The Season of Eternal Gifts - Advent 1st Week

“God so Loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting life.

    

Expectation ─ Miracles Eternal Gifts …… O glorious and Miraculous season! What a miracle, the Virgin Birth of Jesus, the Son of God, Emmanuel! The Account of Jesus Birth has been told in this Church for 32 years and it has never changed!  We are talking about “Eternal Gifts” that God has given to the Church, His people! Joseph is mystified when he discovers his bride to be is with Child and it is not his.  The Miracle of Eternal Life begins: Matt 1:20-23 “…while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.─ Miraculous!  “She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall Save His people from their sins!” The Next Gift of Eternal Value – fulfillment of Isaiah’s Prophecy, “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with Child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us!  I’m talking about Miracles, Eternal Gifts given to the Body of Christ and it all began in this Holy Season of Jesus’ Birth. In Luke 1:30-32 the Bride, Mary gets a Miraculous visit. An Angel comes to her and says: “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:” I know the saints know this, but consider the Miracle, the Eternal Gift that was birthed in the place where animals are feed! ─ “no room in the Inn.” How could this happen? Miraculously!! That’s how! Luke 1:34-35 The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God!” Preparation for our Salvation was born! To comprehend this Great Gift, we must take time to think about it, meditate upon this High Holy Event that we Celebrate every Year. It is an Eternal Gift, a Forever Gift, God’s Love & Jesus Sacrifice: Let’s explode with Thanksgiving and say to all, Christmas is the Birth of our King!  Loving you and Anticipating a Glorious and Miraculous Christmas Season, Pastor

“Anticipate Our King!” Preparation for Thanksgiving and Holy Advent!

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory?  The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah!   ~ Ps 24:9-10

As we begin to prepare ourselves once more for the Holy Season of our Lord’s Birth, let us anticipate a glorious awareness of His Presence! The season that lies just ahead is a miraculous season as we contemplate the conception of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ.  This is the season of a Glorious Beginning! There is a call from the Spirit of God drawing us, filling us with Anticipation, and speaking Peace such as we have ever known. Yes He, Jesus, is our Peace and it is an indescribable Peace that comes with the entrance of our Saviour!  Not only is it a great moment of Anticipation, it is also the first mention of the Holy Ghost power and the impartation of life!  The Holy Spirit has been seen on several occasions in the Old Testament: it was the Spirit of God that moved upon the waters in the beginning of creation. The Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost is the Creative Spirit of God. He came into the earth in a most unique way; He came as Jesus was crucified. Jesus “… commanded His followers that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, saith He ... For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost...” Acts 1:4-5. As we anticipate the Coming Christ, The Holy Ghost is bound to appear.  Can you image the Anticipation that Joseph felt when the angel came to him and told him to take Mary as his wife, for that which was “conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.” And what “Anticipation Mary must of felt when the angel delivered the Advent Message to her:  In astonishment she questioned the Angel how this could be and this was the answer:  “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 Today we continue to anticipate the “Coming of our King!”  ‘He is coming in power, O hail the Blessed hour!’ What a song of Anticipation!  One last thought, the Creative force of God lives in you dear saints! Anticipate great things as we celebrate the King of Glory! Loving you & praying this will be a Holy Ghost season for you, Pastor

Prayer for America

We have just finished a month of prayer for America; I trust it was timely for our country needs God!  Remember to vote, vote for spiritual issues that will reclaim God’s commandments for our country.  Let us not be dormant in these times, but let us remember our freedom that God has given to us. Let us participate and keep our country in Prayer for God is ruler over all.  It is truly a time for Intercession and Prayer as we face the End-times.  We have well noted the time in which we live, the Word of God tells us, ‘it is the beginning of sorrows!’ Let us remember, “They that wait upon the Lord shall have renewed strength!”  Today we remember to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem for we know that there is prosperity in Loving the Lord’s Land.

