Continual Trust in God

“I will bless the Lord at all times: His Praise shall continually be in my mouth.” ~ Psalm 34:“Continual Implies enduring existence often through constant renewal – reoccurring thoughts without fear…” Let’s meditate on this as we think about “Continual application of God’s Word, the constant Love of Christ, and the strengthening Power of the Holy Ghost.  Last week the Message was about “Enduring or temptations.”  A good way to do this, when we truly Love the Lord with all our heart, is to enter into Continued Praise of our Lord and Saviour! To walk in Continued Trust no matter the circumstance.  The Holy Spirit prompted David in the Psalms/songs to speak of “Continual Praise, Truth, and the Goodness of God.  Off times when a crisis occurs we are weakened by the circumstance and perhaps tempted to question God, or to let discouragement set in upon us. It is quite thought provoking to think about God’s Continual Truth, and His awesome Continual goodness to us in the land of the Living.  David comforted himself in Praise, Song, and Trusted in God in the midst of his circumstance. Jesus had not yet come; avid did not know Salvation as we know it today, yet He Trusted! His was a Continual Trust in God, an enduring existence in the Commands of God and constant renewing of himself in his commitment to a Holy God. How did he handle his difficult times? Psalm 27 is a song of great distress, a time of discouragement that David was going through, he recalls;  “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.”  We have all had times of waiting, and here, we are encouraged to wait, to remember the Goodness of the Lord.  It would be a great period of waiting if we could do it with “Continual Praise” in the midst of our waiting. “Enduring through constant renewal!” Renewing ourselves in our Faith, our commitment to Christ, and Continually giving thanks for His Mercy endures forever.  Our God is a “Continual” God. God never gives up on us! He is a Faithful God. The Psalmist wrote in the 52^nd Ps., “…the Goodness of God endureth Continually!” We serve a God that said: “Nevertheless I Am Continually with Thee:”  O let the Church enter into Continual Praise and Worship for in Christ we have the Peace that passes all understanding!   “I will Hope Continually, and will Praise Thee more and more…!” Ps. 71:14

Lappers and Slurpers

“Gideon brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. ~ Judges 7:5

  

Gideon finely has recognized the power of God! After asking God two times for confirmation, he is ready to do what God as asked him to do.  In these Messages from Judges 6 you will see that God wants to “Show Us His Way” in our life.  We are in a great warfare with the enemy of our soul, and those who seek to follow Him will experience Battles. I love this Passage of Scripture where the “Spirit of the Lord comes upon Gideon.”  He sounds the war cry upon the Trumpet, perhaps it was a shofar, and the troops are rallied.  Scripture tells us five companies of Israel gathered, some 32 Thousand men. This caused great concern for the enemy, the Midianites and the Amalekites, men of the east, who were gathered against Israel. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon us, we are well able to stand against the devil. The Apostle Paul writes in, Eph 6:13 “Take unto you the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” God shows us the way to stand against the enemy, by arming ourselves with the Power of His Word. Note what God says to Gideon next; you have too many warriors!? I can’t even imagine what thoughts went through Gideon’s mind at this statement from God. As we follow this Account of Gideon: God releases the fearful, and 10 Thousand remain. God continues to test Israel until only 300 men of Israel are left for the battle against an enemy of 135 thousand. Are you being tested today?  Does your enemy seem bigger than life?  We have this sure Word from God:  Isa. 58:8 “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.”  Do not be detoured by the batter for the “Battle is the Lord’s.” We are His hands extended to declare to this Generation that Jesus is Lord of our battles! Loving you, Pastor ~Phil. 2:15

Is Once Enough

Judges 6:36-37  “ Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said.”

