Jesus' JOY

“The angel said, Fear not: for, 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.”

As the New Year unfolds I Pray we are in the “Practice Mode! Let’s Practice good habits!  What can we change?  What way can we grow in Christ? We must ask ourselves these questions, you know take stock of our life in Christ! The following Scripture will be our guide through this ‘Practice Experience.’ “The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 5:22-25 ─  If we are truly a Born Again Christian then we live in the Spirit because the Spirit of God has drawn us unto Salvation. The part that we must work on is: “Let us also walk in the Spirit!” The Message today is about “walking in Joy!” We often think of Joy as happiness, but “The Spirit of JOY is something much more important. It is an inner strength that is attached to Thanksgiving!  If we are Thankful, it will release God’s Joy within us. His Joy is not a fleeting moment or a happy high. Consider Jesus’ Joy ─“For the JOY that was set before Him, He endured the Cross and despised the shame!” Often in Scripture we find JOY attached to hard situations. Consider 1 Peter 4:13 “Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are Partakers of Christ's Sufferings; that, when His Glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with Exceeding Joy!” And Note James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into divers temptations;” Paul talks about his hardships in Acts 20: He served the Lord with many tears, temptations, and dangers that befell him. He continued toward Jerusalem bound in the Spirit, not knowing the things that would befall him.  He knew that bonds and afflictions awaited him and this was his statement:  Vs 24 “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with JOY, and the Ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God.”    Loving you in His Joy, Pastor

Let's Practice: His Love Part 2

Jesus said: “I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and Pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.”   ~Matt. 5:44

Gal. 5:22-25  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” While we are in the Practice Mode, let us turn to the Book of Philippians and take a good long look at one who is confident in God’s Love. “I am confident that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is my desire that we together may approve things that are excellent; that we may be sincere and filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and Praise of our Father God.” As your Pastor it is my thought and Prayer that we become aggressive in serving the Lord in the Fruit of His Spirit. So for the next few weeks we will look at the Fruits of the Spirit that Paul talks about in Galatians Chapter 5.  This is not a new subject to us, but Prayerfully it will bring a fresh inspiration to our heart that will work a weigh of glory in us as we magnify our heavenly Father.  Our subject matter today is: His Love.  Our Love will fail and often be covered by a fleshly attitude. But His Love never fails!  From the beginning of time, God loved the world and ultimately sent His Only Begotten Son to redeem us.  I am sure we are mindful of the failure of humanity, I encourage you to read the entire Chapter of Philippians 1 this week.  Here is a man in prison through no fault of his own, who is able to be confident in God in the circumstances of his life because of His Love for Christ.  His Love for Christ comes through in great boldness as he states: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” The Fruit of Love is seen in the Apostle Paul, as his desire is: “That Christ be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” If we LOVE the Lord: “Let our conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: Let us stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind, striving together for the Faith of the Gospel.  Loving you, Pastor  [2 Cor. 13:14]

Let's Practice

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but 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.” ~ Phil. 3:13-14 

What awesome advice the Spirit God offers us as He speaks through the Apostle Paul there in Phil. 3. As our Message unfolds today we will be admonished to “Practice” Spiritual concepts in our daily living and to “Press” for more Spiritual Activity in our life! We know the age old clique “Practice makes Perfect!” And so it is with God and His Word. If we will “Practice” Biblical things, and adhere to His Holy Word, we will be strengthened and encouraged in our inner man. The cares of this life have a way of forcing us to “Press” for the Prize of the High Calling of God in our life!  It is good to put behind us the difficult steps we have taken and to Practice the Biblical Truths that God has set before us. In this “Practicing,” we quickly learn it requires a “Pressing.”  I often feel Pressed as I go about my day, trying to get everything done that I need to do. And once you desire to push against your flesh, you will note “Practicing” spiritual matters strengthens you for the “Pressing” process.  As we Press for the Mark that God has set for us, we must Practice the Power of His Word, the Power of Prayer and invoke the Presence of the Holy Ghost to guide us. In the New Testament where people pressed toward Jesus, they were met with help, healing, and forgiveness.  Often there were obstacles in their way, but pressing on in the midst of great difficulty, there needs were met.  Be encouraged as the New Year unfolds, practice His way: Embrace the Spirit of Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance: Let us “Practice” together the Fruit of the Spirit of God, and see if He don’t just pour out His Presence and His Blessings upon us! Let us Practice together, His Ways, Loving you, Pastor

How Far Will We Go To Worship Our King?