As Scripture says: “Peace be within Thee!”  “ In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not Thine hands be slack.  The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with Joy; He will rest in His Love, He will Joy over thee with singing.
Loving you and Praying for you, Pastor

What To Do When I Am Desolate

What a glorious day in which we live, opportunities on every hand to display the Christ that lives within us! It is also a time of difficulties, trails and temptations.  In our Message today we take a serious look at Psalm 143.  It is powerful, first David begins to Prayer for it seems he is in great distress. He cries out for Mercy! He recognizes that no individual can be justified before a Holy God. But in his state of distress he also recognizes the “Faithfulness” of the God he serves and he asks for answers. David lets us know the enemy is persecuting his soul and he has been driven to darkness.  I’m wondering if anyone can identify with these feelings of desolation?  The devil is in conflict with his soul, [our soul] the place of all his affections, his goals, and his dreams; he goes on to say that the enemy is also overwhelming his spirit until his heart is desolate. Our spirit is the spiritual part of mankind, the place where Jesus abides, where the Holy Spirit of God convicts and comforts. What do we learn from David’s desolation?  As the Spirit of Lord is prompting him to write these words, we note that also the Holy Spirit is encouraging him in the right direction for we read his next heart felt statement: “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I Trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.” David’s heart cry continues:  ^“Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou art my God: Thy spirit is good. Lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for Thy name's sake: for Thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.” There are many instances of distress that David suffered but he railed against God only sought for His lovingkindness and requested His guidance.  Loving you and Praying for you, Pastor

Pressed Out of Every Measure

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were Pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:” ~ 2 Cor. 1:8 

God gave us this Promise, “I Am The God That Healeth Thee,” to the Israelites many, many years ago. It is still in effect today. He is our Healer! Not just from sickness, but He will heal from every harassment of the enemy of our soul. In this hour in which we live we must strengthen our Faith and Press into the Word of God. Faith is such an important Commodity C greatly valued and it has a companion of Patience. It is something that we Hope for, while we do not see the evidence of that which we Hope for we continue strong in our Faith and Trust in God. Hebrews 11:1-3 “Now Faith is the substance of things Hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” There have been a lot of teachings on Faith, but the simple Truth is here in this Passage of Scripture. When we don’t see the evidence of what we Pray for, we do as the Word of God exhorts … We Trust and Press! Our journey in this life is to reach our Eternal destination and it is described as a “Pressing!” To Press for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus!  Therefore we are faced with trials and tribulations, infirmities, and disappointments, but God is greater and His Promise is “I Am The God That Healeth Thee!” He heals us from all circumstances, as we walk in Faith and Hope and Trust Him for the Prize of Eternal Life! The faith of His friends pressed Jesus as they let the man sick of palsy down through the roof.  The women with the issue of blood Pressed through the crowd to Jesus, and Zacchaeus when he could not get through the Press, climbed a tree to see Jesus! In each instance it took a Pressing, what will we do to touch the hem of Jesus garment, or what will we do to ‘see Jesus?’ Let us be inspired by God’s Word to Trust Him with our life’s journey and follow in His footsteps until His Glory be revealed! Loving you and Pressing together we will see Jesus!  Pastor

Behold the Lamb!

“John stood, with two of his disciples; ... Looking upon Jesus as He walked, John saith, Behold the Lamb of God! The true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. ~John 1:9, 35-36

We are a Triumphant Church because Jesus is our Way, our Truth, and our Life! In this Message today we look once again at the proclamation of John, Jesus’ Cousin when he declared, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!” As we give some thought to this declaration, and perhaps some meditation, we are overwhelmed at this Great Gift that God has given to us.  Let us think about the Lamb of God, the Sacrifice of our heavenly Father. We know this, it is not a new thought. If we are a ‘Born Again’ believer of Jesus Christ, we are commissioned to follow His Way. This is a powerful thought and provokes our spirit to stop and give attention to such a Sacrifice for our sins. Today as we see the signs of corruption and the darkness of our world, we remember Jesus is the “Light of the world!” Where there is darkness, He is Light, where there is no knowledge of what way to turn, He is the Way and when there seems to be no truth in our society, He is the Truth! Each time we go our own way and disappoint the Saviour, we must remember He paid the debt for our sin with His Life and with His Blood. There are many things in our life that we consider a sacrifice, but not so great as the Sacrifice of Father God and His Holy Son. The Sacrifice of the Lamb of God must be in the forefront of our life as we face the future and the final Revelation of all things.  If you desire to know more about the Lamb, He is mentioned many times in the Book of Revelation. In all reality we are destined to be the Bride of Christ, the Lambs Wife! “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” Rev. 19:7. This is our quest: ‘to make ourselves ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.’  Loving you as we prepare for Him, Pastor