Today we find Gideon still pondering God’s plan for Himself and for Israel.  God has plans for all of His children.  We probably want to give a big sigh that God has not asked us to do what He asked Gideon to do – however we are in a battle, a battle against the enemy of our soul.  Christianity is truly in a Battle today in our country. There continues to be a battle raging against Israel even unto this day. It has been said, “just ask God once and then wait for His answer, because it is lack of Faith to keep asking.”  Once might be enough – perhaps when we come to Christ, that is, when we sincerely take Him into our heart!  Yet we find that we need to continue to come to Him for cleansing, that He might sanctify us daily. Consider Eph. 6:18 – We are encouraged to Pray in the Spirit with all Perseverance and Supplication — as we explore the word “Supplication” we learn a depth of meaning: “strong and incessant pleading until the Prayer is answered!”  It is good to pursue God with a whole heart.  Gideon heard what God said, yet there remained a bit of being unsure for God was asking a great thing of him, and the Midianites were a fierce enemy.  As this Account of Gideon unveils he places a fleece before the Lord.  God answers and again Gideon asks God to not be angry with him, but could he place one more fleece. God responded to Gideon’s request.  While some may mock Gideon – God revealed Himself once again to him.  Let us persevere in our Prayer life, for God is always available to us!  He gave the life of His Son, that we might boldly approach Him! Let us persevere together for our Nation, Loving you, Pastor

Shew Me a Sign Pt. 2

And Gideon said unto Him, “If now I have found Grace in Thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.”   ~ Judges 6:17

We are living in a glorious time!  The knowledge of the Lord is filling the earth.  God has and is revealing Himself to His people.  It is appropriate to take a good long look at some of the ‘Accounts’ in the Old Testament.  These are Accounts where God dwelt with His people.  We are still His people, and He continues to deal with us.  The difference is: We have Jesus to intervene for us, to cover us with His Redeeming Blood and to ward off the accusations/thievery of the enemy if we will obey the Word of the Lord!  The Word of God reveals some 63 times the term “Fear Not!” in this Account of Gideon, God reminds him that He has said “Fear Not” – yet Gideon is hid behind the wine press threshing wheat.  He is hid because of fear of the Midianites who comes upon the Israelites at harvest time and robs/takes their grain.  In the midst of this struggle, the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and calls him a “Man of Valor.”  The Lord tells him to “go in thy might” and he would save Israel from the Midianites.  The Lord promises to go with him ... Gideon’s response: “If now I have found Grace in Thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.”  Perhaps sometimes we are Gideon, and desire God to show us a sign. In this Message today, we will see the signs that God reveals to Gideon.  Be assured if you ask of the Lord, He will reveal Himself to you.  Sometimes we miss Him because His ‘Revealing’ does not fit with our desires.  In this moment and time, let us not fear, but ask of the Lord to shew us His way, that we might fulfill His desire in our life. The signs are there, He is revealing Himself, can we discern them? Loving you, Pastor

Show Me Thy Way

“Now therefore, I Pray thee, if I have found Grace in Thy sight, shew me now Thy way, that I may Know Thee, that I may find Grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people.”   ~ Ex. 33:13

The very first thing that we see in the above Scripture deals with Moses pursuing God’s Grace.  I had second thoughts as I read this Scripture.  Today we take Grace for granted.  It seems like we think that Grace pursues us because it is part of our Salvation. In this Passage of Scripture Moses passionately pursues Grace.  He had been in the Mt. Receiving the 10 Commandments written with the finger of God. There was a delay and God’s people became restless, for Moses had not returned as they expected – impatient!  When Moses returned he found great sin in the camp and the Covenant with God was broken.  “The Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:” And so, Moses returned and found God’s people worshiping idols and the camp filled with corruption.  Moses pleads their case before God and God does not destroy them.  Moses pleads for the Grace of God: He has several requests for God to ‘Grace’ him  — Shew me Thy Way;  — That I may find Grace in Thy sight; — Remember this people is Your nation; — I need Your Presence to go with me; And Moses requests with great sincerity and passion: “I  beseech Thee, shew me Thy Glory!” This Account in the Old Testament reminds me of something today: God’s people are waiting for His return. And God’s nation has fell into corruption! It is a moment in our time for Repentance, Prayer and Intercession.  Let us pursue His Grace, His Way, and let pursue His Glory!  “Where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound:  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might Grace reign through righteousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Loving you, Pastor

The Omniscient God!

