"When eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, His name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord." Luke 2:21-22
Thoughts After Christmas From Pastor's Study:
We celebrate many days before we come to the day we celebrate the Lord's Birth. Then, we have a glorious celebration on the day set aside for this moment... then what? I believe it is meant for us to follow Jesus throughout His life, that we might grow spiritually. For as we follow in His footsteps, we will "wax strong" and become a true disciple of Jesus our Lord and Saviour! So often humanity celebrates a landmark and then proceeds on their way never looking back at what they have celebrated. But, Jesus is to be celebrated all through our life. This is why our forefathers set forth the Church Calendar, so that Jesus, the Christ, would be remembered all year long. Some tremendous things occurred after the Birth of Christ that bears mentioning. Now Joseph and Mary have a Child, not just any Child, but a miraculous Child. We note that Mary ponders every thing that occurs and Joseph remains alert to the instructions of God as they prepare to leave Jerusalem. It appears in Scripture that they may have remained there in the stable for eight days. They were waiting for the appropriate time to present Jesus to the Priest. From this point on, Joseph must be continually alert, for God has given him the responsibility for the Christ Child here on earth. While Mary ponders things in her heart, Joseph remains alert to the instructions of God. From the Birth of Jesus we learn some powerful things. First, we must bring our new born child to the House of God for His Blessings to be imparted upon them. Some churches sprinkle them, we "dedicate" them. It is in presenting them to the Lord that is important. Today we see Simeon being led by the Holy Ghost, and the "Dedication" begins as Jesus is swooped up into his arms and blessed. Then we hear: "A Light to Lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel!"
The Gentiles, we are included....
Loving you, Pastor
Happy New Year from our House to yours! God Bless every one of you in the coming year 2013. Let us Rejoice that we have another year to serve the Lord and Grow in His Grace!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Saturday, December 22, 2012
" Voices of the 1st Worshippers! "
The Holy Season Theme is: " Advent Voices! "
Advent Thoughts From Pastor's Study:
As we ponder the Scriptures and hear the voice of Gabriel bring the supernatural messages to Joseph and Mary, one might wonder about all the things that will transpire as this Great Mystery unfolds. Once again we hear the Voice of the Old Testament Prophet Micah [5:2] -- " Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Let us draw near to a quiet night where shepherds are watching their flocks out on the hills of Bethlehem. It is a quiet and serene evening; the stars are brightly shining as the Shepherds lazily keep their eyes on the flock. In the midst of this star filled moment, " the Angel of the Lord appears " ... and very important, " the Glory of the Lord shines upon them! " Hmmm, I wonder what our reaction would be if such a supernatural being appeared unto us? Can you feel the fright of that moment? God is so gracious toward mankind, it is in being crowned with His lovingkindness that He redeems our lives form destruction and covers us with His tender mercies [Ps. 103:4]. So it was at this moment, in the midst of the presence of God's Glory that the voice of the Angel declares: "Fear Not!" and the message of all eternity is delivered! Luke 2:10-14 -- " Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The mystery is revealed with signs! " This shall be a sign unto you! Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men." O Church, hear the Word of the Lord! Ephesians 2:14 -- "He is our Peace!" As the shepherds received the message of Peace on earth.... they hasten to obey and go quickly to this glorious thing that had come to pass. And when they returned to their flock, we hear their voices--the voices of those who were blessed to visit the Christ Child first ~ "The shepherds returned, Glorifying and Praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen..." Let us exalt the Christ!