Follow That Which Is Good

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men.” ~ I Thess. 5:23

The Apostle Paul gave wonderful instructions to his followers as he sought to increase their love and labor for God. One important Passages of Scripture when he was instructing the Thessalonian Church is found in today’s Message.  As he instructed them in the ways of the Lord this statement stood out to me.  Follow that which is good! This is a powerful statement for today as we see the signs of corruption all around us.  We have great concern for our Children and our Youth as we send them off to college.  Our concerns are everywhere from who they hand out with to where they go and the friendships they develop. Basically Paul’s admonition here is to the Church folk, but it is so important to for a healthy Christian and in so admonishing a spiritual help to the youth and the college students.  While it is a powerful tool for the saint, it can be strength to the younger generation. These concepts will strengthen their character as well as be a witness for Christ as they serve the Lord. Follow that which is good!  If you are a Joyful person, it reflects on your character and the friendships you develop. It is also strengthening! Neh. 8:10 tells us: “The Joy of the Lord is our strength!” Rejoice is “showing forth Joy.”  Such rejoicing will change your heart, your mind, and your soul! Follow that which is Good-calls for more Prayer!  Evaluate what time you spend in prayer now and raise the standard of time for Prayer. Prayer is Communion with your Lord and Saviour and it is certain His Presence will show up when Communion begins in your soul and spirit. The next Scripture is life changing: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. It is easy to give thanks when all is well, but in adverse situations, Jesus help us!! As we follow that which is good, we hear our Lord say: “Faithful is He that calleth you, who will also do it!  These are simple Truths that move the hand of God in our life. We need to see God’s hand move, we need to sense His presence, we need to be guided by His precious Holy Spirit. The final statement is yet another verse in this Passage of Scripture: VS21 “Hold fast that which is good!  Lord Jesus help us to follow that which is good.”  Loving you, Pastor

Ways to Magnify God

“Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very Great; Thou art clothed with Honour and Majesty.” ~ Ps. 104:1

 “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His Glory.” The Greatness of our God remains on my mind as I began to prepare for this week’s Message. I could not shake the power, the glory, the honour or the Magnitude of our Holy God! He is so short changed in our society today and often looked at as just a God of Judgment. But, He is awesomely powerful in Forgiveness, strengthening us, and radiating in Holy Love for us! And that doesn’t even begin to say it all. As I mused on the ‘ways’ to worship Him, I was at a loss. I went to Scripture to see ‘ways’ to magnify our God Jehovah. Here are some of the ‘ways’ the saints of old have Magnified God. Job 36: Remember that you Magnify His work that everyone may see it. Behold, observe our God is Great! The number of His years cannot be searched out! Job praises for the rain, clouds, His Tabernacle, His Light, the sea, His Judgment! 2 Samuel 7: Worships: Let Thy Name be Magnified forever, the Lord of hosts, He is the God of Israel! David Ps 34, 104: I will bless the Lord at all times, His Praise shall continually be in my mouth, my soul shall make its boast in Him. O Magnify the Lord, exalt His name, He delivers me from my fears. Thou covers me, O Lord how manifold are Thy works, the earth is full of Thy riches. Paul Phil.1: “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Peter Acts 10: While Peter spoke the Word, the Holy Ghost fell on all – they heard them speak with tongues, and Magnify God with Thanksgiving. Mary, Jesus Mother, Luke 1: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.”  When giving honour to God in your thoughts begin to read the Scriptures and you will see the many ways that the saints in Scripture show homage to God’s Holiness.  In a day when our society wants to take God out of everything, we are destined to exalt Him!   Together we will magnify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.   Loving you, Pastor

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!

“Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in Holiness, fearful in Praises, doing wonders?” ~ Ex. 15:11

   

