The Holy Season Theme is: " Advent Voices! "
Advent Thoughts From Pastor's Study:
As we ponder the Scriptures and hear the voice of Gabriel bring the supernatural messages to Joseph and Mary, one might wonder about all the things that will transpire as this Great Mystery unfolds. Once again we hear the Voice of the Old Testament Prophet Micah [5:2] -- " Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Let us draw near to a quiet night where shepherds are watching their flocks out on the hills of Bethlehem. It is a quiet and serene evening; the stars are brightly shining as the Shepherds lazily keep their eyes on the flock. In the midst of this star filled moment, " the Angel of the Lord appears " ... and very important, " the Glory of the Lord shines upon them! " Hmmm, I wonder what our reaction would be if such a supernatural being appeared unto us? Can you feel the fright of that moment? God is so gracious toward mankind, it is in being crowned with His lovingkindness that He redeems our lives form destruction and covers us with His tender mercies [Ps. 103:4]. So it was at this moment, in the midst of the presence of God's Glory that the voice of the Angel declares: "Fear Not!" and the message of all eternity is delivered! Luke 2:10-14 -- " Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The mystery is revealed with signs! " This shall be a sign unto you! Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men." O Church, hear the Word of the Lord! Ephesians 2:14 -- "He is our Peace!" As the shepherds received the message of Peace on earth.... they hasten to obey and go quickly to this glorious thing that had come to pass. And when they returned to their flock, we hear their voices--the voices of those who were blessed to visit the Christ Child first ~ "The shepherds returned, Glorifying and Praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen..." Let us exalt the Christ!
Loving you, Pastor
Saturday, December 22, 2012
" The Voice of Mystery! "
Advent Thoughts From Pastor's Study:
Paul's voice is heard as he writes under the direction of the Holy Ghost: As he talks about the "Unsearchable Riches of Christ" he reveals a mystery from the beginning of the world! " To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ " ~ Ephesians 3:9. It is called the "Fellowship of Mystery," and is a revelation that was given to the Apostle Paul. When we talk about a revelation, it is simply a truth that is uncovered, revealed. This chapter in Scripture is talking about the Church. It was in the heart of God from the beginning of all things. What a thought--how lightly Christianity takes the Church. However, the Church is not a denomination as humanity has labeled it; it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ who was with God in the beginning and all things were created by Him and for Him. In this baby that we see lying in a manager, a very low place in our society, the Church would be born--the gathering of the saints for worship, instruction and teaching--that we might know we are " Fellow heirs and partakers of God's Promise in Christ. " After the day of Pentecost, the disciples began to go among the people and declare the Christ who had been crucified. The Church was coming forth, and at Antioch the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. We are now Christians, disciples of Christ and examples of the gospel. The Babe that fulfilled the Promises of the Old Testament has revealed the mystery in the heart of God and brought Eternal Life to humanity. O the glorious Promise of such a Mystery, that mankind would dwell together and worship, not just the New born King, but we would receive the manifestation of the Christ who would dwell in the hearts of humanity and save us from our sins. There is one condition... we must repent and call upon the name of the Lord! Serving Him becomes our life sentence... for He is Emmanuel, God with us. The Mystery of the Church is in us. We are the dwelling place of the Promise of God. Let us remember we are: "Crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who Loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The Mystery revealed: He lives in us.
Loving you, Pastor
Paul's voice is heard as he writes under the direction of the Holy Ghost: As he talks about the "Unsearchable Riches of Christ" he reveals a mystery from the beginning of the world! " To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ " ~ Ephesians 3:9. It is called the "Fellowship of Mystery," and is a revelation that was given to the Apostle Paul. When we talk about a revelation, it is simply a truth that is uncovered, revealed. This chapter in Scripture is talking about the Church. It was in the heart of God from the beginning of all things. What a thought--how lightly Christianity takes the Church. However, the Church is not a denomination as humanity has labeled it; it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ who was with God in the beginning and all things were created by Him and for Him. In this baby that we see lying in a manager, a very low place in our society, the Church would be born--the gathering of the saints for worship, instruction and teaching--that we might know we are " Fellow heirs and partakers of God's Promise in Christ. " After the day of Pentecost, the disciples began to go among the people and declare the Christ who had been crucified. The Church was coming forth, and at Antioch the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. We are now Christians, disciples of Christ and examples of the gospel. The Babe that fulfilled the Promises of the Old Testament has revealed the mystery in the heart of God and brought Eternal Life to humanity. O the glorious Promise of such a Mystery, that mankind would dwell together and worship, not just the New born King, but we would receive the manifestation of the Christ who would dwell in the hearts of humanity and save us from our sins. There is one condition... we must repent and call upon the name of the Lord! Serving Him becomes our life sentence... for He is Emmanuel, God with us. The Mystery of the Church is in us. We are the dwelling place of the Promise of God. Let us remember we are: "Crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who Loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The Mystery revealed: He lives in us.
Loving you, Pastor
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Holy Season Theme is: "Advent Voices! "
" Voices of Obedience! "
Thoughts From the Pastor's Study:
Today's Advent deals with those who had their lives interrupted when they were called upon to be obedient to their Heavenly Father. In a day with so many voices, it is of great necessity that we pause to hear the Voice of the Lord in the midst of our busy schedules. His voice is ever seeking our allegiance, our attention and our devotion. It is my prayer that each one of you will read the Daily Devotion as we walk through the Holy Month of celebration of our Lord's birth. The purpose is to pause for a moment and reflect upon spiritual matters. Joseph comes to mind quickly as we see his life is somewhat in order; he is espoused to a beautiful young lady awaiting a Jewish wedding ceremony. Espoused means that all legal documents had been signed and contracts completed. All that was needed to complete the union was the wedding ceremony. While Joseph waited for that special moment, he discovers that his bride-to-be is with child. No doubt she is telling him what happened to her when the Angel Gabriel visited her. The brief details of this circumstance in Joseph's life are seen in Matthew Chapter one. Joseph is a just man/godly man. We find him in deep thought, not wanting to do anything publicly to hurt Mary. He thinks upon putting her away privately. Vs 20 " But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, far not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Vs 24-25 " Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." Joseph's obedience to his God was a great part of bringing to us our salvation. There was also another person who would surrender to the obedience of her God. Mary's reply to the information from the angel; the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would be overshadowed by the power of the Highest; and that which would be born of her wold be called the Son of God! Mary's response was; " Be it unto me according to Thy Word." But the greatest obedience was: " JESUS, being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." In this Holy Season may we be mindful of our Obedience to Jesus Christ!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts From the Pastor's Study:
Today's Advent deals with those who had their lives interrupted when they were called upon to be obedient to their Heavenly Father. In a day with so many voices, it is of great necessity that we pause to hear the Voice of the Lord in the midst of our busy schedules. His voice is ever seeking our allegiance, our attention and our devotion. It is my prayer that each one of you will read the Daily Devotion as we walk through the Holy Month of celebration of our Lord's birth. The purpose is to pause for a moment and reflect upon spiritual matters. Joseph comes to mind quickly as we see his life is somewhat in order; he is espoused to a beautiful young lady awaiting a Jewish wedding ceremony. Espoused means that all legal documents had been signed and contracts completed. All that was needed to complete the union was the wedding ceremony. While Joseph waited for that special moment, he discovers that his bride-to-be is with child. No doubt she is telling him what happened to her when the Angel Gabriel visited her. The brief details of this circumstance in Joseph's life are seen in Matthew Chapter one. Joseph is a just man/godly man. We find him in deep thought, not wanting to do anything publicly to hurt Mary. He thinks upon putting her away privately. Vs 20 " But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, far not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Vs 24-25 " Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." Joseph's obedience to his God was a great part of bringing to us our salvation. There was also another person who would surrender to the obedience of her God. Mary's reply to the information from the angel; the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would be overshadowed by the power of the Highest; and that which would be born of her wold be called the Son of God! Mary's response was; " Be it unto me according to Thy Word." But the greatest obedience was: " JESUS, being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." In this Holy Season may we be mindful of our Obedience to Jesus Christ!
Loving you, Pastor
Our Theme for This Holy Season is "Advent Voices! "
Today-- " The Prophecy of His Coming! "
From the Pastor's Study:
No doubt you have sent and received Christmas cards throughout the year with the term "Advent" upon them. Eventually one comes to know that Advent is a term used for Christmas; but too often one does not know the true meaning of "Advent." It means "Coming" - into being! It is a time of preparation in scripture for the coming of the Messiah. We explore the prophetical utterances from the Old Testament; and this year we contemplate the Voices that surround this Holy Event. There are those who say Christmas is pagan, but none the less, there was a birth of the Saviour--perhaps not on December 25th, but He was born and this we celebrate. There is coming yet another Advent! It will be the "Coming" of the Messiah in the clouds of heaven as He promised in Matthew 24:30 " Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." This was Jesus' own words as He taught in the Great Olivet Prophetical Discourse. the Apostle Paul reiterated Jesus' coming in IThessalonians 4:16-17 " For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The word Rapture is not in scripture, but the glorious Advent is truly therein these passages of scripture. Let us begin our Advent Season with preparation, four Candles, the fifth should be pink, which stands for great Joy as the birth of Christ draws near. Each night as the Daily Devotion of Advent is read, light the candle of the week and give thanks for our Saviour! let the Church celebrate Advent as one great voice of thanksgiving!
Celebrating Advent and Loving you, Pastor
From the Pastor's Study:
No doubt you have sent and received Christmas cards throughout the year with the term "Advent" upon them. Eventually one comes to know that Advent is a term used for Christmas; but too often one does not know the true meaning of "Advent." It means "Coming" - into being! It is a time of preparation in scripture for the coming of the Messiah. We explore the prophetical utterances from the Old Testament; and this year we contemplate the Voices that surround this Holy Event. There are those who say Christmas is pagan, but none the less, there was a birth of the Saviour--perhaps not on December 25th, but He was born and this we celebrate. There is coming yet another Advent! It will be the "Coming" of the Messiah in the clouds of heaven as He promised in Matthew 24:30 " Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." This was Jesus' own words as He taught in the Great Olivet Prophetical Discourse. the Apostle Paul reiterated Jesus' coming in IThessalonians 4:16-17 " For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The word Rapture is not in scripture, but the glorious Advent is truly therein these passages of scripture. Let us begin our Advent Season with preparation, four Candles, the fifth should be pink, which stands for great Joy as the birth of Christ draws near. Each night as the Daily Devotion of Advent is read, light the candle of the week and give thanks for our Saviour! let the Church celebrate Advent as one great voice of thanksgiving!
