" Voices of Obedience! "
Thoughts From the Pastor's Study:
Today's Advent deals with those who had their lives interrupted when they were called upon to be obedient to their Heavenly Father. In a day with so many voices, it is of great necessity that we pause to hear the Voice of the Lord in the midst of our busy schedules. His voice is ever seeking our allegiance, our attention and our devotion. It is my prayer that each one of you will read the Daily Devotion as we walk through the Holy Month of celebration of our Lord's birth. The purpose is to pause for a moment and reflect upon spiritual matters. Joseph comes to mind quickly as we see his life is somewhat in order; he is espoused to a beautiful young lady awaiting a Jewish wedding ceremony. Espoused means that all legal documents had been signed and contracts completed. All that was needed to complete the union was the wedding ceremony. While Joseph waited for that special moment, he discovers that his bride-to-be is with child. No doubt she is telling him what happened to her when the Angel Gabriel visited her. The brief details of this circumstance in Joseph's life are seen in Matthew Chapter one. Joseph is a just man/godly man. We find him in deep thought, not wanting to do anything publicly to hurt Mary. He thinks upon putting her away privately. Vs 20 " But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, far not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Vs 24-25 " Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS." Joseph's obedience to his God was a great part of bringing to us our salvation. There was also another person who would surrender to the obedience of her God. Mary's reply to the information from the angel; the Holy Ghost would come upon her and she would be overshadowed by the power of the Highest; and that which would be born of her wold be called the Son of God! Mary's response was; " Be it unto me according to Thy Word." But the greatest obedience was: " JESUS, being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross." In this Holy Season may we be mindful of our Obedience to Jesus Christ!
Loving you, Pastor
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Our Theme for This Holy Season is "Advent Voices! "
Today-- " The Prophecy of His Coming! "
From the Pastor's Study:
No doubt you have sent and received Christmas cards throughout the year with the term "Advent" upon them. Eventually one comes to know that Advent is a term used for Christmas; but too often one does not know the true meaning of "Advent." It means "Coming" - into being! It is a time of preparation in scripture for the coming of the Messiah. We explore the prophetical utterances from the Old Testament; and this year we contemplate the Voices that surround this Holy Event. There are those who say Christmas is pagan, but none the less, there was a birth of the Saviour--perhaps not on December 25th, but He was born and this we celebrate. There is coming yet another Advent! It will be the "Coming" of the Messiah in the clouds of heaven as He promised in Matthew 24:30 " Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." This was Jesus' own words as He taught in the Great Olivet Prophetical Discourse. the Apostle Paul reiterated Jesus' coming in IThessalonians 4:16-17 " For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The word Rapture is not in scripture, but the glorious Advent is truly therein these passages of scripture. Let us begin our Advent Season with preparation, four Candles, the fifth should be pink, which stands for great Joy as the birth of Christ draws near. Each night as the Daily Devotion of Advent is read, light the candle of the week and give thanks for our Saviour! let the Church celebrate Advent as one great voice of thanksgiving!
Celebrating Advent and Loving you, Pastor
From the Pastor's Study:
No doubt you have sent and received Christmas cards throughout the year with the term "Advent" upon them. Eventually one comes to know that Advent is a term used for Christmas; but too often one does not know the true meaning of "Advent." It means "Coming" - into being! It is a time of preparation in scripture for the coming of the Messiah. We explore the prophetical utterances from the Old Testament; and this year we contemplate the Voices that surround this Holy Event. There are those who say Christmas is pagan, but none the less, there was a birth of the Saviour--perhaps not on December 25th, but He was born and this we celebrate. There is coming yet another Advent! It will be the "Coming" of the Messiah in the clouds of heaven as He promised in Matthew 24:30 " Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." This was Jesus' own words as He taught in the Great Olivet Prophetical Discourse. the Apostle Paul reiterated Jesus' coming in IThessalonians 4:16-17 " For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." The word Rapture is not in scripture, but the glorious Advent is truly therein these passages of scripture. Let us begin our Advent Season with preparation, four Candles, the fifth should be pink, which stands for great Joy as the birth of Christ draws near. Each night as the Daily Devotion of Advent is read, light the candle of the week and give thanks for our Saviour! let the Church celebrate Advent as one great voice of thanksgiving!
Celebrating Advent and Loving you, Pastor
" Let's Give Thanks! "
" Therefore I will give Thanks unto Thee,
O Lord, among the heathen,
and I will Sing Praises unto Thy Name! "
From the Pastor's Study:
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we not only prepare for the Thanksgiving meal, but let us meditate upon the multitude of things to be thankful for in this past year. It will take a time of meditation to remember the marvelous works of the Lord. He has brought us to another season of thankfulness. Scripture records over and over to sing unto the Lord, to marvel in His goodness, and to give unto the Lord thanksgiving. Such thanks were an intricate part of the worship throughout bible times. As you read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, you find that the judgment of the Lord was strong upon Israel and the heathen nations. There were wars, captivity, wilderness wanderings, sometimes lack of food and water, but rejoicing always returned in the midst of repentance. In the New Testament they rejoiced in 'stripes and beatings' - in imprisonment, cruel mocking, scourging, they were stoned, sawn asunder and slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented. And Scripture tell us: " All, having obtained a good report through faith..." such servants of the Lord sang at midnight in the midst of the sore discomfort! It was through prayer and supplication that they made their requests known unto their God. And in the midst of the 11th Chapter of Hebrews where we learn this information, we read: " I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee." May a Holy Ghost inspired song arise in our spirit as we face the challenges of our day. And may the song of the Lord bring to remembrance the joy of thanksgiving in our heart.
Loving you, Pastor
O Lord, among the heathen,
and I will Sing Praises unto Thy Name! "
From the Pastor's Study:
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we not only prepare for the Thanksgiving meal, but let us meditate upon the multitude of things to be thankful for in this past year. It will take a time of meditation to remember the marvelous works of the Lord. He has brought us to another season of thankfulness. Scripture records over and over to sing unto the Lord, to marvel in His goodness, and to give unto the Lord thanksgiving. Such thanks were an intricate part of the worship throughout bible times. As you read the Scriptures in the Old Testament, you find that the judgment of the Lord was strong upon Israel and the heathen nations. There were wars, captivity, wilderness wanderings, sometimes lack of food and water, but rejoicing always returned in the midst of repentance. In the New Testament they rejoiced in 'stripes and beatings' - in imprisonment, cruel mocking, scourging, they were stoned, sawn asunder and slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented. And Scripture tell us: " All, having obtained a good report through faith..." such servants of the Lord sang at midnight in the midst of the sore discomfort! It was through prayer and supplication that they made their requests known unto their God. And in the midst of the 11th Chapter of Hebrews where we learn this information, we read: " I will declare Thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto Thee." May a Holy Ghost inspired song arise in our spirit as we face the challenges of our day. And may the song of the Lord bring to remembrance the joy of thanksgiving in our heart.
Loving you, Pastor
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