Job 33:4 from last weeks Message inspired me!  What an awesome thought: “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” We don’t often think about the breath we breathe, yet without it we do not have life.  If we have difficultly breathing, then we are mindful of how important it is to breath. The Lord has brought to mind – it is His breath in us and we are motivated by His Spirit. Of course we are given a ‘free will’ so we can choose to obey God or to appease our fleshly ways.  Let us meditate up this thought and realize afresh that the Spirit of God gave ‘me’ this breath in the beginning of my life for His purpose! Our God, Jehovah Compasses us throughout our life.  This means He ‘surrounds’ us, He encircles every moment of our life, even when we are lying down/sleeping. Another meaning of Compass is cling. Jesus clings to us! We are what Jesus presents to the Father.  We are Jesus’ glory!  Eph. 1:12 “...We should be to the Praise of His Glory ...”    2 Thess. 1:12 “That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him ...”  Another powerful Word from God is: Ps.100:3 “Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”  The Message today is from Psalm 139, and we will explore the “Omniscient God!” meaning a God of  “Infinite awareness & Understanding, possessed of complete Knowledge.” He is Omnipotent, unlimited power!  And He is Omnipresent, His presence in all places at all times! Here’s something to think about: Vs 1 “O Lord Thou has searched me, and known me.”  Sometimes we feel like ‘no one understands me – no one sees me – no one cares for me. We feel isolated. If we are a Reader of God’s Word, this feeling should be overtaken immediately with this Passage of Scripture for it details just how much God knows about us.  We must rise to occasion and fill our heart and soul with His Word, for it is our help in the time of trouble, it is our strength in weakness, and it is our comfort in sorrow.  Christianity has become anemic and somewhat overpowered by the forces of darkness and negativity until we don’t even recognize we have lost our positive awareness that is our Faith.  God tells us in this Chapter, even in darkness, there is Light about me. Loving you, Pastor

The Spirit of this World

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning, how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” ~ Isa 14:12-14

There is quite a contrast to the thoughts of Lucifer, “the spirit of this world” and the “Spirit of God” that dwells in our world. O how precious the Living Word of God is to our soul! John 3:35-36 gives us this powerful information – “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.  He that believeth on the Son hath Everlasting Life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Jn 3:30-31 “He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: He that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all.” I find myself more and more involved in God’s Word as I see the Signs of Time unfolding in this our day. God has revealed our future in His Word and nothing of this world can detour the plan of God. Sometimes His plan is clear, and often we see through a ‘glass darkly’ as the Word mentions, but ultimately we will see Him face to face; I love the Words that follow: “Now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity, and the greatest of these is Charity, Follow after Charity and desire Spiritual Gifts.” [1 Cor 13:12-14:1] Faith. Hope, and Love continue to abide with the Born Again Believer who seeks for God to ‘increase’ in their life!  I hear the Words of the Job the most ancient of Scripture as he declares: “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the Breath of the Almighty hath given me Life.” ~ Job 33:4 The only “I Will” that is worthy in the earth is: “Jesus went a little further, and fell on His face, and Prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Jesus said unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”  Wishing you a joyous Resurrection Sunday, filled with the Spirit of the Living God! Loving you, Pastor

Hold Fast

Jesus promises that He will come quickly to call for His own and He gives us an admonition: “hold fast which thou hast”. He’s not talking about our bank account, our home, or any possession we have here on earth. He’s talking about crowns we will be rewarded in Heaven IF we “Hold fast”.  Webster defines hold as follows: to use strength, seize or retain; to persevere; to hold on to God in the midst of trouble; to keep good our present position, to not fall off or lose ground; to proceed in a course. We reminded of the Apostle Paul when he made the statement: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 3:14. Paul made a decision; he purposed in his heart that no matter the cost, no matter the trial, he would press on. We, too, must press on if we are to Hold Fast [On] to the Crowns Jesus wants to bestow upon us. These Crowns include: The Crown of Life IF we endure temptation – James 1:12; an Incorruptible Crown IF we are temperate in all things – 1 Cor. 9:24-25; a Crown of Righteousness IF we love His appearing; a Crown of Glory is given to shepherds IF they faithfully tend their flock; the Crown of Rejoicing is often referred to as the soul winner’s crown. This Crown would then be given as we witness/win the lost to Jesus. We must always remember that Jesus will come quickly, in the twinkling of an eye. Are we ready? Have we made Jesus Lord of our life? Are we walking in accordance with the Word of God? Does our life exemplify Christ? Let us be diligent to “Hold fast – that no man can take our crown.” Selah!     Loving you, Pastor