Celebrating Advent and Loving you, Pastor
" Let's Give Thanks! "
" Therefore I will give Thanks unto Thee,
O Lord, among the heathen,
and I will Sing Praises unto Thy Name! "
From the Pastor's Study:
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we not only prepare for the Thanksgiving meal, but let us meditate upon the multitude of things to be thankful for in this past year. It will take a time of meditation to remember the marvelous works of the Lord. He has brought us to another season of thankfulness. Scripture records over and over to sing unto the Lord, to marvel in His goodness, and to give unto the Lord thanksgiving. Such thanks were an intricate part of the worship throughout bible times. As you read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, you find that the judgment of the Lord was strong upon Israel and the heathen nations. There were wars, captivity, wilderness wanderings, sometimes lack of food and water, but rejoicing always returned in the midst of repentance. In the New Testament they rejoiced in 'stripes and beatings' - in imprisonment, cruel mocking, scourging, they were stoned, sawn asunder and slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented. And Scripture tell us: " All, having obtained a good report through faith..." such servants of the Lord sang at midnight in the midst of the sore discomfort! It was through prayer and supplication that they made their requests known unto their God. And in the midst of the 11th Chapter of Hebrews where we learn this information, we read: " I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee." May a Holy Ghost inspired song arise in our spirit as we face the challenges of our day. And may the song of the Lord bring to remembrance the joy of thanksgiving in our heart.
Loving you, Pastor
O Lord, among the heathen,
and I will Sing Praises unto Thy Name! "
From the Pastor's Study:
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we not only prepare for the Thanksgiving meal, but let us meditate upon the multitude of things to be thankful for in this past year. It will take a time of meditation to remember the marvelous works of the Lord. He has brought us to another season of thankfulness. Scripture records over and over to sing unto the Lord, to marvel in His goodness, and to give unto the Lord thanksgiving. Such thanks were an intricate part of the worship throughout bible times. As you read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, you find that the judgment of the Lord was strong upon Israel and the heathen nations. There were wars, captivity, wilderness wanderings, sometimes lack of food and water, but rejoicing always returned in the midst of repentance. In the New Testament they rejoiced in 'stripes and beatings' - in imprisonment, cruel mocking, scourging, they were stoned, sawn asunder and slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented. And Scripture tell us: " All, having obtained a good report through faith..." such servants of the Lord sang at midnight in the midst of the sore discomfort! It was through prayer and supplication that they made their requests known unto their God. And in the midst of the 11th Chapter of Hebrews where we learn this information, we read: " I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee." May a Holy Ghost inspired song arise in our spirit as we face the challenges of our day. And may the song of the Lord bring to remembrance the joy of thanksgiving in our heart.
Loving you, Pastor
Monday, October 29, 2012
" Choose Ye This Day! "
" What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease: and his seed shall inherit the earth."
~Psalm 25:12
From the Pastor's Study:
We are in a season of "Choice". As you know, the political arena is full of choices, from Legislatures, Governors, Mayors to the President of the United States. We are called upon to make a choice! We may choose a party, a candidate, or chose to be disinterested and not participate at all. But whatever we do, we Choose! Choices abound daily in our lives how fast to drive, when to stop or when to go; we can choose to give our tithes unto the Lord or choose to just give a portion, or perhaps just an offering. We can choose spiritual things, oppose them or not think about them. On and on go the choices that we are freely given. Our text today deals with "Choosing to fear the Lord" for we find some wonderful revealing things as we look to this scripture. If we choose to "fear" the Lord, He will teach us to choose His ways in our life. He will cause our soul to dwell in ease, that is the fleshly realm of our being will cease to war within our inner man. God's way always brings Peace and Rest, perhaps not immediately, but eventually! Our seed, children will be blessed. He will share His secrets with us and He will show us His Covenant. " We know in part, but the time will come according to..." 1 Cor. 13:12,"... that we will know Him face to face." God will give truth to honest seekers. This is the hour in our generation to seek Truth, Knowledge, and Wisdom that we might choose the right ways of God. To "fear" God is to reverence Him, respect and honor Him, His Word, and His Son who is our Salvation! Joshua gave a powerful choice to God's people in Chapter 24: "Refuse evil, choose the good" ... "choose you this day whom ye will serve," And Joshua set forth a stone to remember the moment of dedication!
Jesus is our CornerStone!
Loving you, Pastor
" Let God Arise! "
"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: ... Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, Sing praises to His name: extol Him ..."
~Psalm 68:1-4
From the Pastor's heart:
As I was in prayer and meditation these past few days, still rejoicing at the goodness of the Lord, I was reminded of several things. [1] The enemy hates God's people to rejoice, [2] As you know, he is out to rob and steal from the saints. Psalm 68 came into my spirit ~ Let God Arise! Let's think on that for a moment, "Let God Arise!" Let Him bring us above the struggles, the disappointments, the cares of this life! Our society is filled with "fear tactics!" Now who would be the author of fear? When God arises, the enemy is scattered, this is His Word! And when He arises, He calls for the "righteous," the saints, to be glad--to rejoice, to praise and to sing! I have found it is sometimes difficult to respond to the adverse things that are going on with praise and singing... but perhaps that is because we do not Arise with our Lord! To arise with the Word of God as our Shield and the Sword of His Holy Spirit. Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. When we do thin; we bring our thoughts into the captivity and obedience to our Lord and Saviour--2 Corinthians 5. In Scripture Solomon was given some powerful instruction which I believe would help us to arise and scatter the enemy ... "Know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; ..." 1 Chronicles 28:9. Remember David, the father of Solomon who God said was a man after his own heart! Therein we see a powerful learning statement; David was blessed because "his ways pleased the Lord!" David's way was to trust the Lord in all things and to let God Arise in every situation that he faced once his commitment was made to his God. Let us join together and Let God Arise!
Loving you, Pastor
~Psalm 68:1-4
From the Pastor's heart:
As I was in prayer and meditation these past few days, still rejoicing at the goodness of the Lord, I was reminded of several things. [1] The enemy hates God's people to rejoice, [2] As you know, he is out to rob and steal from the saints. Psalm 68 came into my spirit ~ Let God Arise! Let's think on that for a moment, "Let God Arise!" Let Him bring us above the struggles, the disappointments, the cares of this life! Our society is filled with "fear tactics!" Now who would be the author of fear? When God arises, the enemy is scattered, this is His Word! And when He arises, He calls for the "righteous," the saints, to be glad--to rejoice, to praise and to sing! I have found it is sometimes difficult to respond to the adverse things that are going on with praise and singing... but perhaps that is because we do not Arise with our Lord! To arise with the Word of God as our Shield and the Sword of His Holy Spirit. Cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. When we do thin; we bring our thoughts into the captivity and obedience to our Lord and Saviour--2 Corinthians 5. In Scripture Solomon was given some powerful instruction which I believe would help us to arise and scatter the enemy ... "Know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; ..." 1 Chronicles 28:9. Remember David, the father of Solomon who God said was a man after his own heart! Therein we see a powerful learning statement; David was blessed because "his ways pleased the Lord!" David's way was to trust the Lord in all things and to let God Arise in every situation that he faced once his commitment was made to his God. Let us join together and Let God Arise!
Loving you, Pastor
Monday, October 15, 2012
" Come Before His Presence Singing! "
Psalm 95:1-2 " O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms."
From the Pastor's Heart:
We are rejoicing and praising the Lord for His wonderful works in the midst of our Church. Our rejoicing is not just for the "burning of the mortgage," but for all the glorious things that He has accomplished through our Church in these 29 years. God has been the substance of his people and fortified us with the strength to overcome the cares of this life and to stand strong in the face of the adversities. Now we sing a new song unto the Lord for through Him we have triumphed over the financial difficulties. To God be the Glorious Glory! He is worthy of our praise and worship! There are many ways of rejoicing that we note in Scripture: some may dance before the Lord, some may shed tears of joy, others may sit quietly and experience a deep revelation of His presence. Some may sing and shout and wave their hands high in the air, and some may fall upon their face in the glory of His presence. But as we praise Him, our heart becomes full to overflowing with His Goodness, and then we often kneel silently in His Holy Presence and then worship and adoration comes in our being. O what a God, our Father in heaven we give our thanks unto Thee. O what a Saviour! Redeemed we sing for joy! O what a Holy Ghost, our Comfort and Power! Let us rejoice together and offer unto Him Sacrifices of Praise!
Loving you Pastor
From the Pastor's Heart:
We are rejoicing and praising the Lord for His wonderful works in the midst of our Church. Our rejoicing is not just for the "burning of the mortgage," but for all the glorious things that He has accomplished through our Church in these 29 years. God has been the substance of his people and fortified us with the strength to overcome the cares of this life and to stand strong in the face of the adversities. Now we sing a new song unto the Lord for through Him we have triumphed over the financial difficulties. To God be the Glorious Glory! He is worthy of our praise and worship! There are many ways of rejoicing that we note in Scripture: some may dance before the Lord, some may shed tears of joy, others may sit quietly and experience a deep revelation of His presence. Some may sing and shout and wave their hands high in the air, and some may fall upon their face in the glory of His presence. But as we praise Him, our heart becomes full to overflowing with His Goodness, and then we often kneel silently in His Holy Presence and then worship and adoration comes in our being. O what a God, our Father in heaven we give our thanks unto Thee. O what a Saviour! Redeemed we sing for joy! O what a Holy Ghost, our Comfort and Power! Let us rejoice together and offer unto Him Sacrifices of Praise!
Loving you Pastor
Monday, October 8, 2012
Many O Lord, my God are Thy Wonderful Works!
"Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."
--Psalm 40:5
From the Pastor's THANKFUL Heart
My heart is full of Thanksgiving unto the Lord and to all the Saints who helped to make this day possible. There were saints here during the addition-building and then the Sanctuary refurbishing and finally, the vestibule and the steeple refurbishing. There are so many people to Thank for this precious and glorious day! Then there are people who came after all the remodeling and were faithful in the giving which also helped us to reach this day--The "Burning of our Mortgage!" There were many inmates and their Prayer Groups, who walked with us through the mess and the changes, praying for us every step of the way. We thank you for covering us in Prayer through it all. There are so many people to say Thank you to--many came from other from other Churches and Prayer Groups: Some donated equipment and supplies, climbed the scaffolding and finished the ceiling. Some kept the services going in the midst of the mess! The Faithfulness of God's people: working, praying, giving; brought about this glorious day! Our Brother McClintic was always there behind the scenes making calls and getting us free items: the floor tile in the restroom and kitchen, the wood for the deck, etc. No doubt he looks down from his heavenly home and gives glory to God for this day. We want to especially Thank our Contractor, Larry Sutherland, for going the extra mile for us and doing all the things that we added after his bid. His patience was a God-send. And to the beauty of of the altar, the cross, and the pulpit, and so many other things. We Thank Neil Parker for patiently stripping and vanishing all these precious furnishing--and working with Dorothy Funk in all the financing. To God be the Glory! Again I say "To God be the Glory!" - "Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works!" So the Celebration continues as we celebrate our 29th Anniversary together in the Vineyard of our God!
Many, many Thanks to Jesus Great Name!