The Seraphims of Isa. 6:3 “…cried unto one another, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His Glory.” John saw The four Beasts in Rev. 4:8 and he said  “… they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”  We continue our study today concerning the Holiness of God. It is difficult to talk about the Holiness of God in one session. There is so much to be covered when we meditate upon our Holy God.  I think that might be the problem in our society today, there is little thought of God’s Holiness and what He requires of His saints.  Again, Holy means: “entirely devoted to a Diety.”  There is a lot of devotion to the things in our world today but to say the devotion is to God is yet another thought. God has declared in His Word [Isa. 45:22]  “Look unto Me, and be ye Saved, all the ends of the earth: for I Am God, and there is none else.”  The question is asked, what takes first place in our life? This is a question to think about, meditate upon and seriously consider!  Holiness is a commitment to a Christ-like life style. To understand Holiness in our life we look to Jesus. We see His actions, His passions, His commitment to His Father. There is a great need to day to get into the Gospels, [Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] and take a strong at the Life of Christ. Holiness, devotion to God, awareness of our frailties, sensitive to Spiritual matter, and faithfulness in our Christian character is all part of the Born Again saint of God.  Not only is God Holy, Jesus is Holy, and the Spirit of God Holy C and everything that pertains to Him is Holy, which means it is set apart for His use.  Scripture reveals [and I repeat from last week] His House is Holy, His Altar is Holy, The Furniture in His House is Holy. His Testimonies are Holy, His Promises are Holy, The Tithe is Holy, His Habitation is Holy, His Priests shall be Holy, the Garments of the Priests are Holy, … And He desires a Holy people, a Holy nation. A study of Holiness reminds us of a Holy God and His instruction to His people … Lev. 20:7 “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye Holy: for I Am the LORD your God.” Jesus Prayed:  …”  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I Am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”  ~ Jn. 17:15-18   Loving you as we pursue a Holy God together, Pastor

The Buss Family

I would like to introduce my personal friends Drs. Scott & Carolyn Buss. They have been closely associated with Shalom since 2001 as a Chartered School of Christian Education. Scott & Carolyn are Graduates of Shalom Bible College and Seminary and founders of The “International Institute of Music, Worship and the Arts.” They have been in Ministry for over 30 years. Together they have Ministered the Word of God, along being a Violin & Piano team. They have Ministered before dignitaries and as Missionaries throughout the world. The Institute is an extension of their Ministry “For the purpose of equipping and strengthening the Body of Christ.” We at Commerce Community Church are blessed to have them in Ministry today.

It is true that battles against demonic forces can be won by the Worship and Praise of God’s People. King David understood this as Scripture declares in:  1 Chron. 15:16  “David spake to the Chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the Singers with Instruments of Musick, Psalteries and Harps and Cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with Joy.” What we learn from this Passage of Scripture is: God loves music and as the Praises are head there is a voice of Joy that springs forth!  And God inhabits the Praises of His People therefore the enemy cannot overtake us!  Loving you, Pastor

The Friend of God

What does it take to be the Friend of God?
As I mused over the past Messages on Jehovah, our God I remembered that Scripture talks about being a Friend of God. As I went to the Scripture my mind was on; “What does it take to be a “Friend” of God?  There is much to be said about “friends” in the Bible.  It talks about good friends and it mentions friends of betrayal.  The Kingdom of Saul had fallen because His friendship with God had become void and there was no sound communication. His relationship with God had turned to disobedience.  Scripture reveals it was at this point that God chose David... The prophet Samuel brought the Message to Saul.  It is found in 1 Samuel 13:14 as the Prophet under the guidance of God speaks to Saul ─ “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought Him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded Him to be captain over His people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. And in Acts 13:22 we read: “And when He had removed Saul, God raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine Own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.” Is not the First Commandment of God, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, thy soul, thy might, thy mind, thy strength and thy neighbor as thyself …?  [Deut 6:5 -Matt 22:37-Mark 12:30- Luke 10:27] This is the pattern for the Friend of God. Those of our forefathers who obeyed the Lord were His Friend. It takes communication to develop a friendship. If we desire a friend we must be a friend! Consider Moses, Abraham, and Jesus spoke of Lazarus as a friend. The Wisdom Literature of Scripture declares: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  Prov. 18:24 Jesus! The Friend that sticks close – Hear His Words: John 15:15-16  “… I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  Loving you Pastor

The Faithful God

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the Faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that Love Him and keep His Commandments to a thousand generations;” ~ Deut 7:9

My heart has been captivated once more as the Messages of “God our Jehovah” has come into my spirit. Over and over it rolls in my mind, the Faithfulness of our God. All through Scripture we are given precious promises of His Faithfulness, of His Holiness, and of the Mighty Power of the God we serve.  There are many Gods today in our society and yet there is only One God and He is Jehovah, the One who has given us His Son and the Written power of His Word.  He is taken for granted a lot these days as our country is slowly losing sight of His glory and Majesty. He is a Faithful God, keeping Covenant thousands upon thousands of years. In a day when contracts are easily broken and vows set aside as they had never been vowed ... there is a Faithful one keeping His Word.  He has be rejected, neglected, cursed, and forgotten to many in our society, yet He remains the same – full of Love and Compassion for His creation! In our temptations, and sometime disobedience, He never wavers. Our God is always on hand with forgiveness and a way of escape from the evil one. He is a Faithful High Priest and a Faithful Creator.  His Faithfulness is new every morning! Yesterday was full of trials and temptations, harassment and perhaps stress, and perhaps some weeping, but as His Word declares; “Joy cometh in the morning!” Because His Mercy endures and His compassion never fails – it is new every morning! O church, Great is the Faithfulness of our God!  Give Him praise, Give Him Honor and Magnify His Holy Name! Loving you, Pastor

