Thoughts To Live By

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

I Am the God that Healeth Thee, Advent Week 4

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

The Healer's Joy, Advent Week 3

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

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

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