Loving you, Pastor
--Psalm 40:5
From the Pastor's THANKFUL Heart
My heart is full of Thanksgiving unto the Lord and to all the Saints who helped to make this day possible. There were saints here during the addition-building and then the Sanctuary refurbishing and finally, the vestibule and the steeple refurbishing. There are so many people to Thank for this precious and glorious day! Then there are people who came after all the remodeling and were faithful in the giving which also helped us to reach this day--The "Burning of our Mortgage!" There were many inmates and their Prayer Groups, who walked with us through the mess and the changes, praying for us every step of the way. We thank you for covering us in Prayer through it all. There are so many people to say Thank you to--many came from other from other Churches and Prayer Groups: Some donated equipment and supplies, climbed the scaffolding and finished the ceiling. Some kept the services going in the midst of the mess! The Faithfulness of God's people: working, praying, giving; brought about this glorious day! Our Brother McClintic was always there behind the scenes making calls and getting us free items: the floor tile in the restroom and kitchen, the wood for the deck, etc. No doubt he looks down from his heavenly home and gives glory to God for this day. We want to especially Thank our Contractor, Larry Sutherland, for going the extra mile for us and doing all the things that we added after his bid. His patience was a God-send. And to the beauty of of the altar, the cross, and the pulpit, and so many other things. We Thank Neil Parker for patiently stripping and vanishing all these precious furnishing--and working with Dorothy Funk in all the financing. To God be the Glory! Again I say "To God be the Glory!" - "Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works!" So the Celebration continues as we celebrate our 29th Anniversary together in the Vineyard of our God!
Many, many Thanks to Jesus Great Name!
Loving you, Pastor
What is God to You?
"Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of Thanksgiving, and declare His works with Rejoicing" - Psalm 107:22
From the Pastor's Study:
As we continue to celebrate the wonderful 28 years together, I can't help but Praise and Glorify our marvelous God! My heart is full of thanksgiving as I look back upon His awesome acts in behalf of our Church. All the while He was helping us and strengthening us to do what task He had called us to do, He was working in our own personal lives. What a glorious God, sending Jesus who is our Salvation, not only in forgiving our sins, but on a daily basis He is our Salvation! He helps us in our daily chores, He delivers us from a multitude of things that cross our paths. He strengthens us for each day and when we feel we have no strength, He is there! Through all the changes that have occurred these past years, He has never left us nor forsaken us, but has walked beside us in all circumstances. He truly is our Rock, He settles us, establishes us, and keeps us from the evil one. What is God to you? What is God to us? He is all these things that the Scripture reports and even more! He is our Substance, He is our Hope, He is our Eternal destination! He is worthy of our Praise and our Solemn quiet worship that reins deep in our heart and guides us through the day. He is our Defense against the works of darkness and the evilness of our world. And so often our God is our Refuge from the cares of this life. In sorrow He's our comfort, He truly is the Lily of the Valley and the Bright and Morning Star in our lives! He is the object of our Love, our Faith, our Hope, and our Eternal Life. He has given us the Gift of all Gifts, His Precious Son who has imparted the Power of the Holy Ghost in our life. God has sacrificed for us, Jesus has sacrificed for us, we can do no less. Let us offer unto Him the Sacrifices of Praise ... Psalm 4:5 -- "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord." Ps. 27:6 -- "I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of Joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord."
Giving Thanks for you!
Love, Pastor
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
" Declare His Doings? "
" In that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, Declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth." -----Isaiah 12:4-5
Thoughts from the Pastor:
While in prayer and meditation, I was reminded of the awesome things that God has done in our church family. As we celebrate our Anniversary month, we are "Declaring God's Doings in our Midst!" From the beginning of our Church life 29 years ago, we have many, many things to Declare regarding our God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has walked with this people through many hardships, dangers, and adverse conditions; yet His hand has always been upon us. Many healings have taken place as the saints stood together in prayer. Miraculous things: a small child fell out of a second story window, lit on the cement drive and God preserved him from harm. Just last week or so, a parishioner's son was hit by a van, flown in the air and came down hard up the pavement, by God's Grace he walked away. The sorrows and loss, the hardships came and went and God remained our strength in the time of sorrow. He was our comfort in the adverse seasons of our lives. There have been several soldiers that we have kept on our Prayer LIst and they have returned home safely: Salvations have taken place in the Counseling Chamber along with healed marriages and homes. Lives changed by the power of our God. Prisoners have been Biblically educated, ordained and are serving in ministry behind bars, advancing the Kingdom as we speak! Once when food was being delivered through our Food Cupboard a lady gave her heart to Jesus! O that men would "Declare" the doings of the Lord! He is our substance, our strength and the Love of our Life!
Thanking God for everyone who reads this declaration!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from the Pastor:
While in prayer and meditation, I was reminded of the awesome things that God has done in our church family. As we celebrate our Anniversary month, we are "Declaring God's Doings in our Midst!" From the beginning of our Church life 29 years ago, we have many, many things to Declare regarding our God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has walked with this people through many hardships, dangers, and adverse conditions; yet His hand has always been upon us. Many healings have taken place as the saints stood together in prayer. Miraculous things: a small child fell out of a second story window, lit on the cement drive and God preserved him from harm. Just last week or so, a parishioner's son was hit by a van, flown in the air and came down hard up the pavement, by God's Grace he walked away. The sorrows and loss, the hardships came and went and God remained our strength in the time of sorrow. He was our comfort in the adverse seasons of our lives. There have been several soldiers that we have kept on our Prayer LIst and they have returned home safely: Salvations have taken place in the Counseling Chamber along with healed marriages and homes. Lives changed by the power of our God. Prisoners have been Biblically educated, ordained and are serving in ministry behind bars, advancing the Kingdom as we speak! Once when food was being delivered through our Food Cupboard a lady gave her heart to Jesus! O that men would "Declare" the doings of the Lord! He is our substance, our strength and the Love of our Life!
Thanking God for everyone who reads this declaration!
Loving you, Pastor
" Comin' Through "
Thoughts from Pastor's Message:
Our Story continues: I went down stairs to my office in the furnace room. I was asking God to help us and feeling somewhat burdened with the thought of more expense. When all of a sudden I heard noises upstairs and particles of dust and debris began falling through the ceiling... the small group of people had rose up and were pulling down the affected walls. Plaster was everywhere and the insulation that had been in the walls had been pulled out and now the saints stood knee deep in insulation, not to mention the debris hat surrounded them. They had made a decision; they had risen up in faith to finish what we had started. Women, men and youth were busy; and as the night came upon us, much had been accomplished. It would take 60,0000 more dollars to add this completion to the loan that we already had. After much prayer it was decided that we would pray daily for the needs of the Church--it was His Church, and we depended on Him to supply what was needed. At this point the frame had been set over the lower facility, the offices, the hallway and restroom. The saints rose up again and began to write the word of God everywhere--on the floor, the walls, the 2x4s that were holding the frames. It was wall to wall, and everywhere on the floor was the Word of God. Friends came from everywhere, they threw up the wall board in the Sacristy, and in teh Church. Now how was going to get the ceiling down? Someone found scaffolding and a brother from another church came by and asked what needed to be done. Soon he was up in the ceiling and he never left until the ceiling was done. In the meantime, my brother laid at death's door in the hospital, so I was spending a lot of time there, and John Rector, along with the Commerce family, continued to hold services in the midst of all the mess and chaos; we never missed a service. I must say we often returned home after service a bit dusty. God was miraculous in our behalf. We finished the project, a whole new Church Building from the roof and siding to the entire inside. God supplied each time we needed money and we never had to redo the loan. What a Mighty God we serve; it is awesome to be reminded of His great goodness! this is our Anniversary month and we will begin the 29th year together--stronger than when we began! God came through for us and we are "Comin' Through for Him!"
Loving you, Happy Anniversary, Pastor
Our Story continues: I went down stairs to my office in the furnace room. I was asking God to help us and feeling somewhat burdened with the thought of more expense. When all of a sudden I heard noises upstairs and particles of dust and debris began falling through the ceiling... the small group of people had rose up and were pulling down the affected walls. Plaster was everywhere and the insulation that had been in the walls had been pulled out and now the saints stood knee deep in insulation, not to mention the debris hat surrounded them. They had made a decision; they had risen up in faith to finish what we had started. Women, men and youth were busy; and as the night came upon us, much had been accomplished. It would take 60,0000 more dollars to add this completion to the loan that we already had. After much prayer it was decided that we would pray daily for the needs of the Church--it was His Church, and we depended on Him to supply what was needed. At this point the frame had been set over the lower facility, the offices, the hallway and restroom. The saints rose up again and began to write the word of God everywhere--on the floor, the walls, the 2x4s that were holding the frames. It was wall to wall, and everywhere on the floor was the Word of God. Friends came from everywhere, they threw up the wall board in the Sacristy, and in teh Church. Now how was going to get the ceiling down? Someone found scaffolding and a brother from another church came by and asked what needed to be done. Soon he was up in the ceiling and he never left until the ceiling was done. In the meantime, my brother laid at death's door in the hospital, so I was spending a lot of time there, and John Rector, along with the Commerce family, continued to hold services in the midst of all the mess and chaos; we never missed a service. I must say we often returned home after service a bit dusty. God was miraculous in our behalf. We finished the project, a whole new Church Building from the roof and siding to the entire inside. God supplied each time we needed money and we never had to redo the loan. What a Mighty God we serve; it is awesome to be reminded of His great goodness! this is our Anniversary month and we will begin the 29th year together--stronger than when we began! God came through for us and we are "Comin' Through for Him!"
Loving you, Happy Anniversary, Pastor
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
" Rise and Build "
Nehemiah: " I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. " -- Neh. 2:18
Thoughts from the Pastor's Message:
The end of April 1999, Sunday Morning, we had just finished the Ministers' Gathering and the staff had gathered for prayer in my office (which was in the furnace room.) Our guest minister came into the prayer time and declared: " I was listening to you folks praying and God spoke to me and said, tell them, " it is time to rise and build." From the day I walked into this small and precious sanctuary, there was a burning zeal in my heart to push out the side wall, which would be over the lower facility that extended beyond the sanctuary. Now, fifteen years later, the voice of the Lord confirmed the time to build. Miracles began to happen; but the provision of God came into view the enemy sorely vexed our project. Termites! They had invaded the front wall of the sanctuary and our big, beautiful hundred year-old stained glass window hung by threads. Once this enemy was revealed, we learned the whole front side of the church was greatly affected and at any given moment when the steeple bell was run, it could have come crashing down, but God! So many times in the year of 2000 God came to our aid. It was impossible to add a new section to the old, worn and termite-eaten section. The contractor said, "Isn't there something about putting new things into old things. Little did he know he was reminding us of Mark 2:22: "No man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred:but new wine must be put into new bottles." We would need 60 thousand+ more dollars. We had already taken a giant step of faith as we signed the papers for the loan for the addition. It was a Wednesday night and I, like Nehemiah, told the people what the Man of God had said and what I believed God was saying by the contractor's remark. I asked them to pray. I went down to my office asking God to help us and feeling somewhat downcast, when all of a sudden I heard noises upstairs and particles of dust and debris began falling through the ceiling... this is our story, to be continued.