There is None Like Thee

“Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might. Who would not fear Thee, O King of Nations? For to Thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the Nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto Thee. ~ Jer. 10:6-7

O Worship the Lord let us exalt His name together!  Truly the Lord Jesus is to be praised, and our Father God is to be revered, let us hallow His Holy name!  What an awesome service the Lord extended unto us last week. I have rejoiced all week just to see hungry souls in the altar at Commerce. So much is going on in our world, and many are hurting and desolate! Jesus Christ is our only answer.  As I mused over all the things that the Lord did in our midst, I could only say unto Him, “There is none like unto Thee!”  Immediately I knew that such a phrase came from Scripture and so the Message was born.  O God there is none like thee!  How important is such a statement in this moment and time? The signs of the time [God’s timing] are all around us! As we keep our eye on Israel and a Prayer in our heart for her Peace, we recognize that “There is no God like Jehovah!”  Scripture reveals His glorious power:  Jeremiah speaks as the Oracle of God and declares:  “The Lord is the True God, He is the Living God, and an Everlasting King: and there is none like unto Him!”  As you Read Chapter 10 of Jeremiah, he speaks about the gods of this world and twice he proclaims “There is none like unto Thee, O Lord!” He admonishes us not to learn the way of the heathen [think on this] and not to be dismayed by the signs of heaven; the heathen will be dismayed!  Here is a powerful statement as we remember there is none like unto our God ... “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps,,,”  The psalmist echoes the cry of Jeremiah; “Among the gods, there is none like unto thee, O Lord; All the nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, and shall glorify Thy name, for Thou art great and Thou art God alone!” I hear David’s Pray ... “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.”  ~ Ps 119:35 Loving you, Pastor                  

There is a Just God

 “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside Me; a JUST GOD and a SAVIOUR; there is none beside Me.” ~ Isa. 45:21

“Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His Own Inheritance.”~ Ps.33:1 We continue to talk about our Liberties throughout the month of July giving honour to our Military for our Freedom, and most assuredly to our God! We are a Blessed Nation and a people with an inheritance! Perhaps you have not been left an inheritance; nonetheless you have an inheritance in Christ, not only each of us as an individual, but also our Nation.  Our Nation was founded on ‘Godly Principles;’ and many have gave their life for the Liberties and Freedoms that we enjoy today.  It is normal when we have something all our life, to sometimes take it for granted. Today we want to give thanks for our Founding Fathers who had a mind to follow God in laying the foundation for our America under much persecution. The following is a quote from “Patrick Henry,” a Founding Father of our Nation.  “An appeal to the God of hosts is all that is left us! We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath place in our power. … Besides, we shall not fight our battles alone, There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us … Is life so dear, or Peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me Liberty or give me death!”And so it is in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have Liberty and Eternal Life through His death!  It is good for us to give time and meditation to the Liberty of our country and so much more to the Liberty wherein Christ has set us Free! Sometimes we don’t feel justice has been done in certain circumstance, but we serve a Just God who is the Ancient of Days and in Him shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory! “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from Faith to Faith: as it is written, The Just shall live by Faith.”    Loving you, Pastor

There is None Like Thee

“Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might. Who would not fear Thee, O King of Nations? for to Thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the Nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto Thee. ~ Jer. 10:6-7