Psalms of Prayer

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Ps. 139

O how precious the Living Word of God is to our soul! In His Word we find solace, we find encouragement, we find help. It is often said in Christian circles, that the answer to all of life’s problems are found in the Word of God.  The problem is: we must read and meditate upon His Word to locate those answers. Today we explore the Prayers that have been prayed in the Psalms. Most of these Prayers are from the heart of David, a man after God’s own heart the Scripture reveals. There are probably several things that caused David to be a man after God’s own heart, but for sure he was a man of Prayer. An individual who knew the weakness of his flesh and constantly cried out to God to keep him from corruption of the day and the wickedness of humanity. He had his moments of failure but he Prayer was, God to make me. “Make me to understand Thy precepts:” – “Make me to go in the path of Thy Commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto Thy Testimonies, and to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way!” And a most important supplication unto the Lord, “Stablish Thy Word unto Thy servant, who is devoted to Thy fear.”  Perhaps there is a famine of the ‘fear of God’ in our world today. When the Evangelical vote is for an individual who has very little concept of God – we know this by what comes out of their mouth. Where is the ‘fear of God’ in our society today? Consider 2 Sam. 23:3 “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”  There was a righteous fear of God in David that cause him to know when ever he stepped out of line with the God of his Salvation.  Today we have the Holy Ghost that lives within us and if we let Him, He will convict us and keep us in the path that God has prepared for us. Thoughts to meditate upon. Loving you, Pastor

Give And It Shall Be Given

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

  

Give and it shall be given unto you. How much do we believe this Message that Jesus Preached? To think that whatever we give, the same measure will come back to us. Perhaps God intended for us to think before we give out harsh thoughts, or unkind actions. It is exceedingly interesting to note in Lev. 23:38 that as God speaks to the Children of Israel He includes in their Giving the Sabbaths. There it seems He is saying Give your Sabbaths, your gifts, your vows, and freewill offerings. Let’s meditate upon our Giving. What do we give daily to the Lord? For His Precious Blood covers us daily as we implore [cry out in Prayer] Him. Perhaps our thoughts are usually concerned with financial giving, such as offerings, tithes, etc. But here in the Bible – Leviticus. Our vows to Him are mentioned. What are our Vows to God, to Jesus, to the Holy Ghost? Being a New Testament believer our Sundays/Sabbaths are mentioned. Faithfulness to the House of the Lord is part of our Giving! Now if Gifts are mentioned ... hummm what is our Gifts?  In the New Testament under the Better Covenant, Jesus our Savour – the Gifts could be that which the Holy Ghost has given to the Church through Jesus shed Blood. For Jesus did not only redeem us, but He sent the Holy Ghost to be our Comforter in His Bodily absence. So then the question arises are we manifesting His Gifts within the Body of Christ? So many questions arise as I study for my message each week. I realize how frail the human nature is, and how subject we are to fleshly ways. It’s revelatory to just stop and give some personal time to meditation upon the Word of God.  If we could remember our ways, and know that however we are it will be returned to us, perhaps we would think before we speak or act.  If we will give unto the Lord sincerely in love and humility, perhaps we could not measure the returned result!     Loving you, Pastor