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from the Pastor's Message:
The end of April 1999, Sunday Morning, we had just finished the Ministers' Gathering and the staff had gathered for prayer in my office (which was in the furnace room.) Our guest minister came into the prayer time and declared: " I was listening to you folks praying and God spoke to me and said, tell them, " it is time to rise and build." From the day I walked into this small and precious sanctuary, there was a burning zeal in my heart to push out the side wall, which would be over the lower facility that extended beyond the sanctuary. Now, fifteen years later, the voice of the Lord confirmed the time to build. Miracles began to happen; but the provision of God came into view the enemy sorely vexed our project. Termites! They had invaded the front wall of the sanctuary and our big, beautiful hundred year-old stained glass window hung by threads. Once this enemy was revealed, we learned the whole front side of the church was greatly affected and at any given moment when the steeple bell was run, it could have come crashing down, but God! So many times in the year of 2000 God came to our aid. It was impossible to add a new section to the old, worn and termite-eaten section. The contractor said, "Isn't there something about putting new things into old things. Little did he know he was reminding us of Mark 2:22: "No man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred:but new wine must be put into new bottles." We would need 60 thousand+ more dollars. We had already taken a giant step of faith as we signed the papers for the loan for the addition. It was a Wednesday night and I, like Nehemiah, told the people what the Man of God had said and what I believed God was saying by the contractor's remark. I asked them to pray. I went down to my office asking God to help us and feeling somewhat downcast, when all of a sudden I heard noises upstairs and particles of dust and debris began falling through the ceiling... this is our story, to be continued.
Loving you, Pastor
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Missions Sunday at Commerce Community Church
Our Missionary Guests Today
"Dr. Janet MacArthur and Pastor Henry Musena"
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
- Romans 10:15
Thoughts from the Pastor:
It is very special to have missionaries with us on Mission Sunday. Today we welcome our Missionary, Dr. Janet MacArthur, and a co-worker, Pastor Musena from Uganda. Dr. Janet, my friend, once a student at Shalom Bible College, is now a veteran of the nations. Some of the Commerce family have traveled to Africa with her and experienced the nations first hand. We traveled to Nairobi, Kakamega and to Bungoma together spreading the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a special moment to have her with us today. Her coworker, Brother Musena, who she brought with her today, is a Pastor in Uganda and he will share with us today. We are thankful today that we as a Church family can in some small way be a part of the Great Commission through our missionaries. Some can go as our friends here today, some can pray, which we do often, and some can give. Together we answer the call the God to the nations.
We need only to read the book of Acts to see the great price that has been paid in the lives of the Apostles as they responded to God's mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus. Whatever part of the Mission Call that we partake of, I always remember the promise of Jesus as He commissioned the disciples: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8
We, His disciples, have been commissioned to be His witness in Jerusalem (home), Judea (our nation), Samaria (outcasts of society), and to the nations of the world.
May our prayer be: "O Lord Jesus, help us to have an anointed testimony that will witness of You, strong upon the throne of our lives. And may our prayers be hard before Your Throne for our missionaries who have gone forth into the world to spread the Gospel of your Great Sacrifice. We give you praise!
Loving you, Pastor
Pastor Henry preached on " Touching the Heart of God!"
The points Pastor Henry made were:
God uses the weak and despised for His work according 1Cor 1:26-30.
Three ways to be involved with missions for the nations:
A) going to the nations
B) praying for the nations
C) giving to those who are called to missions
AND... Prayer is NOT a spare time activity, it should be like the very air you breathe!
God has a need... that no one will perish(2Peter 3:9) and that all men will come to the Kingdom of God.
We need a bigger vision than just TODAY!
His message definitely stirred us to see missions through God's eyes, not the eyes of circumstances or the world perspective!
God Bless you, Pastor Henry for sharing God's Word with us!
Monday, August 27, 2012
" A Challenged Testimony "
" Then answered I, and said unto them, The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build:"
Nehemiah 2:20
Thoughts from Pastor's Message:
What a glorious service we had last week as Mercy's Bridge came to minister in concert at our church. We celebrated with Dr. Goerndt and honored her 26 years with us at Commerce. We were thankful to God that she has continued strong in the "Teaching of the Word of God" in our Sunday School College Hour each week.
We have been talking about our testimonies and looking at the men and women of the Old Testament whose testimonies have encouraged us. It is a wonderful Testimony to exhort the Word of God faithfully for many years! We love the Word of God at Commerce! We also love Anointed Music and the Blessed fellowship of the saints! Psalms 133 comes to mind as I mention our fellowship-- " Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment... as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
We continue the Testimonies of the Old Testament today as we see Nehemiah Challenged by His Testimony. In this moment and time, we also are challenged to be a 'Living Testimony'. There was a lot of devastation in Jerusalem, Ezra had returned to rebuild the temple, but the walls of the city were in ruin. Nehemiah declared in 2:17, "... Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth in waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."
As I prepared this message and realized the conditions of our country, I felt like Nehemiah... in 1:4, "He sat down and wept, and mourned, and fasted and Prayed before the God of Heaven:" Fasting and Prayer and weeping before the altar is what it will take to alleviate the distress of our nation. We are challenged by our Testimony!
Loving you, Pastor
Nehemiah 2:20
Thoughts from Pastor's Message:
What a glorious service we had last week as Mercy's Bridge came to minister in concert at our church. We celebrated with Dr. Goerndt and honored her 26 years with us at Commerce. We were thankful to God that she has continued strong in the "Teaching of the Word of God" in our Sunday School College Hour each week.
We have been talking about our testimonies and looking at the men and women of the Old Testament whose testimonies have encouraged us. It is a wonderful Testimony to exhort the Word of God faithfully for many years! We love the Word of God at Commerce! We also love Anointed Music and the Blessed fellowship of the saints! Psalms 133 comes to mind as I mention our fellowship-- " Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment... as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
We continue the Testimonies of the Old Testament today as we see Nehemiah Challenged by His Testimony. In this moment and time, we also are challenged to be a 'Living Testimony'. There was a lot of devastation in Jerusalem, Ezra had returned to rebuild the temple, but the walls of the city were in ruin. Nehemiah declared in 2:17, "... Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth in waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach."
As I prepared this message and realized the conditions of our country, I felt like Nehemiah... in 1:4, "He sat down and wept, and mourned, and fasted and Prayed before the God of Heaven:" Fasting and Prayer and weeping before the altar is what it will take to alleviate the distress of our nation. We are challenged by our Testimony!
Loving you, Pastor
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Welcome to this Special Service....
Mercy's Bridge is with us today in Worship & in Concert!
Thoughts from Pastor Rice:
What a glorious day to fellowship together in our Lord's House! It is always an Awesome day when the Family of God gathers together to praise His Holy Name! Today is a great day for Rejoicing! Let us therefore rejoice in the goodness of the Lord as we sing His Praises! Music is strength to the soul as the Lord is magnified in song. The Book of Psalms is full of singing and rejoicing, and this is a day when the saints of God need the Song of the Lord in their spirit! The good old fashioned songs of the ancients that glorify The Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. I have learned in these days, it is the Song of the Lord that keeps us from evil, stirs our heart, and nourishes our inner man. Right this moment, the strains of this song runs through my spirit: " I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing..." I am so grateful for the Mercy of the Lord, and as I sing it in my spirit, I am overwhelmed with His Presence! Think of this glorious song: " This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long..." Christianity needs to beef up their songs of Praise until their heart is stirred and worship becomes the theme of their life. After all, God said in Psalms 81:10, " I Am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Egypt is a type of the world and God has surely brought us out of the world and set our feet on solid ground, the Rock! How can we not open wide our mouths in songs of Praise? This is a great cause for Praise and Worship! When the depth of Praise comes from within and rises before the throne of God, the heavenly language kicks in and we are caught up in the Presence of our Lord and Savior~ then "Worship comes forth!" Let us meditate upon the songs of the Lord that glorify Him and encourage our inner man. It is in the midst of great trial that David's songs burst forth, full of thanksgiving, sometimes singing of the vexation of his soul, but declaring the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, like: "My soul, in sad exile, was out on life's sea so burdened with sin and distressed, Till I heard a sweet voice saying, 'Make Me your choice,' and I entered the Haven of Rest! I've anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest, I'll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest mat sweep o'er the wild stormy deep, In Jesus I'm safe evermore..." Let the Songs of the Lord sweep o'er your soul today as we enjoy this special occasion and fellowship together in His Presence!
Loving you, Pastor
To honor Sunday School month, Commerce Community Church honored Dr. Phyllis D. Goerndt for her service over the past 26 years in teaching Sunday School and imparting the Word of God to us.
She also serves as Prayer Leader, Ministry of music [piano], is Department Head for the Nouthetic Counseling, teaches & grades for the Shalom Bible College, serves in the Food Cupboard, and is a Deacon/Elder for visitation.
We Love you Dr. Goerndt! Blessings to you!
Thoughts from Pastor Rice:
What a glorious day to fellowship together in our Lord's House! It is always an Awesome day when the Family of God gathers together to praise His Holy Name! Today is a great day for Rejoicing! Let us therefore rejoice in the goodness of the Lord as we sing His Praises! Music is strength to the soul as the Lord is magnified in song. The Book of Psalms is full of singing and rejoicing, and this is a day when the saints of God need the Song of the Lord in their spirit! The good old fashioned songs of the ancients that glorify The Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. I have learned in these days, it is the Song of the Lord that keeps us from evil, stirs our heart, and nourishes our inner man. Right this moment, the strains of this song runs through my spirit: " I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing..." I am so grateful for the Mercy of the Lord, and as I sing it in my spirit, I am overwhelmed with His Presence! Think of this glorious song: " This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long..." Christianity needs to beef up their songs of Praise until their heart is stirred and worship becomes the theme of their life. After all, God said in Psalms 81:10, " I Am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Egypt is a type of the world and God has surely brought us out of the world and set our feet on solid ground, the Rock! How can we not open wide our mouths in songs of Praise? This is a great cause for Praise and Worship! When the depth of Praise comes from within and rises before the throne of God, the heavenly language kicks in and we are caught up in the Presence of our Lord and Savior~ then "Worship comes forth!" Let us meditate upon the songs of the Lord that glorify Him and encourage our inner man. It is in the midst of great trial that David's songs burst forth, full of thanksgiving, sometimes singing of the vexation of his soul, but declaring the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, like: "My soul, in sad exile, was out on life's sea so burdened with sin and distressed, Till I heard a sweet voice saying, 'Make Me your choice,' and I entered the Haven of Rest! I've anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest, I'll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest mat sweep o'er the wild stormy deep, In Jesus I'm safe evermore..." Let the Songs of the Lord sweep o'er your soul today as we enjoy this special occasion and fellowship together in His Presence!
Loving you, Pastor
To honor Sunday School month, Commerce Community Church honored Dr. Phyllis D. Goerndt for her service over the past 26 years in teaching Sunday School and imparting the Word of God to us.