O Worship the Lord, let us exalt His name together!  Truly the Lord Jesus is to be Praised, and our Father God is to be Revered, let us hallow His Holy name!  What an awesome service the Lord extended unto us last week. I have rejoiced all week just to see hungry souls in the altar at Commerce. So much is going on in our world, and many are hurting and desolate! Jesus Christ is our only answer.  As I mused over all the things that the Lord did in our midst, I could only say unto Him, “There is none like unto Thee!”  Immediately I knew that such a phrase came from Scripture and so the Message was born.  O God there is none like thee!  How important is such a statement in this moment and time? The signs of the time [God’s timing] are all around us! As we keep our eye on Israel and a Prayer in our heart for her Peace, we recognize that “There is no God like Jehovah!”  Scripture reveals His glorious power:  Jeremiah speaks as the Oracle of God and declares:  “The Lord is the True God, He is the Living God, and an Everlasting King: and there is none like unto Him!”  As you Read Chapter 10 of Jeremiah, he speaks about the gods of this world and twice he proclaims “There is none like unto Thee, O Lord!” He admonishes us not to learn the way of the heathen [think on this] and not to be dismayed by the signs of heaven; the heathen will be dismayed!  Here is a powerful statement as we remember there is none like unto our God ... “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps,,,”  The psalmist echoes the cry of Jeremiah; “Among the gods, there is none like unto thee, O Lord; All the nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, and shall glorify Thy name, for Thou art great and Thou art God alone!” I hear David’s Pray ... “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.”  ~ Ps 119:35  Loving you, Pastor                  

By the Word of Our Testimony

They overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their Testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.  ~  Rev. 12:11

Today we have the glorious opportunity to Testify and lift up the name of Jesus! The Word of God is the greatest Testimony confirming to us that it is in God that we place our trust. Our Hope is in Him. Too often we move through life dealing with disappointments, hard circumstances, loss and sometimes failure. We have a tendency to remember these hard places.  Sometimes they just attack us and come seemingly form no where. Of course we know the enemy of our soul is at work and this should be a time when we “overcome by the Word of our Testimony!” The word “overcame” is used only three times in Scripture. Once when the enemy overcame the disciples as they were stepping out two by two to follow in Jesus footsteps. Secondly, it is said of Jesus in  Rev. 3:21 “To him that Overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also Overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.”  This is awesome when you think about the Overcoming power of Holy Spirit.  It was the strength of the Holy Spirit that walked with Jesus through the wilderness experience. It was so much more than a wilderness experience. Jesus was tempted sorely as He fasted and overcame the temptations of the devil. The third time “Overcame” is used is our text today. We must overcome and we can do this by the Blood of Jesus that was shed for us.  It is [1] Confessing the power of Christ in our life and [2] Overcoming the works of the enemy by Our Testimony!  As we share today, let us give glory to the “Overcoming Christ” who hath ─ “raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”  ~ Eph. 2:6  Loving you, Pastor

Trust in God

“Now know I that the Lord Saveth His Anointed; He will hear him from His Holy Heaven with the Saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” ~ Psalm 20:6-8 I pray that this week you have responded to the challenge of last week’s Message, to give an hour daily for “Love and Thankfulness to God” – not asking for anything, just Thanking Him for who He is and the Sacrifice He has given for our Eternal Life. As I thought on such a challenge, this week I was nudged to give Thanks for being able to “Trust Him!”  As I meditated upon this I found scores of reasons wherein I had Trusted Him and He came through for me.  How awesome is our God. O Lord, help us to take time to remember the multitude of situations that You have walked beside us. You have forgiven us; You strengthen us, and leads us in paths that we might not have taken. Let the Church reflect on the 23rd Psalm for a moment – think of all the ‘wants’ that He has provided, not to mention the ‘needs.’ Have you ever felt a calm come over you in some desperate situation? No doubt you have, that is Him leading us beside still waters and bringing ‘calm’ to our soul ─ restoring us! He is the Christ of our crisis, the dark valleys: His Light guides us through those difficult places and Resurrection is our portion. On and on go the thankful moments! And yes He prepares a table in the midst of our enemy – for while the devil would seek to steal, Kill and destroy: God sent Jesus to give us life, and that we might have it more abundantly.  This is our hour to seize the moment! For in Thanksgiving, God’s heart is turned toward His Children, He Anoints us with oil, our cup runs over! And Goodness and Mercy are always present with us: And we fear no evil! Our destiny is to dwell in the House of the Lord forever! We can Trust you Lord, for you are our God! You shelter us from the Storm, You are our secret hiding place …  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding!”  Loving you, Pastor

The Sacrifice of a Father

God said to Abraham, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”  ~ Genesis 22:2 