Loving you, Pastor
Advent Thoughts From Pastor's Study:
As we ponder the Scriptures and hear the voice of Gabriel bring the supernatural messages to Joseph and Mary, one might wonder about all the things that will transpire as this Great Mystery unfolds. Once again we hear the Voice of the Old Testament Prophet Micah [5:2] -- " Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Let us draw near to a quiet night where shepherds are watching their flocks out on the hills of Bethlehem. It is a quiet and serene evening; the stars are brightly shining as the Shepherds lazily keep their eyes on the flock. In the midst of this star filled moment, " the Angel of the Lord appears " ... and very important, " the Glory of the Lord shines upon them! " Hmmm, I wonder what our reaction would be if such a supernatural being appeared unto us? Can you feel the fright of that moment? God is so gracious toward mankind, it is in being crowned with His lovingkindness that He redeems our lives form destruction and covers us with His tender mercies [Ps. 103:4]. So it was at this moment, in the midst of the presence of God's Glory that the voice of the Angel declares: "Fear Not!" and the message of all eternity is delivered! Luke 2:10-14 -- " Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." The mystery is revealed with signs! " This shall be a sign unto you! Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men." O Church, hear the Word of the Lord! Ephesians 2:14 -- "He is our Peace!" As the shepherds received the message of Peace on earth.... they hasten to obey and go quickly to this glorious thing that had come to pass. And when they returned to their flock, we hear their voices--the voices of those who were blessed to visit the Christ Child first ~ "The shepherds returned, Glorifying and Praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen..." Let us exalt the Christ!
Loving you, Pastor
" The Voice of Mystery! "
Advent Thoughts From Pastor's Study:
Paul's voice is heard as he writes under the direction of the Holy Ghost: As he talks about the "Unsearchable Riches of Christ" he reveals a mystery from the beginning of the world! " To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ " ~ Ephesians 3:9. It is called the "Fellowship of Mystery," and is a revelation that was given to the Apostle Paul. When we talk about a revelation, it is simply a truth that is uncovered, revealed. This chapter in Scripture is talking about the Church. It was in the heart of God from the beginning of all things. What a thought--how lightly Christianity takes the Church. However, the Church is not a denomination as humanity has labeled it; it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ who was with God in the beginning and all things were created by Him and for Him. In this baby that we see lying in a manager, a very low place in our society, the Church would be born--the gathering of the saints for worship, instruction and teaching--that we might know we are " Fellow heirs and partakers of God's Promise in Christ. " After the day of Pentecost, the disciples began to go among the people and declare the Christ who had been crucified. The Church was coming forth, and at Antioch the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. We are now Christians, disciples of Christ and examples of the gospel. The Babe that fulfilled the Promises of the Old Testament has revealed the mystery in the heart of God and brought Eternal Life to humanity. O the glorious Promise of such a Mystery, that mankind would dwell together and worship, not just the New born King, but we would receive the manifestation of the Christ who would dwell in the hearts of humanity and save us from our sins. There is one condition... we must repent and call upon the name of the Lord! Serving Him becomes our life sentence... for He is Emmanuel, God with us. The Mystery of the Church is in us. We are the dwelling place of the Promise of God. Let us remember we are: "Crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who Loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The Mystery revealed: He lives in us.
Loving you, Pastor
Paul's voice is heard as he writes under the direction of the Holy Ghost: As he talks about the "Unsearchable Riches of Christ" he reveals a mystery from the beginning of the world! " To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ " ~ Ephesians 3:9. It is called the "Fellowship of Mystery," and is a revelation that was given to the Apostle Paul. When we talk about a revelation, it is simply a truth that is uncovered, revealed. This chapter in Scripture is talking about the Church. It was in the heart of God from the beginning of all things. What a thought--how lightly Christianity takes the Church. However, the Church is not a denomination as humanity has labeled it; it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ who was with God in the beginning and all things were created by Him and for Him. In this baby that we see lying in a manager, a very low place in our society, the Church would be born--the gathering of the saints for worship, instruction and teaching--that we might know we are " Fellow heirs and partakers of God's Promise in Christ. " After the day of Pentecost, the disciples began to go among the people and declare the Christ who had been crucified. The Church was coming forth, and at Antioch the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. We are now Christians, disciples of Christ and examples of the gospel. The Babe that fulfilled the Promises of the Old Testament has revealed the mystery in the heart of God and brought Eternal Life to humanity. O the glorious Promise of such a Mystery, that mankind would dwell together and worship, not just the New born King, but we would receive the manifestation of the Christ who would dwell in the hearts of humanity and save us from our sins. There is one condition... we must repent and call upon the name of the Lord! Serving Him becomes our life sentence... for He is Emmanuel, God with us. The Mystery of the Church is in us. We are the dwelling place of the Promise of God. Let us remember we are: "Crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God, who Loved me, and gave Himself for me."
The Mystery revealed: He lives in us.
Loving you, Pastor
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