She also serves as Prayer Leader, Ministry of music [piano], is Department Head for the Nouthetic Counseling, teaches & grades for the Shalom Bible College, serves in the Food Cupboard, and is a Deacon/Elder for visitation.
We Love you Dr. Goerndt! Blessings to you!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
" Testimonies Continue! " Part 2
"Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the Testimony of Thy mouth. For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven. Thy Faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth." -Psalm 119:88-90
Thoughts from the Pastor's Message:
O the glorious testimonies of scripture! As we focus on the awesome acts of God in the Old Testament, we are overwhelmed with His presence and the glory of His wonderful dealings with mankind. Most saints know the stories that have been told to the children down through the ages in Sunday School. But somehow when they are under the theme of His glorious testimonies, we are renewed in our spirit and strengthened in our faith. The saints of the Old Testament were humans such as we are, but they dared to follow the commands of God; and when they did, they beheld His awesome hand delivering them. God's acts were glorious; however, He desired that we come to know His ways and to follow hard after His instructions.
For those who have served the Lord for many years, we wonder how anyone can exist without Him, yet there are multitudes that reject our Saviour. This is why some of Jesus' last Words to His followers were: "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Our Father God sent His Only Begotten Son with a great purpose, that we would be a witness of the Glory of God, and that we would then go forth into all the world and declare His "so great a Salvation."
This is a defining moment in our history, a time to stand up for the Gospel, for the sacrifice of our Lord and be His witness in the earth. This is the moment to testify of how He has worked in our lives, the moment to be a faithful witness of His glorious acts among humanity!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from the Pastor's Message:
O the glorious testimonies of scripture! As we focus on the awesome acts of God in the Old Testament, we are overwhelmed with His presence and the glory of His wonderful dealings with mankind. Most saints know the stories that have been told to the children down through the ages in Sunday School. But somehow when they are under the theme of His glorious testimonies, we are renewed in our spirit and strengthened in our faith. The saints of the Old Testament were humans such as we are, but they dared to follow the commands of God; and when they did, they beheld His awesome hand delivering them. God's acts were glorious; however, He desired that we come to know His ways and to follow hard after His instructions.
For those who have served the Lord for many years, we wonder how anyone can exist without Him, yet there are multitudes that reject our Saviour. This is why some of Jesus' last Words to His followers were: "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Our Father God sent His Only Begotten Son with a great purpose, that we would be a witness of the Glory of God, and that we would then go forth into all the world and declare His "so great a Salvation."
This is a defining moment in our history, a time to stand up for the Gospel, for the sacrifice of our Lord and be His witness in the earth. This is the moment to testify of how He has worked in our lives, the moment to be a faithful witness of His glorious acts among humanity!
Loving you, Pastor
Sunday, August 5, 2012
"Living the Testimony"
" I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations. " Psalms 89:1
Thoughts from Pastor's Sermon:
We have been studying about testifying-- testimonies and sharing our faith. Over and over in scripture we find the the testimonies of the patriarchs, the prophets, and the Psalmist, but until we isolate the testimonies and read the scriptures, we perhaps never realize the greatness of the individual's testimony before the Lord. For example, Daniel's great witness standing up for prayer when it would cost him his life. He "lived" his testimony. An adverse circumstance arose and he was thrown in the lion's den. When the king came to the lion's den, he cried out with a lamenting voice, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, who thou servest continually able to deliver thee from the lions?" And Daniels' testimony was, "O king, live for ever. My God hath sent His angel and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." (Daniel 6:20-22) Then we have the three Hebrew children who again stood up for the worship of God and not the gods of this world. they, too, lived their testimony and when threatened with the 'fiery furnace,' this was the three Hebrew children's testimony: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king." Consider Naaman, the king's captain, full of leprosy he came to the Prophet Elisha and was told to dip in the Jordan seven times: He was "wroth, and went away," but his servant encouraged him to obey and when he obeyed the prophet of the Lord, his testimony was: "Behold now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel." (2 Kings 5:15) It is one thing to testify and witness for Christ; it is still another thing to live the testimony. Consider Abraham who God asked to sacrifice his only son of the wife he loved so much. His testimony was: Isaac said to his father, Abraham, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham's testimony was: "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." (Genesis 22:7-8) The beloved Mary, not understanding at all what was happening to her when she found out she was with child by the Holy Ghost, gave this testimony: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoices in God, my Saviour. For He that is might hath done to me great things; and Holy is His name. (Luke 1:46-49)
Love you much, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Sermon:
We have been studying about testifying-- testimonies and sharing our faith. Over and over in scripture we find the the testimonies of the patriarchs, the prophets, and the Psalmist, but until we isolate the testimonies and read the scriptures, we perhaps never realize the greatness of the individual's testimony before the Lord. For example, Daniel's great witness standing up for prayer when it would cost him his life. He "lived" his testimony. An adverse circumstance arose and he was thrown in the lion's den. When the king came to the lion's den, he cried out with a lamenting voice, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, who thou servest continually able to deliver thee from the lions?" And Daniels' testimony was, "O king, live for ever. My God hath sent His angel and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." (Daniel 6:20-22) Then we have the three Hebrew children who again stood up for the worship of God and not the gods of this world. they, too, lived their testimony and when threatened with the 'fiery furnace,' this was the three Hebrew children's testimony: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king." Consider Naaman, the king's captain, full of leprosy he came to the Prophet Elisha and was told to dip in the Jordan seven times: He was "wroth, and went away," but his servant encouraged him to obey and when he obeyed the prophet of the Lord, his testimony was: "Behold now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel." (2 Kings 5:15) It is one thing to testify and witness for Christ; it is still another thing to live the testimony. Consider Abraham who God asked to sacrifice his only son of the wife he loved so much. His testimony was: Isaac said to his father, Abraham, "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" And Abraham's testimony was: "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." (Genesis 22:7-8) The beloved Mary, not understanding at all what was happening to her when she found out she was with child by the Holy Ghost, gave this testimony: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoices in God, my Saviour. For He that is might hath done to me great things; and Holy is His name. (Luke 1:46-49)
Love you much, Pastor
Sunday, July 29, 2012
"One Generation Shall Praise Thy Works to Another!
" One generation shall Praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy Mighty Acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of Thy majesty, and of Thy Wondrous Works." Psalms 145: 4-5
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Last Sunday we enjoyed the Testimonies of the saints in this congregation. It was an uplifting time as each one gave Glory to the Lord. It is an Awesome thought that is imparted to us in Psalms 145:4-5 that each generation should Testify to the Works of the Lord in their life. We see in Deut. 6:5-7, where the Lord commands that we Love Him with all our heart, our soul, and with all our might! This Scripture continues to command that they teach this to the generations to come... VS 7--- " Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up." And so begins the generations and the Words of Psalms 145:4-5 which serves as a reminder for us today. We have a responsibility to share the Goodness of the Lord, the Testimonies of our God from generation to generation. Scripture bears this out as we explore specific passages where there is Testimony of the "doing" of the Lord, the power of His Mighty Works. Our God is still in action today! And He promises... " If thy children will keep My Covenant and My Testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore." This is our destiny as we delight in the Testimonies of the Lord and His Workings in our lives-- " Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by Grace ye are Saved; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" -- Eph. 2:5-6: O Let the Church rise up in the Power of His Holy Ghost and Testify; Witness the Mighty Acts of our Savior and His Redeeming Salvation!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Last Sunday we enjoyed the Testimonies of the saints in this congregation. It was an uplifting time as each one gave Glory to the Lord. It is an Awesome thought that is imparted to us in Psalms 145:4-5 that each generation should Testify to the Works of the Lord in their life. We see in Deut. 6:5-7, where the Lord commands that we Love Him with all our heart, our soul, and with all our might! This Scripture continues to command that they teach this to the generations to come... VS 7--- " Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up." And so begins the generations and the Words of Psalms 145:4-5 which serves as a reminder for us today. We have a responsibility to share the Goodness of the Lord, the Testimonies of our God from generation to generation. Scripture bears this out as we explore specific passages where there is Testimony of the "doing" of the Lord, the power of His Mighty Works. Our God is still in action today! And He promises... " If thy children will keep My Covenant and My Testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore." This is our destiny as we delight in the Testimonies of the Lord and His Workings in our lives-- " Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by Grace ye are Saved; And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" -- Eph. 2:5-6: O Let the Church rise up in the Power of His Holy Ghost and Testify; Witness the Mighty Acts of our Savior and His Redeeming Salvation!
Loving you, Pastor
" I Remember Jesus! "
" Jesus took Bread, and gave Thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me." -- Luke 22:19
Thoughts from Pastor's Message:
Today the Lord has laid on my heart something very special to do with the Commerce Family. It will be a " Service of Remembrance!" A time to reflect on something that the Lord has done for you in your life. It will be a " Bless and Share Service." This is how it works: I will begin and share with you something that the Lord has done for me in my life. [We must keep it brief so that everyone will have opportunity to share the goodness of the Lord in their life.] Once I have concluded my moment of " Remembering," I will Bless someone else to share their Remembrance of our Lord working in their life. It is important that we do this often in our daily routines for it is a Commandment of our Lord Jesus. As Jesus was at the Last Supper with His Disciples, He shared the emblems that expressed Himself, The Bread, His Body: The Fruit of the Vine, that expressed His Blood that would be poured out for our Salvation. Our greatest example of this "Remembering" is probably found in the Book of Psalms. There, the Psalmist remembers he was fashioned in his Mother's womb, and he was fearfully and wonderfully made. He rejoices at the glorious wonders of God's creation; he revels in the God of His Salvation and cries out that the Holy Spirit be not taken from him. He testifies and sings that the Lord is his Rock, his fortress, his Deliverer, his Strength... He sings and praises on... " I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised! -- He delivered me from my strong enemy..." This is our Lord & Savior. He has delivered us! All Glory to His Holy Name!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Message:
Today the Lord has laid on my heart something very special to do with the Commerce Family. It will be a " Service of Remembrance!" A time to reflect on something that the Lord has done for you in your life. It will be a " Bless and Share Service." This is how it works: I will begin and share with you something that the Lord has done for me in my life. [We must keep it brief so that everyone will have opportunity to share the goodness of the Lord in their life.] Once I have concluded my moment of " Remembering," I will Bless someone else to share their Remembrance of our Lord working in their life. It is important that we do this often in our daily routines for it is a Commandment of our Lord Jesus. As Jesus was at the Last Supper with His Disciples, He shared the emblems that expressed Himself, The Bread, His Body: The Fruit of the Vine, that expressed His Blood that would be poured out for our Salvation. Our greatest example of this "Remembering" is probably found in the Book of Psalms. There, the Psalmist remembers he was fashioned in his Mother's womb, and he was fearfully and wonderfully made. He rejoices at the glorious wonders of God's creation; he revels in the God of His Salvation and cries out that the Holy Spirit be not taken from him. He testifies and sings that the Lord is his Rock, his fortress, his Deliverer, his Strength... He sings and praises on... " I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised! -- He delivered me from my strong enemy..." This is our Lord & Savior. He has delivered us! All Glory to His Holy Name!