For This Cause

In this moment and time, there are many ‘causes’ that we see. The meaning of the word ‘cause’ is quite interesting. It means: a reason for an action; to effect by command – authority – force; a person that is the occasion of an action; an agent that brings something about; ... As we enter into the Holy Lenten Season it is evident that Jesus is the person that ‘caused’ a powerful action that redeemed our Life. He is our agent/mediator and O what He has brought about in our world! It is time to examine our ‘cause’ in life, and our ‘cause’ for the Kingdom of God. As we read the Word of God, we find spiritual ‘causes’ mentioned from the Old Testament throughout the New Testament. Jesus gives an Expository Message in John 18 as he talks about the Kingdom of God. It is important to remember we belong to the Kingdom of God. Jesus persecuted, beaten, and now questioned as He stands before Pilate. Pilate asks Jesus, “Art Thou the King of the Jews?”  Jesus answered him, “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Everyone that is of Truth hearth My voice.” Jesus had a ‘cause,’ a purpose to glorify His Father in heaven, “for this ‘cause’ He was born.”  Note the suffering that came with the ‘cause’ of Christ. The Lenten Season is Jesus’ most personal moments–His preparation, His temptation, His Ministry, His Teachings, and the giving of His life, a ransom for us! Let us offer a Lenten Discipline unto our Saviour, a physical discipline and a Spiritual Discipline. As born again believers what is our Christian ‘Cause;? In this Holy Season let us examine our hearts. Loving you, Pastor

Let Us Kneel Before Our Maker

As we enter into this year of politics, I have noticed the subject of humility in somewhat missing. The hour is upon us to come into a greater dimension of Prayer & Worship. There is a call from the heart of God – “O Come Let us Worship and Bow Down!”   This has been the message of our Church for many years.  There is “spiritual strength” in kneeling before the Lord, – answers to our Prayers – and healing as we take this position in Prayer. I think of Solomon the great wise King who humbled himself in midst of his people and kneeled to Pray. Think of this, Solomon built a huge platform of brass and he placed it before the people, then he kneeled down before all the congregation of Israel and spread his hands toward heaven and Prayed.  What an example before the people. God was gracious unto Solomon in many ways and granted him great wisdom. I think of Zacharias the priest coming before the Altar and there appeared the Angel of the Lord and gave him the Message of the birth of his son John the Baptist.  What a manifestation at the Altar of the Lord.  God had heard his prayer for a son!  Another example is Hannah, as she wept and cried before the Lord, he gave her a miracle of a son. There are many explanations of Worship, but let us consider kneeling in the altar of the Lord as a Worship that touches His heart and miracles are born when we humble ourselves and Pray.  Daniel knelt at an open window and Prayed; it gave him the strength to stay all night in a den of lions. Jesus knelt in Prayer as He faced a great human decision and it gave Him the strength to make the journey to Calvary and to die for our sins.  I like to think that as we draw near unto the Lord upon our knees, His ear is drawn to our cry in a most unique way.  I believe God is calling us as He did in the days of Joel to weep in the Altar and cry out to God to “Spare our Nation.”  – Ephesians Ch. 3 is a wonderful Passage of Scripture - Please read it in your devotions this week.  Paul declares, “For this cause I bow my knees:” – we have bold access to Jesus at the Altar of the Lord; Let us take time to bow before the Lord and Worship Him. Loving you, Pastor 

Keeping Covenant to Them That Love Him

Daniel cries out in Prayer to a Great God who keeps Covenant and Mercy with His People.  No doubt we have been a recipient of such Mercy as we walk in Covenant with the Lord.  The Covenant of the Old Testament is quite different from the Covenant of the New Testament that was written in the Blood of Jesus.  Most often saints don’t read Leviticus-Numbers; these are contained in the first five Books of the Bible that hold the instructions/restrictions of the Covenant that God gave to Abraham. If we sincerely looked into the Old Testament Instructions of Covenant it would truly make us more thankful for the New Covenant given to us on Calvary. Covenant is mentioned in the Bible 292 times; by this we know it is a very important issue with God.  “A Covenant is a written agreement, a binding Promise: a pledge, a contract.”   If we just had the time to stop and meditate upon these instructions we would be so grateful to Jesus for liberating us from them, by bringing in the New Covenant. Once Jesus died on the Cross, shed His precious Blood the New Covenant became our Promise!  Every Born Again Christian must know this, but it is good to take another look at it that our Covenant Keeping God.  How awesome it this?  Broken Covenants abound in our society!  Oh how we need the Covenant Keeping God! When He said, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee – He keeps His Word. It is also very interesting to read Hebrews while you are investigating the Old Testament Instructions. Because it is here that we learn the power of the New Covenant that God keeps with us in mind.  Note Hebrews 8:1-2 “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens;  A Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the True Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”  Jesus is the source of all Blessings as He keeps His Covenant with mankind. To name a few Blessings: Mercy, Remission of sins {thank you Jesus} Good things to come, Eternal Redemption, Purged Conscience, Eternal Inheritance, Victory over the enemy, Access to God, etc.  He is a Covenant Keeping God! Loving you, Pastor

