discipline

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

@pastorjoehooten
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

God is Not a Smorgasbord

God is Not a Smorgasbord by Dr. Tony Evans

Dear Friend,

Far too many Christians today want a smorgasbord God. The kind of God where you pick and choose when you want Him and when you don’t want Him. But that’s not the kind of God He is, and the kind of people He is looking to partner with in impacting the world are those who follow single-heartedly. He doesn’t want you to just align with Him in private. He is not seeking a silent majority. He wants you and me to go public. He calls each of us to declare our allegiance to Him above all else.

God has something to say on every subject and every issue that confronts us as a culture and in our personal lives, and He has made Himself clear in His Word. If we are going to make a difference by bringing healing, oneness, justice and righteousness into a broken world, we must first get our own lives together and commit to obedience. We may have made some mistakes in the past. We may have tried to pick and choose when it comes to obedience. But we can start right now to make a better tomorrow.

Let’s declare our intention to serve God in everything we say and do. Why would we want to settle for the cafeteria god when we can have the full meal deal?

By Dr. Tony Evans

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

Conversations in the Garden

This is important stuff, maybe more important than the Sermon on the Mount, because these are Jesus’s final words before he is taken off to be tried and killed.

His first words in verse one of chapter 14 are,
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1

Just how important are those words??? How important are the final words of hope and instruction Jesus left his closest friends right before they saw him tortured and killed?

Just how important are those same words for us today. We are struggling in a post-Christian society. We are struggling in a world and country terrified by a pandemic. We are struggling with those who are becoming disillusioned with attending church. Those who are unplugging from the community of believers completely, not even viewing a service online if they have the option. We are struggling against a society that is more and more opposed to hearing the Word of Truth. Jesus tells us as well,
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1

I apologize, we had some camera issues this week, so only audio is available. Listen here.

Conversations in the Garden

Going Back in Time

Going Back in Time 
By Stacy Bohl 

If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. (Hebrews 12:8) 
There have been dramatic changes for everyone this past year. Both of our children had been away at college for a couple years. We were used to being “empty nesters” and had changed one of the kid’s rooms into an office. Shortly after the pandemic hit, our children finished their studies for the year, and we made the tough decision that they would stay home for 2020- 2021 school year. 

My husband and I both switched to working at home, so we are all at home, together, almost 24/7. I had gotten used to not having the kids around. After the kids had left, I often spent many hours working at my main job and my side-business, sometimes working 10-12 hours. 
My daughter kept coming into my office and asking me when I’d be done. On lunch breaks she’d ask me if we could go out and do something. My other daughter would accuse me of working too much. I would make excuses and even get angry when they came into my office while I was working. 

When our kids left for college, we were sad to see them go. Our family is close, and we would call each other often, but I never dreamed I would have them back at home. Why should I be angry that my kids wanted to spend time with me? That’s not what God would want for me. I decided to recognize this change as a gift from God. I adjusted by scheduling “family-only” time on my calendar. It has helped me to make sure I don’t work longer than I should. It works!

Challenge: If there areas in your life that you might be putting too much or too little time, how might you make a change?