Today we welcome the Fathers and give thanks for everyone of them. We wish them a Blessed Father’s Day!  I want to share in the Message today about the Fathers who have made a difference in our lives. We’ll look at Fathers of Faith, Fathers of Obedience, Fathers who have waged a good warfare, and a Father who loves us unconditionally. You may have good memories of your Father, you may not, but you have a Father who loves you despite all circumstances, His love is unfailing!  God loved the world so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to die for us. This all began back in the Old Testament when a man heard the voice of God to Sacrifice his only son.  Because of Abraham’s Faith and Obedience to follow God even when he did not understand, we have received Redemption and Eternal Life.  We know that Redemption and Eternal Life comes through Jesus Christ, but it all started in a Father called Abraham.  God asked him to do the unthinkable! Willing and obedient he followed the Lord’s instructions.  We will always come into the Blessings of God when we follow His instructions! David a man of war, a man who desired to build a House for the Lord, and a man after God’s own heart raised up a Son Solomon to build the Tabernacle of the Lord!  The father Zacharias raised up a son who would be the Forerunner of our Saviour, he was John the Baptist. And Father God gave us Jesus who is our Saviour!  Willing Fathers have made a difference in our lives; Fathers have given their lives on the battle fields for our Freedom, and our Father God stands hears the “interceding” of His son for our generation!  Giving Thanks for our Fathers! 
As always, Loving you!  Pastor        1 John 2:15        

Seek Ye The Lord

“Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  ~ Isaiah 55:6, 9.

I have had a couple of weeks to rest, meditate, and seek the Lord for direction in these summer months. I believe He is pleased with us to have these Wednesday night services. I pray that the Commerce Family will take advantage of the services as we take time out of our busy schedules to give a moment for Worship and the Word. It is time to seek the Lord! I love the above Scripture for it is a positive note for our everyday living.  If we “Seek the Lord, He will be near.”  Sometimes we seek Him when we need Him or when we are in trouble. But to Seek Him because we desire Him and Love Him is yet another thought!  Sometimes we ask for what it is that we want or need, when if we truly sought Him we might find His way is higher than our way.  His way might be better for us! His thoughts toward us are majestic! They are so far higher than our thoughts! His plans for our lives are greater then we can dream!  We live in such a hurried time, that there seems to be little time to just sit in quiet and listen for His voice. Let the Church know that our Lord is near!! That Passage of Scripture goes on to ask us to forsake our wicked ways. May we discern any negative or wicked way that we entertain? God is merciful and abundant in forgiving us our short comings/our sin. Not a lot is talked about regarding sin. It is the little foxes that spoil our branches. Worry, distrust, negative attitudes, unfaithfulness to read God’s Word, or pray daily, those are the little foxes that spoil our branches.  Just wrong attitudes in general.  God has asked us to have a ‘Thankful Spirit’ – to enter His gates with Thanksgiving! His thoughts toward us is: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of Peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Let us seek the Lord more aggressively! Loving you, Pastor

Gracious Words

It was said of Jesus: “And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the Gracious Words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?  ~ Luke 4:22 

   

Our Message today touches the heart of each individual as we explore “Gracious Words.”  It was said of Jesus that all who heard Him that day in the Synagogue wondered at His Gracious Words! Gracious has a depth of meaning that is often overlooked.  For a few minutes we focus on its meaning: Merciful, Compassionate, polite to inferiors … In this Message today we will note that Jesus had been among the people routinely at the Synagogue, now all of sudden they notice Him in a different light. What brought about the changes in Jesus? He had gone through ‘preparation’ for His Ministry, He had passed the test of temptation, He had been faithful to honor His Father. How did He pass His temptations?  By speaking the Word of God. Jesus returned from His testings “in the power of the Spirit!” As He read from the Book of Isaiah, the Scripture revealed who He was: And what stopped them in their tracks and caused them to wonder at the Gracious Word, was when He said: “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears! Gracious Words should come forth from our mouth when we are filled with the Spirit of God. Words of Mercy, Compassion, and love for the less comely! We read in [Prov. 12:14] A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: We find instruction in the Book James, Jesus half brother: And this is the point of our Message today. [3:9-11]  “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” I believe God is speaking to His followers, the ones who are called by His name. Is our conversation “Gracious?”  Is it Christ-like? Does it magnify God? Does both blessings and cursing come from our lips?  “…be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” ~ 1 Tim. 4:12  Let us press for the prize of the high calling together!   Loving you, Pastor

The Mother Heart of God!

