Wednesday, September 28, 2011

“Whom Shall I Send, Who Will Go for Us?”

9-25-2011: “…I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the Temple.”  − Isaiah 6:1

The believers of Jesus Christ are fellow citizens, saints of the Household of God!  “We are built upon a strong foundation, that of the Apostles, and Prophets, and Jesus Christ our Chief Corner Stone. And as we are builded together, we are “fitly framed” and grow unto a Holy Temple in Him.
We are building together through the Holy Spirit, that we might be the Habitation of our God!” These are Words of God spoken in the Book of Ephesians.  They are the Foundation for our Message today as we examine the Prophet Isaiah.  Isaiah the Prophet had been active for 40 some years in the Southern Kingdom.  The political picture reveals a world stretching itself for a titanic struggle.  Government fostered prosperity dominated; there was a rich class and a poor class.  Religious conditions were at low tide. Israel had come to Palestine to bring God’s Message, but quickly succumbed to superstitions, customs of the East, and the deadly worship of Moloch – moral fiber was gone, ethical standards were low, prophets had left their message and little attention was being given to the spiritual welfare of the people.  The task of the true Prophet was a difficult one. God speaks to His people;  “O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, when I looked upon my vineyard, in place of good grapes, there is “wild grapes!”  Judgment was pending, Babylon captivity was pending, and their war cry would be like the roaring of young lions, they will roar and lay hold of their prey …. “In that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.” Isa. 5:30 To this scene we find Isaiah.  God reveals Himself to Isaiah and asks Him this question? “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us!” Isaiah answered more quickly then most: “Here am I; send me!” When our response is that of Isaiah’s we will envision God and His presence will fill our temple and we will hear the heavenly sound – “Holy, Holy, Holy, for the whole earth shall one day be filled with the Glory of God!  Together let us go forth in the power of His Holy Spirit …  Loving you, Pastor

“Fitly Framed!”

“We are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit.”  − Ephesians 2:20-22

9-18-2011: The Lord has impressed upon me these past few weeks that we as a Church family should look closely at the Passages of Scripture that talks about “Building up our Most Holy Faith.” And, about “Stirring up the Gifts of God within us!”  I can’t seem to leave these thoughts just yet.  The prompting of the Lord for this moment in time is that we take a good look at the Habitation that we are, that we are building for our God.  It is not meant to be a negative thought, but thoughts that inspire us to “grow” in God’s Grace, to purify our hearts and minds for the day of His coming approaches. It is not enough for us to be a “holy individual” but as we embrace the depth of the Scripture we see that our life affects others. That God is calling for His Church to be “Fitly Framed!” If we are to be fitly framed, there will be some sanding, nailing, shoring up, fitting, etc. Fitly: means adapted to an end or design, made ready!, “get the house fit:” and “being in such a state to be ready for joy, or sorrow, or suffering.”  Framed: means to shape or construct by fitting & uniting parts, “to fit or adjust for a desired end,” to produce.  The Spirit of the Lord nudges the Church as He reminds us we a powerful foundation, built upon the Apostles & Prophets, and then upon Christ, who is the Chief Corner Stone!  The saints know these things, they have read these Scriptures in God’s Word, yet there is greater depth as we meditate upon what God is saying to His people.  Think of these explanations in spiritual terms and allow the Holy Ghost to stir your spirit to action. Beside a Personal Relationship with Jesus, there is the building of the Body of His saints, that we will as a “whole” be fitly framed, growing together unto a Holy Temple in the Lord! That we will be Fitly Joined” together, compacted, every joint supplying its part and increasing the Body, edifying the Body of believers in Love.   Expressing my love to you, Pastor

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Building and Stirring

September 4, 2011 “Building & Stirring!”
Today this message is about “building & stirring!” Building a spiritual tabernacle for the Glory of God. There are Scriptures that teach us commandments regarding “Building” as a wise “Master Builder.” We are alerted in God’s Word that everyone should take heed how they build.  Obviously we are talking about building a “spiritual tabernacle- foundation” in our Christian life.  Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, they are as wood, hay, and stubble, when used in the foundation.  We are told in Scripture that “we are the Temple of God.” This takes some solemn thought provoking meditation on the part of the saint of God.  “We are the Temple of God?” And the Glorious Promise that we have is: “We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” The saints know to build a proper tabernacle for God; it must have a Foundation that is the Lord Jesus Christ.  But how do we go about this “building” process?  The Message is also about “Stirring!”  Under the direction of the Holy Ghost, Paul gave this most powerful statement to Timothy;  “… Stir up the Gift of God!...” Then Peter came along and gave this declaration: “… Stir up your pure minds…” The Psalmist writes: “…Stir up thy strength …”  As we think upon “building” for eternity and “stirring” we look to the Theological part of the Webster Dictionary to find profound statements that bring deeper meaning to our thoughts. Build: to form, to order, to construct, to develop, to increase, Stir: to change position, to rouse to activity, evoke strong feelings, to call forth, provoke [to call forth – stir up purposely], to begin to be active!  Let us stir up the Holy Ghost in our life and build a stronger Tabernacle for our Lord & Saviour!  Stirring & Building together, Love Pastor

Friday, September 2, 2011

"Faith for the Future"

August 28, 2011 “Faith for the Future”
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matt. 6:33-34
The past few weeks we have been looking at the Scriptures that build us up in Spiritual strength as we see the wickedness in our society. It appears that God is no longer first in our nation and perhaps even in the lives of His People. We know what the future holds because we have read the Book of Revelation. There we have learned that there is a “payday” for sin. Scripture also reveals the result of a nation or a people who’s God is the Lord, for God’s counsel stands forever and He has thoughts in His heart for all generations! – Psalm 33:11. In the 12th verse He tells us: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for His own inheritance.” It is not often that we think about the thoughts of God, but He calls us “His Inheritance!” We have a future in Him! This is our inheritance: to belong to Him. This is a strategic moment in which we live. As we look to the future, our hope must be in our God, not in the things of this world. We know this, but do we practice our “Faith?” Faith is more than confessing that you believe and trust the Lord Jesus. It is actually walking in a realm where you know that whatever happens He will never leave you nor forsake you. It is living the life of trust more than confessing it! Jesus commented several times regarding “little faith.” The Apostles once asked Jesus to increase their Faith. “Lord, increase our Faith for this generation!”
Loving you and desiring “Faith to be increased!” Luke 17