How Shall We Praise Him?

How Shall We Praise Jesus?  So often our Praise is Thanksgiving and that is truly a blessings unto the Lord.  But as I mused on the thought “How Shall We Praise our Lord” – Truly Praise Him from the depth of our being. I Hear the Psalmist “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will Sing Praise to my God while I have my being.” So often as we try to focus on Him and Worship, many thoughts cloud our mind.  In this day of ‘fast things’ sometimes our Worship is caught up in the fast pace of life and does not touch our soul in such a way to bring Peace to our spirit. So often I have preached from the Book of Psalms, and here I am again. In the Psalms, this Passage mentioned is the 104th chapter, I encourage you to read the glorious facts of God’s creative power. As the writer of this Psalm comes to a close, there are vows and admonitions of Praise.  “I will sing unto the Lord; I will Sing Praise unto my God; My meditation of Him shall sweet; and I will be glad in the Lord!”  O that saints would Praise Him with such a strong ‘will’!  The Writer of Hebrews records God’s Message to us: “I will make a New Covenant; I will be Merciful to the unrighteous; I will put My Laws in their heart; I will never leave thee nor forsake them,” How awesome is that?  If these Promises of God be in our heart and soul then a Song of Praise should erupt from the depths of our being.  There is shallow praise, – Jesus made such a comment in Matt 15:8 “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.” My thought in this Message today is to inspire us to think on the depth of Praise that is in our heart. Does it pass our soulish realm, the place of our personal “I Wills?” And bring us into Spiritual Communion with the Presence of God? His Praise can not be hurried, it must be thoughtful, thankful, prayerful and filled with a depth of feeling – a feeling of love and devotion. “How Shall We Praise Him?”  With a Whole Heart!  We were created to Praise Him! The Word of God reveals in Ps. 102:18 ...“This shall be written for the generation to come: And the people which shall be created shall Praise the Lord.”   Together let us search the depth of our heart and give Him Praise!  I truly believe that God’s heart longs for His people to Sing and glorify. Loving you, Pastor

A Song in the Night

I hear the melody of a Song ringing in my Spirit – “More of you Lord, More of you!”  This should be our greatest desire that we would be filled with more of our Lord and Saviour!  That in the midst of our Night Season, that is, our trials and temptations, and hardships, we would cry out for more of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that there is a season to all things.  Eccl 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” VS 11-13 “God hath made everything beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the Gift of God.” A question was posed to me: “Why does mankind linger in the night seasons? Meaning the dark-side of life.  Thus a Message was born in my spirit – “A Song in the Night!”  We are familiar with Paul and Silas who sang at Midnight under horrendous circumstances – Perhaps the Lord is calling for a Song in the Night Season. Even as Paul and Silas were suffering their spirit sang the Praises of God.  What a thought, if we could sing God’s Praises when we are fearful, in danger, or suffering, in sorrow, or Anxiety, duress... this is the works of darkness, the works of the enemy! But God has promised “A Song in the Night!”  Ps. 40:2-3 “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established my goings.  He hath put a New Song in my mouth, even Praise unto our God: [And it has an effect on everyone around you] many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”  The Message I believe the Lord would convey to us is – He is in our night and if we will Praise Him with our Song, His Loving Kindness will pour over us.  Ps. 42:8 “The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the Night His Song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” O Church we must “admonish one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Singing with Grace in our hearts unto the Lord.” ~ Col 3:16 The Night Seasons have great purpose!   Loving you, Pastor

How Far Will You Go?