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted …”  ~ Isaiah 66:13

Mother’s Day Blessings from Pastor: This Special Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia in 1908.  An unknown author penned this Precious Invocation:

“O God, who has built up Thy Church through the divers Gifts and Graces of they faithful servants; we give Thee humble thanks for the example of devoted women, and especially, this day,  for our Mothers; and we beseech Thee to maintain among us the shelter of a Mother’s Love and the protection of a Mother’s Prayer; in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!”

We welcome the Mothers to the Lord’s house today and we honor you! We pray that God will surround you with His precious Holy Spirit as you are honored in the midst of the Commerce family. As we celebrate this great day our heart turns toward the Word of God. There we see God remembers Mothers in Scripture:  No matter the Child, whether there were wise or foolish, righteous or evil – their Mother is remembered. I read perhaps a dozen time or more: “His Mother’s name was …” You will no doubt remember this: [Matt. 20:20-22] “Then came to Jesus the Mother of Zebedde’s children and when Jesus asked What wilt thou? She said unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on they right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy Kingdom!” Who else but a Mother would be so passionate about their sons? When you think of what she requested of Jesus, we see the heart of a Mother, wanting the best for her children. Thank God for Mothers of unfeigned Faith such as the Grandmother Lois and the Mother Eunice had as they raised Timothy.  As Paul related this to Timothy He said; “I am persuaded that such Faith is also in you! To all the Mothers, we love and appreciate you! Blessed are the Mothers of today and tomorrow, for they have been summoned to a great heroic hour. Loving You, Pastor

After Death - Life

Jesus said: “I Am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I Am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”  ~ Revelation 1:18

We have followed Jesus in the preparation for His Ministry, we walked along the shores of Galilee with Him, we have seen His miracle working power. We have heard those powerful Words that He spoke to Martha in John 11:25-26 −“I Am the Resurrection and the Life!”  Perhaps we should meditate a moment upon the ladder part of that Scripture; “…He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”  It is important to take a good look at Jesus after His death.  We often focus on the Resurrection and then after Resurrection Sunday move on to other subjects.  But it is good to focus on Jesus life after His death and after His Resurrection.  When we focus on this period of His life after everything we learn some powerful information. An encounter with Him after His Resurrection causes our hearts to burn within us! No burning, No manifestation of His presence! To experience this ‘burning’ that the disciples experienced came as they took time to walk with the Risen Lord!  Time to inhale His Words and remember the elements of who He is:  The Bread and the Fruit of the vine. The moment the Bread broke Bread!! Yes He is the Bread that came down from heaven and He is the one who broke bread with His followers. That minute He shared the emblems of Himself with them they knew it was Jesus!  As we take time to walk with the Lord Jesus, He will reveal Himself to us.  After His death in Resurrection He walked with His disciples, talked with them, ate Fish with them – and they handled the marks of His wounds. They knew Him as they had known Him and so it is with our loved ones that have preceded us in death.  We will know them, they will be youthful as Jesus is for we read …1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. Jesus ascended into heaven 33-34 and we shall be like HIM!    Always praying for you, and loving you, Pastor

Moments After Resurrection Part 5

“The graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after Jesus Resurrection, and went into the Holy City, and appeared unto many.”   ~ Matt.27:52-53 

What Power Resurrection!? “Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign, He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah! Christ arose!”  What a powerful song written by Robert Lowry.  Just to sing it, is to sense that powerful moment when Jesus came forth from the grave overturned the power of darkness and became our Hope of Eternal Life!  There were “happenings” at that moment that sometimes are overlooked. Let us begin at the moment preceding the “empty tomb!”  The Angel has come and rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb.  Scripture reveals in Matthew Ch. 28. The guards in great fear, and shaking became like dead men.  As the Sabbath ends and the first day of week begins to dawn, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome come bringing sweet spices that they might anoint Jesus body – they came wondering how they would roll away the stone. They found the stone rolled away and this awesome Message: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, He has risen!”  Jesus appears first unto Mary Magdalene and as she reaches to embrace Him; ^“Jesus saith unto her, touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father … and to My God, and your God.” In those first brief moments Jesus presented Himself to the Father and became our Sacrifice for Salvation.  “And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them….” Jesus went and preached unto the spirits in prison; and He said: “I Am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I Am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” I can only respond as Paul:  “That I might know Him in the power of His Resurrection…” Loving you, Pastor.