry venture into Tiktok, and I’m crossposting those videos to youTube for those who, like I was, refuse to use the TikTok app for various reasons.

Please like, follow, share, and repost the content you find edifying, challenging, or informative to help spread the message that God’s Word is life!

Visit

https://youtube.com/@godswordislifebypastorhoot3577?si=QUoMLfoXhLkEU_1S

And/or

https://www.tiktok.com/@pastorjoehooten?_t=8rwPyYh4YJj&_r=1

Leaving comments also helps me determine what kinds of content to post and topics to address. Please help shape the future of God’s Word is Life with your questions and comments.

May God bless you all.

PJ

Do not be conformed to the image of this world!

The modern global Church needs to focus more on internal sanctification and unity and less on making the “world” conform to biblical ideals.
God’s rules are for our own good, as God’s children (as defined John 1:12; Ephesians 2:4-10, 19; Romans 8:16, 1 John 2:29, 3:1-10, 4:7) and following them is our loving response within the context of our relationship as his children.
However, the Church needs to especially heed 1 Corinthians chapters 3-6, among other passages that warn against false teaching and “tolerating” ungodly, worldly behavior within the Body of Christ. Why?
1. Hypocrisy and disunity are a bane on the Christian testimony.
2. Although, most teachers agree, those who practice such sin will not result in the loss of a person’s salvation, their eternal rewards are burned up as through purifying fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 and others).
3. We (believers) are commanded to flee and not engage in all forms of sin. (1 Corinthians 5 & 6; Galatians 5:13-26; 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 1 John 2:15-17; and others)
4. This is NOT legalism, it is presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1-2)
5. We want to show Jesus’s agape love and acceptance for individuals with a call to repentance. Grace is a free gift. Obedience is a loving response. But the Church justifying and tolerating a lifestyle of sin for those who profess to be believers is totally unbiblical. (See 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

New ministry venture

From the suggestion of friends and family, I am enbarking on a new ministry venture while continuing to provide for my family by driving semi trucks.

In addition to returning to a commitment to writing more, I am finally breaking down a personal barrier and embracing TikTok as a medium to carry the Good News.

Please consider visiting and supporting my new TikTok channel and submitting topics you may like to see addressed.

May God continue to bless you as you follow Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP88D7TBA/

Sincerely,

Pastor Hoot

Apologetics?

Many know I am a licensed pastor, although I am not currently serving in vocational ministry, but many people I know now don’t know the long road that led there.
A young man recently asked me, “Does God exist?” I assured him that he most certainly does. I also offered a few brief thoughts for him to consider and offered to continue the conversation. But I wouldn’t have always given that answer.
I was raised in the Catholic church, but I went through a period of atheism and a long period as an agnostic and seeker. I denied the existence of any diety at one point. I bought into the from nothing to nothing and no point to anything arguments. I also went through a time where I could acknowledge a ‘power greater than myself’ but couldn’t decide on any identification of one god, gods, spiritual realms, mythologies, legends, including witchcraft, the occult, various Eastern and ancient philosophical and belief systems, etc… it took several long years before coming to the conclusion that Jesus was indeed who the Bible, and by extension, who he himself claims to be and accepted him as my God and Savior.
As a result of that journey, I love apologetics, which is the defense of the Christian faith, and materials related to the study of apologetics. I just finished listening to “Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh and Sean McDowell on Audible. I had read a previous edition once before. It is an excellent book for those interested in the study, but it is a bit deep and scholarly, not a light and easy read. For easier reading, I would recommend many of Lee Strobel’s works, like “The Case for Faith” and “The Case for Christ.”
Here is a good article on the divinity of Christ.

https://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/christ-divinity.htm

Gospel in a Nutshell

Don’t forget!

Don’t forget to visit, like, share, and follow God’s Word is Life on Facebook! https://m.facebook.com/pastorhoot/?tsid=0.8345818494675541&source=result

I post much more encouragement, memes, and information to that page than the website.

Rejoice Always

There are a lot of places in Scripture where it specifically says, ‘this is the will of God”, although it is certainly implied in most places. And, definitely is in the commandments…

Yet, here is one where it’s absolutely clear. It was our kids memory and handwriting verse at school Monday and Tuesday. Originally, until I said something, they looked at three verses and saw them as separate.

I had they take a closer look then zoom back out again. Guys, it’s all one sentence, one thought, one instruction.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1th.5.16-18.ESV

Jesus According to Jesus

The Gospels and the writers of the New Testament all give us a picture, a description, a historical record from many different individuals’ perspectives. Over the next four weeks though, I want to focus mostly on what Jesus said about himself. For those of you with red letter Bibles, those words throughout the New Testament that are written in red. 

Over time, as we align our congregations with God’s will and Jesus’s plan and action growing his church, and we witness to people about the hope that is within us, as Peter tells us to do…we need to know Jesus.

The best way for us to know Jesus is to know what he said about himself and why he was here, what he did for us.

Watch or listen now, as we learn more about what Jesus said about himself in our message, Jesus According to Jesus, part one in our series, Jesus, Who?

Pastor Joe, Jesus According to Jesus, audio only
Pastor Joe, Jesus According to Jesus

New Messages Coming in March

Long awaited…!

We will be starting a new message series in March.

I have been commissioned to preach every Sunday in March at Boiling Springs Church of God in Decatur, IL. Stop by 10:45 if you’re available, or stay tuned to godswordislife.com for audio and video of the messages.

May God bless you all!

Pastor Joe

Back in the Saddle Again

Friends,
Life can be so crazy and overwhelming sometimes, we know the secret of contentment comes from God alone through His Son, Jesus the Messiah, the Christ, the Holy and Appointed One of God. Philippians 4:13 reveals that secret, “I”, Paul says, “can do all things through Him (Jesus) who gives me strength.”
I am praying for strength right now, going through the holidays, working both my full-time job, part-time substitute teaching, both volunteer ministry and occasional pulpit supply preaching plus of course, famil; in the meantime, neglecting to post and write.
I apologize once again for my negligence.
Getting back on the ball, so please like, share, follow, recommend on Facebook  and godswordislife.com
God’s Word is Life and we can have peace and contentment through Him who gives us strength!
Thanks!