“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came Wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East, and are come to Worship Him.” ~ Matt. 2:1-2

The coming of the Wise Men to behold the “One Born King of the Jews,” came many months after the birth of Christ.  They saw His Star in the East when He was born, but they had to travel a great distance and by Camel, so it would be 18 months to 2 years before they would arrive. Matt. Chapter 2 gives us this information.  The Wise Men followed the Star to Jerusalem and there inquired, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His Star in the East, and are come to Worship Him.”  As we come into the New Year, there is a question, which is the Message today.  “How far will we go to Worship Our King?” Much is going to be required of us as we face the New Year. It is evident that we are going to have to stand our ground for the Kingdom of God and His Holy Word. The Wise Men searched for the Saviour! In the Message last week we looked at Jeremiah [29:11-12] the Prophet who admonished us to “Call upon the Lord, to pray, and to search for the Lord with all our heart.” Prophecy is still unfolding today, even as it did in the season of God’s Birth, Wise men, searched for the new born King, they did not hesitate to go the distance, they were not detoured in their search for Him, and their desire was met, for they found; [VS11] ─“The young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and Worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; Gold, and Frankincense, and Myrrh.” Someone else searched for Him to do Him evil. But Joseph, keen to hear instruction: [VS13] “The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the younC Child and His Mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee Word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. O Church just as we must go the distance for Him, the enemy of our soul seeks to vex His People, we must press for the Prize! 
Seeking Him in this New Year,   Loving you, Pastor

Thoughts To Live By

Another year is upon us! How great is our God, that year after year He remains the same, full of love and forgiveness to His people! This thoughts are always upon us. This is sometimes hard to understand - because in the busyness of our schedules we often forget some important event, date or even a loved one; yet God continues to remember us down to the hairs of our head. His thoughts toward us is: that we might have peace, and an expected end. Often we wonder about the latter days of our life, sometimes discouraged because we have not obtained certain things, but God stands by ready to give us eternal life! As my thoughts moved through the past year and then to the year ahead, I wondered what 2014 would be like as I thought on the wickedness of our country and lack of concern for the things of God in our government. While I was quietly musing, I heard the still small voice with say,  "Ye shall go our with joy!" Awesome, I thought! Immediately I snatched my Bible and hunted for that phrase! I found it in Isaiah 55:10-12, "For as the rain cometh down, and snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth from out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." God's word shall be my thought for the New Year! His word will accomplish His will, and there will be joy and peace for me in my life; and I will break forth in worship and song! Desiring this for you, loving you, Pastor

I Am the God that Healeth Thee, Advent Week 4

As we celebrate the fourth week in Advent, we rejoice that the Healer has come. He has healed our soul and reconciled us to our heavenly Father by His precious blood. It is the healing of the soul! He has healed our spirit from the wounds of the past. He has brought great JOY to be our portion in the land of the living. And He has spoken in John 15:11..."That my joy might remain in you, that your joy might be full." How great is that? That He would put His joy in us! We have only to receive it - it is there! As we meditate upon Advent and the messages that God has given to us, we come to the final week of Advent. Not only do we celebrate the fourth week but the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is the God that healeth thee. He is concerned about the illness, the sickness, the physical things that afflict our bodies. As He walked among the people, He was present to heal them. Psalm 103:2-4 sums it up..."Bless the Lord, O m soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all they diseases; who redeemeth thy life for destruction; who cowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies." It is my prayer that God will arise in our midst and bring healing of spirit, soul and body as we place our trust and hope in Him! Wishing you a God's healing touch. Giving thanks for you and loving you, Pastor

The Healer's Joy, Advent Week 3

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith; who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Heb.

As we celebrate the Third Week in Advent, we remember that JOY that surrounds the Lord Jesus’ life.  JOY was already in Him when He was in His Mother’s womb. Remember when His Mother met her kinsmen Elizabeth? The sound of Mary’s voice caused the Babe in Elizabeth to leap for JOY. Jesus is the bearer of our JOY! The Angels heralded His Birth with: “Fear not: for, 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” ~ Luke 2:10-12. The Message today concerns Jesus as our Healer of our Joy. He is the greatest example of JOY for in the greatest sorrow of His life we read:  “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith; who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” ~ Heb.12:2-4− Powerful statement here, for Jesus did strive against sin with His Precious Blood. Yet in His sorrow, grief and suffering, He rejoiced!  He is our example of ‘how to have JOY in the midst of our sorrow or disappointment.’ His continues to encourage us with these Words from John 15:11-12

These things have I spoken unto you, that my YOU might remain in you, and that your JOY might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. May the JOY of Jesus Birth fill your heart as you remember He lives in full stature within you!  His awesome & Precious JOY is yours! 
“May our God of all hope full you with all JOY and Peace…!” Loving you, Pastor