Loving you, Pastor
"The God of Dedication"
" The eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the Dedication of the Altar seven days..." 2 Chronicles 7:9
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Today we are blessed with "Dedicating" a child. It is a glorious occasion and one I know blesses our Father in Heaven. We see the example of this as we read in Luke 2 where the parents of Jesus bring him to the Temple. There, He is blessed by the Priest and it is prophesied, "He is a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy People Israel." This is awesome, for at this moment of the Child Jesus' dedication, it was revealed that He would not only be the Light to Israel, but to the Gentiles, that's us! Seeing Simeon, the Prophet of God, taking Jesus up in his arms and blessing has become the pattern even to this generation as we bring our children to the Lord! God is a God of Dedication! As we read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, often there is mention of God requiring Israel to dedicate things. In the Book of Numbers, there is the anointing and dedication of the Altar. In the Book of Ezra, there is the dedication of the House of God and with "Joy!" In Nehemiah, there is the dedication of the Walls of Jerusalem, with "gladness and thanksgiving, singing, and with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps." In Psalms, there were songs of dedication and in 2 Samuel, the spoils of war, vessels of gold and silver and brass were dedicated to the Lord. Think of this: The Old Testament Covenant and the New Testament Covenant that God made with His people were dedicated in Blood. On and on, the occasions wherein dedication is mentioned in Scripture. Then, there are events such as the "Blessing of the Christ Child" that does not have a word dedication; but the fact of dedicating is there as the Child was presented in the Temple. We see this in Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." This is the moment in our generation that God is calling for His people to present themselves afresh to Him! Our Altar is dedicated and ready for this precious purpose!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Today we are blessed with "Dedicating" a child. It is a glorious occasion and one I know blesses our Father in Heaven. We see the example of this as we read in Luke 2 where the parents of Jesus bring him to the Temple. There, He is blessed by the Priest and it is prophesied, "He is a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy People Israel." This is awesome, for at this moment of the Child Jesus' dedication, it was revealed that He would not only be the Light to Israel, but to the Gentiles, that's us! Seeing Simeon, the Prophet of God, taking Jesus up in his arms and blessing has become the pattern even to this generation as we bring our children to the Lord! God is a God of Dedication! As we read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, often there is mention of God requiring Israel to dedicate things. In the Book of Numbers, there is the anointing and dedication of the Altar. In the Book of Ezra, there is the dedication of the House of God and with "Joy!" In Nehemiah, there is the dedication of the Walls of Jerusalem, with "gladness and thanksgiving, singing, and with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps." In Psalms, there were songs of dedication and in 2 Samuel, the spoils of war, vessels of gold and silver and brass were dedicated to the Lord. Think of this: The Old Testament Covenant and the New Testament Covenant that God made with His people were dedicated in Blood. On and on, the occasions wherein dedication is mentioned in Scripture. Then, there are events such as the "Blessing of the Christ Child" that does not have a word dedication; but the fact of dedicating is there as the Child was presented in the Temple. We see this in Romans 12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." This is the moment in our generation that God is calling for His people to present themselves afresh to Him! Our Altar is dedicated and ready for this precious purpose!
Loving you, Pastor
Sunday, July 8, 2012
"Our Gracious God!"
"The Lord was gracious unto them, and had Compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of His Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast He them from His presence as yet." 2 Kings 13:23
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
As I read the Scriptures regarding Moses, the children of Israel; I am amazed at what I see. Here was a nation of God's people, favored by God above all the peoples of the earth, and yet they continued to go against God. In our Congregational Scripture Reading today, we note that while they were disobedient, and actually shameful in attributing the great Exodus from bondage to the molten calf, it makes me ponder the graciousness of our God. It also reminds me of God's children in America. We are a nation founded on Godly principles; but the Godliness of our nation is fastly losing its commitment to God and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Our nation is built on sacrifice: God's Son sacrificed for our eternal existence and the forefathers of our nation sacrificed themselves as they signed the Declaration of Independence, which signing brought about our freedom as a nation. God dealt with the nations of the Old Testament as they refused to obey Him. God always deals with rebellion. Yet, as we read the Scriptures of God's dealings with His children, we hear over and over: He is a gracious God! What does gracious mean to us? There are several statements in Webster's Dictionary; the very first being: "Godly!" Gracious is an attribute of our God. "Graceful" is next, not only are we talking about how we conduct ourselves, but "Grace" is part of our Liberty in Christ. As the definitions go on we find: "Merciful, Compassionate!": God continues to be gracious, compassionate, and merciful toward America. But, never let us forget the sacrifices that have been made lest judgment be the portion of a nation that turns its back on our gracious God! We see the graciousness of Christ as He speaks to Peter and tells him, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:32
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
As I read the Scriptures regarding Moses, the children of Israel; I am amazed at what I see. Here was a nation of God's people, favored by God above all the peoples of the earth, and yet they continued to go against God. In our Congregational Scripture Reading today, we note that while they were disobedient, and actually shameful in attributing the great Exodus from bondage to the molten calf, it makes me ponder the graciousness of our God. It also reminds me of God's children in America. We are a nation founded on Godly principles; but the Godliness of our nation is fastly losing its commitment to God and His Holy Son, Jesus Christ. Our nation is built on sacrifice: God's Son sacrificed for our eternal existence and the forefathers of our nation sacrificed themselves as they signed the Declaration of Independence, which signing brought about our freedom as a nation. God dealt with the nations of the Old Testament as they refused to obey Him. God always deals with rebellion. Yet, as we read the Scriptures of God's dealings with His children, we hear over and over: He is a gracious God! What does gracious mean to us? There are several statements in Webster's Dictionary; the very first being: "Godly!" Gracious is an attribute of our God. "Graceful" is next, not only are we talking about how we conduct ourselves, but "Grace" is part of our Liberty in Christ. As the definitions go on we find: "Merciful, Compassionate!": God continues to be gracious, compassionate, and merciful toward America. But, never let us forget the sacrifices that have been made lest judgment be the portion of a nation that turns its back on our gracious God! We see the graciousness of Christ as He speaks to Peter and tells him, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:32
Loving you, Pastor
Saturday, July 7, 2012
"Partakers of the Inheritance!"
"Giving Thanks unto God the Father, which hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the saints in Light." Colossians 1:12
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Many thoughts move through my mind as I think of this glorious day of the "Declaration of Independence!" We as a nation have lived in freedom so long that we take for granted the liberty that God has granted us. Rarely do we think of the 56 men who laid their lives on the line that we today might have this freedom. While society today would like to remove God out of everything, He was very present at the signing of this Declaration. The men who fought for our freedom believed in Him. Today there are those in the leadership of our country that prize the fact that it was their faith, their trust in God that brought about our inheritance--an inheritance of freedom above most nations. Why has America been blessed? Scripture reveals: Psalms 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His Own Inheritance." This is a powerful statement coming out of the Book of Psalms. The Psalmist is a worshipper! This 33rd Psalm opens with great rejoicing; the psaltery and ten stringed instruments are in motion and the Word of the Lord is declared and I hear the song in my spirit... "Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!" There is much rejoicing as the Psalmist describes the wonderful acts of God in our world! As we celebrate another year of our freedom, let us rejoice; let us recognize the awesome acts of our God in His creative glory! Let us not take for granted our freedom in the earth nor our freedom in God! We are a Blessed Nation because our foundation is built on Him.
Rejoicing in the Liberty that has set us Free!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Many thoughts move through my mind as I think of this glorious day of the "Declaration of Independence!" We as a nation have lived in freedom so long that we take for granted the liberty that God has granted us. Rarely do we think of the 56 men who laid their lives on the line that we today might have this freedom. While society today would like to remove God out of everything, He was very present at the signing of this Declaration. The men who fought for our freedom believed in Him. Today there are those in the leadership of our country that prize the fact that it was their faith, their trust in God that brought about our inheritance--an inheritance of freedom above most nations. Why has America been blessed? Scripture reveals: Psalms 33:12, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His Own Inheritance." This is a powerful statement coming out of the Book of Psalms. The Psalmist is a worshipper! This 33rd Psalm opens with great rejoicing; the psaltery and ten stringed instruments are in motion and the Word of the Lord is declared and I hear the song in my spirit... "Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him!" There is much rejoicing as the Psalmist describes the wonderful acts of God in our world! As we celebrate another year of our freedom, let us rejoice; let us recognize the awesome acts of our God in His creative glory! Let us not take for granted our freedom in the earth nor our freedom in God! We are a Blessed Nation because our foundation is built on Him.
Rejoicing in the Liberty that has set us Free!
Loving you, Pastor
Saturday, June 30, 2012
"Mystery of God's Secret"
"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began..." Rom 16:25
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Each Sunday for the the last couple of months we have closed with the benediction from Romans 16:25 and each Sunday I am mystified by the thought of the 'mystery which was kept secret.' And then overjoyed that the following scripture gives more information: "But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." What a powerful benediction. There is power that can establish us, and a mystery that has been revealed to us in this day. How blessed we are for I read of the Old Testament saints: Matthew 4:16,"The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." We are not in darkness because the Mystery of the Secret of God is within us! He has manifested Himself to us through the Power of the Gospel; and what is the Gospel? Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and dwelling in us. All this is a Mystery to those who do not believe, who have not come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. What a simple message, yet so powerful it is hard to comprehend. All through the Scriptures God reminds us that there is a 'secret' place in Him. Psalms 25:14, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His Covenant." The depth of this Glorious Secret is found in the Book of Hebrews as the Covenant is opened unto us. All through the prophets, Jesus was there; Revelation of the Mystery was there, The Secret of God was being revealed. But only when Jesus came was the manifestation fulfilled and those that sat in darkness received the revelation of God's Secret. O what glorious Mystery!
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Message...
Each Sunday for the the last couple of months we have closed with the benediction from Romans 16:25 and each Sunday I am mystified by the thought of the 'mystery which was kept secret.' And then overjoyed that the following scripture gives more information: "But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets, according to the commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith." What a powerful benediction. There is power that can establish us, and a mystery that has been revealed to us in this day. How blessed we are for I read of the Old Testament saints: Matthew 4:16,"The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." We are not in darkness because the Mystery of the Secret of God is within us! He has manifested Himself to us through the Power of the Gospel; and what is the Gospel? Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and dwelling in us. All this is a Mystery to those who do not believe, who have not come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. What a simple message, yet so powerful it is hard to comprehend. All through the Scriptures God reminds us that there is a 'secret' place in Him. Psalms 25:14, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His Covenant." The depth of this Glorious Secret is found in the Book of Hebrews as the Covenant is opened unto us. All through the prophets, Jesus was there; Revelation of the Mystery was there, The Secret of God was being revealed. But only when Jesus came was the manifestation fulfilled and those that sat in darkness received the revelation of God's Secret. O what glorious Mystery!
