" To Them That Overcometh! "

"For whatsoever is born of God Overcometh the world: and this is the Victory that Overcometh the world, even our Faith. Who is he that Overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? "                                                            ~ 1 John 5:4-5 ~

Thoughts From the Pastor's Message:
With a brand New Year before us, we " Press for the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus! "  This Passage of scripture in Philippians 3:13-14 seems to nudge at my heart as I begin to plan the message for this New Year.  " Brethren... this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the Prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus."  There may be tons of discussion as to what the "High Calling of God is..."  But to simplify this statement, the Apostle Paul was saying, I want to go deeper in Christ, I have not yet attained perfection, but desire to forget the past with its disappointments and failures.  In Paul's case, the persecution of Christians... and press toward more in Christ.  Here's a thought: What could be more than the High Calling than to be born again and serving God as a witness of Jesus Christ?  to be a Christian is a High Calling!  It is a calling from God Himself, to come out from among ungodly things... anything that separates you from your commitment to Jesus Christ.  Come into the depth of His Word to be discipled as one of His. Simply, let us dedicate ourselves to be faithful followers of our Saviour.  I am always mystified as I read about Jesus walking by the station of customs and saying to Matthew, "Follow Me"  and Matthew immediately rises and follows Him. Jesus walks by the shore and calls out to Peter, James and John, "Follow Me!"  And they straightway left their nets and followed Jesus.  O that we could be so quick to respond to His Calling!  The Highest Call of God is to follow after Jesus!  In this New Year, let us strive to overcome some of the 'little foxes' that nip at our vines. Let us grow in God's Grace, His Peace, His Joy, and yes, in Longsuffering, and always in His Kindness and Faith.  Let us come into Temperance, i.e., controlling our actions, our emotions, our attitudes and perhaps anger.  There is a promise to those who overcome.  It is a daily challenge.  Remember in 2Cor. 12:9 He said... "My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
  Wishing you a Glorious New Year! Always Loving you, Pastor

" MOMENTS OF REFLECTION "

" Holy Communion "

" He that sat upon the Throne said, Behold, I make all things New. And He said unto me, Write: for these Words are True and Faithful. "               Revelation 21:5                                                         

New Year Thoughts from the Pastor:
As we walk into the New Year, it is good to once again make a commitment to our Lord and Saviour!  It is always good to renew our Covenant with Him!  We look to the Book of Revelation as we face a new season of our future.  In this last Book of the Holy Scriptures, we glean some powerful truths.  Among them we are reminded that He is the Alpha and the Omega, which means He is our beginning and He is our end.  There is a call in the heart of God that His people might have a thirst for Him, for He said He will give all who thirst, water of life freely!  We are also admonished to "overcome!"  This might sound strange since we are born again believers in our Lord Jesus Christ... but there is always room to "overcome!"  What would you like to overcome in this brand new year that has begun today?  Take a few minutes to meditate and think upon these things as you enter into this fresh year.  We are living in such an instant society that there is rarely time to contemplate serious matters or evaluate our spiritual condition of our life.  I challenge you to take a few minutes, close out the stresses of the moment, and draw into the quiet of His presence.  There must be at least one thing that we would like to change, to overcome: maybe an attitude, a specific thing that worries us, a responsibility that seems to elude us, a habit that we are unwilling to change, a dislike for someone?  Maybe we need to develop a new pattern in our devotions each day, or maybe we need to read the Word of God more each day.  If we will take the time to sit quietly before the Lord and listen, the Holy Ghost will nudge our heart and give us guidance in these personal spiritual matters.  Revelation 21:7 ~ In this passage of Scripture, we are reminded:  "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."  Today, we begin the New Year with 'Moments of Reflection' ~ Testimonies of God's love and grace throughout 2012, thoughts of our "Word" we choose for last year, and Holy Communion.  Remembering our Lord Jesus as we leave 2012 and beginning 2013 with receiving once more the emblems of His Broken Body and His poured out Blood for our Redemption and Eternal Life.
  Loving you and wishing you a glorious New Year, Pastor

The Holy Season Continues ~ "After Jesus Birth!"

"When eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord."  Luke 2:21-22

Thoughts After Christmas From Pastor's Study:
We celebrate many days before we come to the day we celebrate the Lord's Birth. Then, we have a glorious celebration on the day set aside for this moment... then what?  I believe it is meant for us to follow Jesus throughout His life, that we might grow spiritually.  For as we follow in His footsteps, we will "wax strong" and become a true disciple of Jesus our Lord and Saviour!  So often humanity celebrates a landmark and then proceeds on their way never looking back at what they have celebrated.  But, Jesus is to be celebrated all through our life. This is why our forefathers set forth the Church Calendar, so that Jesus, the Christ, would be remembered all year long.  Some tremendous things occurred after the Birth of Christ that bears mentioning.  Now Joseph and Mary have a Child, not just any Child, but a miraculous Child.  We note that Mary ponders every thing that occurs and Joseph remains alert to the instructions of God as they prepare to leave Jerusalem.  It appears in Scripture that they may have remained there in the stable for eight days.  They were waiting for the appropriate time to present Jesus to the Priest.  From this point on, Joseph must be continually alert, for God has given him the responsibility for the Christ Child here on earth.  While Mary ponders things in her heart, Joseph remains alert to the instructions of God.  From the Birth of Jesus we learn some powerful things.  First, we must bring our new born child to the House of God for His Blessings to be imparted upon them.  Some churches sprinkle them, we "dedicate" them.  It is in presenting them to the Lord that is important.  Today we see Simeon being led by the Holy Ghost, and the "Dedication" begins as Jesus is swooped up into his arms and blessed.  Then we hear: "A Light to Lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel!"

The Gentiles, we are included....
                                   Loving you, Pastor

Happy New Year from our House to yours! God Bless every one of you in the coming year 2013. Let us Rejoice that we have another year to serve the Lord and Grow in His Grace!