" 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
Sunday, July 29, 2012
" 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
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