The Message today Epiphany Greetings in Jesus great and wonderful name. Epiphany is on the Church calendar which means: The Revelation.  It is the Revelation of Jesus the Christ to the Gentiles.  There is much to be said about this Revelation.  Jesus originally came for the Hebrew nation. He is the “King of the Jews!”  When we celebrate Epiphany we are celebrating the glorious fact that Jesus also accepted the Gentile nations. Again our Message today is built upon the Prophetical Utterances of the Old Testament.  As God speaks of the Generations of Noah, we hear this profound statement; Genesis 10:5 “By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.”After the great flood, came the Gentile Nations. And Prophecy continues; here is an excerpt from Isaiah 11:10-12 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.”  I am always amazed at what we find when we search the Scriptures. God’s Word is so revealing! It is when we meditate upon it and research all the information and Seek Him with a whole heart! This cannot be done in 10 minutes or in a devotional, it will take time in a good solid study Bible.  “How far will you go?” How far will we go to seek the One born King of the Jews?  Wise men journeyed a great distance, under dangerous circumstance, with only a sign in the heavens. We have the sincere Word of God, yet Christianity seems to be satisfied with hearing a Message or reading a devotion. Our sign is: The Word of God, Prophecy fulfilled, and direction of the Holy Spirit. Let me pose this question: “How far will we go in sin?” – In our habits that perhaps does not please the King? – In our attitudes, and our doubt? We must stretch our fleshly soul and go the distance to touch the Father’s heart in Spiritual matters, to take in the Wisdom of our God that He might be revealed in us.  How far will we go for Him? Matthew 6 talks about the ‘Cares of Life’ and Jesus said:  Matt.6:32-33 “For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  How awesome is this? Jesus personally encourages the Gentiles to seek Him first! How far will we go to seek Him who is born King of the Jews? O Lord Jesus, help us go the distance, Loving you, Pastor

Meditate Upon God's Goodness

The Message today Meditate: ‘to reflect deeply on a subject; devout religious contemplation; to silently calm your mind to focus on Spiritual reasons; to spend time in quiet thought for Spiritual purpose:’ In reading these definitions of Meditate, we quickly realize that it is most often difficult to silent our thoughts, to calm the stresses of the day [which the Word of God calls the ‘cares of life.’] and to shut out the many voices that surround us. As we take time in our busy schedule to Meditate upon the Word of God and the things of God, we quickly note that there are vibrant signs, moving us toward the Coming of the Lord.  He is Coming by life or by death, He is Coming. The Spirit of God is admonishing us to take time to Meditate upon the Goodness of God, to see His power in the land of the living, to quietly set before Him in Worshipful Meditation. Do we see the signs of the time; do we recognize how far our nation is moving from Godly concepts?  Jesus said in Luke 21:31-34 “When you see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand.   Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” In this New Year that lies ahead of us, let us take time for Spiritual matters, time for more personal Prayer, time for reading more of God’s Word, and then time to set and soak in what it is that He is saying to us in 2016. Let us determine to “Increase in Spiritual motivation,” that is, in our inner man.  From Jesus dedication in the Temple at His birth, He increased in   There will be challenges set before us, take time to Pray before decisions, to Meditate upon the Word of God. Remember that the Holy Spirit is present in you and surrounds you; He is there to comfort you, strengthen you, and to guide you into Truth. In this New Year let us wax strong [wax: means to increase-increase in spiritual strength]. Let us follow Jesus example; Wax strong in Spirit – consider the power of the Holy Ghost in our life; Fill our lives with Wisdom, that is take in more of His Holy Word, research, meditate and reflect on the powerful resources of God’s Word. And Scripture tells us the Grace of God was upon Jesus.  His Grace should motivate our life, granted us favor with the Lord and favor with mankind.  As we Meditate upon Spiritual matters in this New year, we will experience the Great Goodness of our God!  Let us Increase together in Him.     

Happy ‘Increasing’ in this New Year!     Loving you, Pastor