Loving you, Pastor
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
"I Will Make Darkness Light!"
"...I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16
Thoughts from Pastor's Sunday Message...
As we watch the newscast or read the newspapers, we note that there seems to be an ever ready darkness that is attempting to invade our world. The last couple of messages that the Lord has lead me to share with you seem to come together in like manner. God's voice is coming forth from the heavens. We need to know that we are God's Treasure: Because if we are His Treasure, surely He will be our escape in the time of trouble. Jesus made profound statements that humanity has taken for granted. We might even quote them on occasion; but the Words of Jesus in this moment and time are becoming our strength and hope as we see on the horizon--darkness forming for our nation. Yet one of the most powerful statements that Jesus declared is: John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I Am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." When darkness begins to invade our thoughts and trouble comes across our path, it is then we need to 'remember' that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Light and in this Light we have 'life!' We wonder sometimes in darkness because things do not go our way, or we are unhappy with the circumstance of our life. But Jesus has dispelled 'darkness.' Isaiah the prophet cries out:[50:10] " Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice but walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God." This is the Christian's finest hour--to magnify our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the darkness of humanity. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14,"Ye are the Light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." vs 16--Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Christianity needs to have a fresh revelation of His Light! A Light such as Paul saw on the road to Damascus...for His Word tells us:"Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path." He is standing ready to focus His Light upon His Children!
Desiring this Light, and Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from Pastor's Sunday Message...
As we watch the newscast or read the newspapers, we note that there seems to be an ever ready darkness that is attempting to invade our world. The last couple of messages that the Lord has lead me to share with you seem to come together in like manner. God's voice is coming forth from the heavens. We need to know that we are God's Treasure: Because if we are His Treasure, surely He will be our escape in the time of trouble. Jesus made profound statements that humanity has taken for granted. We might even quote them on occasion; but the Words of Jesus in this moment and time are becoming our strength and hope as we see on the horizon--darkness forming for our nation. Yet one of the most powerful statements that Jesus declared is: John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I Am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." When darkness begins to invade our thoughts and trouble comes across our path, it is then we need to 'remember' that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Light and in this Light we have 'life!' We wonder sometimes in darkness because things do not go our way, or we are unhappy with the circumstance of our life. But Jesus has dispelled 'darkness.' Isaiah the prophet cries out:[50:10] " Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice but walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God." This is the Christian's finest hour--to magnify our Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the darkness of humanity. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14,"Ye are the Light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." vs 16--Let your Light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Christianity needs to have a fresh revelation of His Light! A Light such as Paul saw on the road to Damascus...for His Word tells us:"Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path." He is standing ready to focus His Light upon His Children!
Desiring this Light, and Loving you, Pastor
"God's Treasure"
Thoughts from Pastor's Sunday Message...
As things heat up in our world, and politics become the focus of much of the news, we note the monies that are being spent to promote the candidates. Sometimes it looks like whoever has the most money is able to win the election. As humanity's thoughts turn to finances, the economy, jobs, and the huge debt of our nation, a certain amount of concern sets in upon the saints. Our message today is to glorify our Savior Jesus Christ and to let you know that His Treasury is full!! God is not bankrupt; He is not suffering any shortages of riches. He is the "Almighty" Presence in our world! 1Chronicles 29:11-13 exhorts us like this: "Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is Power and Might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we Thank Thee, and Praise Thy Glorious name."
WOW! How powerful is that? In this short passage of Scripture, we are wonderfully encouraged if we hear what the Spirit is saying! God owns the Treasury! For He owns the world; He is Creator of it all!! Well, we know this, but sometimes we need to be reminded just how powerful He is! As our world moves fastly toward its destruction without God, His Holy Word rolls over our hearts and minds and we remember. "Our God will supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory because of Jesus Christ!" And with that thought, we are reminded that God owns us; He has shined the Treasure of Himself upon us and "we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us." There is no Treasure in the world save the knowledge and Grace of our loving Father. Strange but true, we are "His Peculiar Treasure" and I love you! Pastor
As things heat up in our world, and politics become the focus of much of the news, we note the monies that are being spent to promote the candidates. Sometimes it looks like whoever has the most money is able to win the election. As humanity's thoughts turn to finances, the economy, jobs, and the huge debt of our nation, a certain amount of concern sets in upon the saints. Our message today is to glorify our Savior Jesus Christ and to let you know that His Treasury is full!! God is not bankrupt; He is not suffering any shortages of riches. He is the "Almighty" Presence in our world! 1Chronicles 29:11-13 exhorts us like this: "Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness, and the Power, and the Glory, and the Victory, and the Majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all; and in Thine hand is Power and Might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we Thank Thee, and Praise Thy Glorious name."
WOW! How powerful is that? In this short passage of Scripture, we are wonderfully encouraged if we hear what the Spirit is saying! God owns the Treasury! For He owns the world; He is Creator of it all!! Well, we know this, but sometimes we need to be reminded just how powerful He is! As our world moves fastly toward its destruction without God, His Holy Word rolls over our hearts and minds and we remember. "Our God will supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory because of Jesus Christ!" And with that thought, we are reminded that God owns us; He has shined the Treasure of Himself upon us and "we have this Treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us." There is no Treasure in the world save the knowledge and Grace of our loving Father. Strange but true, we are "His Peculiar Treasure" and I love you! Pastor
Monday, June 4, 2012
Praying in the Midst of Difficulties!
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
Thoughts from the Pastor's Message...
Praying is an awesome passage into the Throne Room of God. Scripture tells us we can come boldly into the Presence of God with our petitions. This is interesting, it is called the place of Grace and we come to receive Mercy. how gracious is our God granting Mercy upon us on a daily basis. He is full of Grace as we come to Him. This is the importance of Praying, coming first to worship Him, to honor His Holy Name, to thank Him for the multitude of Grace He has bestowed upon us, to thank Him for being our God, and to glorify His Son Jesus! We can bring our petitions to Him and especially in difficult situations. Prayer is of the greatest importance! I notice in Psalms 20:5-6 that when we rejoice in our Salvation, He attends to our petitions... "We will rejoice in Thy Salvation, and in the Name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfill all Thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His Holy heaven with Saving strength of His right hand." Today we will talk about those who prayed in difficult situations. Hannah, for instance, she was barren and came before the Lord with her petition for a child. Note how she came into His presence: 1 Samuel 2:1-2--- "Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in Thy Salvation. There is none Holy as the Lord: for there is none beside Thee: neither is there any Rock like our God." It is in coming to Jesus in the time of our most difficult situations that we realize His Grace is sufficient and His answers are not always what we desire. Yet, He is ever ready to walk beside us, to never leave us or forsake us, this is because of His Grace and Mercy. As we communicate with Him in Prayer, it is important to enter into His presence with thanksgiving and praise. Consider Daniel, evil men moved against Daniel as he prayed before the Lord openly. They devised a plan to have him thrown into the lion's den, but it did not interrupt Daniel's prayer. Daniel 6:10, "When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went to his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and Prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."
Loving you, Pastor
Thoughts from the Pastor's Message...
Praying is an awesome passage into the Throne Room of God. Scripture tells us we can come boldly into the Presence of God with our petitions. This is interesting, it is called the place of Grace and we come to receive Mercy. how gracious is our God granting Mercy upon us on a daily basis. He is full of Grace as we come to Him. This is the importance of Praying, coming first to worship Him, to honor His Holy Name, to thank Him for the multitude of Grace He has bestowed upon us, to thank Him for being our God, and to glorify His Son Jesus! We can bring our petitions to Him and especially in difficult situations. Prayer is of the greatest importance! I notice in Psalms 20:5-6 that when we rejoice in our Salvation, He attends to our petitions... "We will rejoice in Thy Salvation, and in the Name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfill all Thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His Holy heaven with Saving strength of His right hand." Today we will talk about those who prayed in difficult situations. Hannah, for instance, she was barren and came before the Lord with her petition for a child. Note how she came into His presence: 1 Samuel 2:1-2--- "Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in Thy Salvation. There is none Holy as the Lord: for there is none beside Thee: neither is there any Rock like our God." It is in coming to Jesus in the time of our most difficult situations that we realize His Grace is sufficient and His answers are not always what we desire. Yet, He is ever ready to walk beside us, to never leave us or forsake us, this is because of His Grace and Mercy. As we communicate with Him in Prayer, it is important to enter into His presence with thanksgiving and praise. Consider Daniel, evil men moved against Daniel as he prayed before the Lord openly. They devised a plan to have him thrown into the lion's den, but it did not interrupt Daniel's prayer. Daniel 6:10, "When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went to his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and Prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."
Loving you, Pastor
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Glorious House of the Lord! April 22, 2012
O Glorious Salvation, Sing Praises unto our Lord & Saviour! We are blessed that you have come to worship with us today! May the Joy of your Salvation overflow as we Sing His Praises together! I hear the Psalmist as he sings: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord!” − Psalm 122:1
Let’s talk about how we feel as Sunday rolls around! It is the most wonderful day of the week! Most do not have to go to their work place, and it is a day that the Lord has set aside for His people to worship Him, to “remember Him.” It is a time to rest from our labors and a time to reflect on the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. God’s House is a safe House! It is glorious because the saints gather to fellowship and to think upon our Lord and all His glorious and marvelous works that He has done in the earth! It is especially precious when we are as the Psalmist reminisces in 55:14, “We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the House of God in company.” O how great is our God! He meets with us as we come together in His house, and as we dismiss the cares of this life for the moment and worship Him. We enter into Singing our Lord’s Praises C “I will Sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will Sing Praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.” –Ps.104:33-34; and then we are reminded of our responsibility to the Glorious Gospel; 1 Tim. 1:11, “According to the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God, which was committed to ‘our’ trust.” The writer of Proverbs [16:24] declares; “Pleasant Words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” … so is our fellowship in the family of God! Sometimes we are over whelmed with the cares of this life and the difficulties that we face, then again the Song of the Psalmist comes into my spirit … Psalm 27:13-14; “ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord!” Jeremiah [17:12] talks about the Sanctuary and his prophetic thought is so precious C “A Glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our Sanctuary!” What an awesome thought, the Sanctuary of God is His high throne and we are destined to one day enter this place. So important the House of God? It is a place to prepare the next generation for worship and adoration of our God C “One generation shall Praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. I will speak of the Glorious honour of Thy majesty, and of Thy wondrous works.” Praying for you and loving you, Pastor
Saturday, April 7, 2012
“God’s Glorious Love!” April 15, 2012
Welcome to Worship in the midst of the Commerce Family, we are blessed that you have joined us today. May our Resurrected Lord surround you with His Glorious presence as you enter into Worship.
We are still basking in His Glorious Resurrection and the fact that Jesus desires to “Glorify” His Church. As He prayed in John 17 For our sakes Jesus sanctified Himself that we might be sanctified through Truth [Jesus said I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.] He prayed for those who believe in Him that, VS21-23 “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be One in Us: And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are One: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in One; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast Loved Me.” As my thoughts wander though the “Glorious” Scriptures of God’s Word, I’m inclined to think that Christianity has not given depth of thought to the Glory of God! I know we desire His Glory, we sometimes talk about His wondrous Glory and there are many teachings on His Glory! When we do a word search on Glory or Glorious, other words like Splendor, Radiant, Brilliance, etc. pop up. It is in the Sacrifice of Jesus Life that Glory is revealed in the midst of the Church and in the Temples not made with hands. Jesus desire is to place His Glory within the Church and within the Tabernacles not made with hands. His Mercy, His Glory is overwhelming ─ like vessels who have sinned grossly, in the case of the Apostle Paul, the Women at the Well … yet His Love is so Glorious powerful, His forgiveness so uniquely and completely cleansing, what a Glorious Saviour! How healing His Words in Philippians 3:2; “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His Glorious Body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. Jesus, our Saviour, He is the one of great value, He is the One who deserves the Highest Praise, for He has given to us, His disciples, “The Light of the Glorious Gospel. He is the image of God, and He desires to shine upon us!” Truly the Lord Jesus’ great desire is that He might present to His Father, “A Glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be Holy and without blemish.” For this He died, for this He rose from the grave, for this He intercedes for His people at the Right Hand of our Father which is in heaven. O Glorious dawning, the day we arrive in Eternity to ever be with our King! Loving you, Pastor
“Glorious Resurrection!” April 8, 2012
O Glorious Resurrection! Our Eternal Life depended upon Jesus coming forth from the grave. When He said “I Am the Resurrection and the life,” there was in Him abundant Life for ever more! To give us life, He sacrificed; He suffered, and ultimately surrendered His life on earth that we might have an Eternal home; That we too might be victorious over death and arrive in the heavenlies to ever be with Him, His Father, and the Holy Ghost. So many Glorious things happened in His life on earth, so many teachings, so many lessons learned. Our whole existence relies upon His life on earth. It was Jesus’ desire to bring forth a Blood bought Church. Ephesians 5:27 declares: ‘That He might present a Glorious church, without spot, or wrinkle, with out blemish.’ Glorious, defined talks about magnificent beauty and splendor … Because of His Sacrificed life, the Church is beautiful, wonderful, magnificent in Glorious splendor! Of course we realize that the Church is the saints of God, we are beautiful, to our Lord! Glorious also means, “Possessing Deserved Glory!” No wonder all Glory and Praise goes to the Son of the Living God! Matthew 16:7 tells us, “The Son of man shall come in the Glory of His Father with His angels.” This is something that all humanity desires to understand … the Glory of God! Jesus speaks to His Father at the final preparations for Resurrection … In John 17:4-5 “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, Glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the Glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” Let us meditate upon that statement; Jesus’ desire was to finish His work, that He might return to the Glory of the Father that was in the beginning. Only Eternity will reveal the Glorious Gift that Jesus has given to us! The splendor of heaven, the possessed Glory of the Father which is bestowed upon Jesus as He comes forth from the grave. Jesus possesses the Glory of the Father and He lives in us! We are so special to our heavenly Father and to His most Honoured Son, that He would desire to invest His Glory in us! Hear Jesus Pray to the Father … in John 17:22-23 “The Glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are One: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in One; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast Loved them, as Thou hast Loved Me.” Now we His people look forward to that Blessed Hope, and Glorious appearing of our Great God and Saviour Jesus Christ! May you experience a Glorious Resurrection today! Loving you Pastor
“Lamp of Prayer” April 1, 2012
As the Lord’s Week of Passion begins, let us turn our hearts toward Jesus and His Sacrifice upon the Cross of Calvary. Let us take special time this coming week to do something that will Bless the Lord, something out of the ordinary as we look forward to Resurrection Sunday. We are blessed that you have joined us today in worship!
“For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the Salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” Isaiah 62:1
Again we look at “Blessing the Lord!” This is our goal, our quest, and we are strongly reminded of it as we come into this Week of Jesus Passion. I am challenged to worship more, pray more, read my Bible more, reach out to other more… to be mindful of those who are less fortunate than I, and to offer encouragement more often to those around me. Today we are lighting the Lamp of Prayer in our Lord’s House. There are many reasons for this: but most of all we remember Jesus powerful and sorrowful words when He said; “…Why sleep ye? rise and Pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” C Luke 22:46 A cry goes forth from the heaven, “Awake, awake: put on thy strength …” Such strength comes with a relationship with our God. We grow in our relationship with the Father when we communicate with Him in Prayer, in Worship, in Praise, and in Ministering to others, C ‘like loving our neighbors as our self!’ I love the Passage of Scripture where Jesus took the three disciples with Him to the mountain and there they beheld the vision of Jesus talking with Moses and Elias/Elijah. In the glory of such a moment St. Luke reveals [9:30-32] that in their fear … [Matt. 17:6] “they fall heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His Glory!” We are placing the Lamp in the Sanctuary today, to call us to Prayer, to a greater dedication, that we might be awaken to His Glory! That we might win in the battle, the struggle against temptation. Gideon won the battle with pitchers that held Lamps. Our ‘vessels’ [pitchers] must be filled with the Light of God so that our Lamps light the path before us and we are beacon to the lost. I hear the Song of Solomon calling, “Arise my love, and come away.” Come away from the fears of today, the things of this world, and come into My presence and I will sup with thee! Awaken my heart O Lord! Loving you, Pastor
“Come Bless The Lord!” March 25, 2012
Welcome to the Holy Lenten Season in the midst of the Commerce Family. We trust that you have plans to commemorate our Lord and Savoiur as we approach the Friday of Darkness, the day of our Lord’s death. You are always welcome in this House of the Lord! We are blessed that you have come to worship with us today!
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Heb. 4:15
There are many thoughts when we bring up the subject of “Blessing the Lord!” In Christianity today, we need to have a deeper thought life! As we meditate upon a Passage of Scripture, our thoughts will be guided by the Holy Spirit. He is the illuminator of God’s Word. The Holy Ghost is gentle and easily grieved. When we hurriedly give some thought to Scripture or breath a few sentences of worship as we go about our daily schedule, it does not give appropriate time for the Holy Ghost to prompt us to deeper meanings of God’s Word. Please know that the Holy Ghost can work under any condition, He is the Spirit of God! However to come into the sacred thoughts of Scripture and to see the depth of what is saying, one must ponder the Passage, and meditate upon it. We need to give “contemplation” room in our spiritual life. Contemplation is a mental exercise. It is moments wherein we consider what we are reading, and give attention to it in a personal way. Meditating upon God’s Word, contemplating what He is saying to us will bring us into a higher level of Spiritual Awareness. The world is all about ‘new age’ and meditation, but this is not what I am talking about. To meditate upon God’s Word is a truly spiritual quest as we seek the heart of God, to ‘Bless Him;’ by searching for Him with all our heart. Worshipping Christ is awesome and greatly desired of our Father God who loved Him so much that He would Sacrifice His Only Begotten Son that we might have Eternal Life! In this Holy Season of Lent, we focus on God’s Love, Jesus Sacrifice, and our awareness of more of Spiritual depth in our life. Loving God, and Praising Jesus is where “Blessing the Lord” begins, but from there our life flows out to others. It is in the “ACTION” of showing the Love of Jesus wherein we continue to Bless the Lord. Hear His Words from Matthew 25:34-40; “…in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me!” Share your life in Jesus ~Loving you, Pastor
Why do the Righteous Suffer?” March 18, 2012
We continue to be mindful of the Lenten season as we fulfill our discipline and keep our focus on our Savour! We are blessed that you are with us in service today, may the Christ that we serve surround you with His Love!
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Heb. 4:15
It’s an age-old question: “Why do the Righteous Suffer?” Down through the ages this question has been asked a multitude of times. Greater Theologians than I have pondered the question and have written pages and pages of manuscripts discussing this question. I have not a new thought on it, except to simply go to the Scriptures for the answer. The simplest explanation of Righteous is “right standing.” We have no righteousness except in Christ. When we stand in Him, it is His Righteous that is seen. This Righteousness come about when we are dedicated to serving Him, when He is first and foremost in our lives. When we realize that we must move in forgiveness on a daily basis and be mindful of our conduct and our example of Him in our life. That being said, the question comes forward: If we are doing our very best to serve the Lord, trying to follow close in His footsteps, “why is there such suffering in the saints life? Sin is the beginning source of suffering. The Righteous have suffered from the beginning of time. Consider Able: because of his faithful-ness to offer the right sacrifice, he lost his life. Job of old: It was said of Him that he was a “man perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Yet as we read the Book of Job, we note that he suffered great financial lost, family lost, and finally great illness. Consider David, it is said he was a “man after God’s own heart.” Anointed to be King by the hand of a godly prophet, yet his life was threatened over and over, and he had to run for his life. On and on go the sufferings of the Prophets in the old Testament. In the New Testament, again there is suffering as Paul and Silas sat in stocks with their backs ripped open by the enemy’s wipe. John the Baptist was beheaded, John the Beloved banished to the Isle of Patmos. In the old testament the Israelites suffered much: And this is what God said: “Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee… to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no.” We have a Compassionate Savior who has purchased our end, it will be better then our beginning! Loving you and praying for you, Pastor
“THE CRY OF NEED” March 11, 2012
Welcome to the “Lenten Season at Commerce.” Come Bless the Lord! He is blessed with your faithfulness, your worship, and your obedience. May you sense His presence as we worship together today.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Heb. 4:15
In this day in which we live there are many cries going forth from the heart of humanity. It is not just huge devastating things that happen, but it is also a mirad of small things that come from every direction until they have manifested themselves as an overwhelming deluge against our heart and soul and humanity cries out for release. There is in every human a cry! Some are manifested outwardly, and some are manifested inwardly, but the cares of this life press upon the soul of mankind. The only true release, an eternal release is in Jesus Christ. Humanity looks for help in many ways. Often we pump ourselves us and say “I can do this,” but we are reminded in the Holy Scriptures in Prov. 3:5-7− “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” When the Israelites came to themselves in the land of Egypt, “the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God.” There is great bondage in our land today, but until humanity comes by reason of that bondage and “cries” out unto God, there will be no release from the evil in the land. Jesus “cried” because of the unbelief in the hearts of the people, and there is still a cry in the heart of God as His Son is rejected among men. Jesus wept over the people in His day on earth. He was touched with the feelings of their infirmities. He was tested with disappointment, mistreatment, and rejection and upon the Cross He cried out with a loud voice and asked God “why hast Thou forsaken me?” Then He commended Himself into God’s Hands. If the “cries” of humanity would only commend themselves into the hand of a Merciful God, He would rise them up: It is written in Eph 1:19-21: ‘God’s exceeding great power is toward us, working for us through Christ, our Saviour:’ Let us cry unto Him who is able to deliver us from our wayward ways, for we need Him! Receive with meekness the engrafted Word of God! ~~Loving you, Pastor
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