Jesus Said, “I will never leave you!” March 4, 2012

Welcome to the “Lenten Season.” We are commemorating the Lord Jesus. In our Messages this month we are exploring the earthly feelings of Jesus as He walks among men and as He prepares for the final Passover.  We are blessed that you are with us today.  May you sense a depth of His Love as we worship together.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” − Heb. 4:15

As we walk through the Lenten Season this year our theme is, seeing the humanness in Jesus.  He is Divine but He is robed in flesh. We know this, but somehow we take for granted that the Son of God does not experience weaknesses or fleshly feelings such as we might have.  Our Lord Jesus experiences in these years upon earth, the same temptations that we go through.  He is our example of “overcoming!” Jesus experience things that He has not known before, when He was seated at the Right Hand of His Father in Heaven. When we truly begin to think on these things and to meet with Jesus as He teaches, and goes about doing the Father’s Will, we will see His heart. A heart that is willing to Sacrifice it’s own life that we might live eternally. A heart that was willing to be abused, mocked, berated, and scoffed at: but in obedience to His Father He set out to fulfill His Father’s Will. He experienced grief, agony, He wept, He embraced the “Joy” that was set before Him ─ to die for humanity. Something that we sincerely need is “rest.” A good night’s sleep always feels good.  This day Jesus enters into a ship and the disciples follow Him. [Note here, even when you follow Christ, there can be storms in your life]. We will be looking at the Scriptures in Matthew the 8^th Chapter as Jesus no doubt weary from the crowds, the miles and miles of walking, nestles down in the ship and catches a few ZZZZ. A storm comes us and as it rages, the disciples wake Him and said: “Save us: we perish!” [It’s always a good thing to call on Jesus when your in the midst of a storm ─ ‘there are many types of storms in life.’]  Jesus, He is always there, sensing your fears, instructing in love, overcoming His flesh, and being miraculous in your life!  Remember Him in this Holy Season of His Passion!  His Passion was for you and as you practice your Lenten Discipline, it is for Him.               Loving you, Pastor

Jesus, Groaned & Wept! February 26, 2012

Welcome to the “Lenten Season.” We are commemorating the Lord Jesus life as He when into the wilderness and was tempted of the devil.  He was victorious over the temptations of the enemy and we are inspired to follow in His footsteps and be victorious! We are blessed that you are here.

The Lenten Season has begun, it is the season that points to spring, and reminds us of the knowledge of Resurrection.  Just as the earth wakes up when winter is past, so our mortal bodies shall one day spring forth in immortality – in Resurrection power! O Glorious morning!  In this Lenten Season, we remember the Lord Jesus as He came out of the waters of Baptism and went forth into the wilderness.  It was a time of preparation for Ministry as He fasted those forty days. As Jesus came to the end of the forty days of fasting, Scripture says He was hungry! This is when the devil chose to tempt Him, in the midst of a spiritual time of abstaining. Jesus was victorious as He came forth from the wilderness and the temptation of the enemy. He was now Truly about His Father’s business, the days wherein He would teach His followers, correct them, warn them and prepare them for His departure.  As the time of Jesus life on earth is winding down, He is busy going about doing good, obeying His Father. There has been quite a few attempts now on His life. His friend Lazarus has died and has been in the grave four days. As most saints know, Jesus went to Bethany to the place of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It is here that Jesus declared: “I am the Resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though He were dead, yet shall He live!” Why then did Jesus “weep” at the grave site?  Jesus ‘groaned’ C it was a conflict once again with satan and the power of death! He ‘wept’ C because of unbelief of His followers. As Jesus was victorious over the conflict with satan so we too can be victorious!  May we be mindful of unbelief and eradicate doubt from our minds, and Trust in the Lord with all our heart! Let us maintain our Lenten Discipline as we “remember our Lord Jesus Christ and the Sacrifice He gave for our Salvation.   Loving you, Pastor

“This do in Remembrance of Me!” February 19, 2012

Come worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness!  Today we partake of Holy Communion as we remember our Lord and Saviour!  Let all who Love Him received the emblems of His Grace & Healing.  You are always welcome in our Church family.   

One would think we would be in remembrance of our Lord’s Sacrifice on a daily basis, but alas the ‘cares of this life’ have a tendency to overwhelm us at times or just interrupt the plans that we make concerning our spiritual activities.  Jesus said these powerful Words on the eve of His incarceration and ultimate Sacrifice.  As He gave thanks and brake the Bread with His Disciples at the Last Supper, He said:  “This is My Body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.” There is controversy among spiritual leaders concerning when we should have Communion in our Church Services: Some day once a month, some say every Sunday, some think you must go through a ritual and have a set time to be brought to the Communion table.  Some teach it is so holy that the saints are fearful to partake. On and on go the thoughts of mankind.  But Look at who Jesus brought to the Communion Table. Men of righteous indignation, desiring to call down thunder from heaven, a man with an uncontrollable temperament who would even attempt to chastise the Lord and would deny he knew Jesus, one who would soon betray Him and those who would go into hiding when things got dangerous. These are the followers of Jesus whom He desired to have Communion with, to eat the Passover with before His suffering.  They too like humanity of today, were caught up in the ‘cares of this life.’ Did Jesus say He was going away?  Did He reach out to those who seemed to follow Him so close and invite them to come to a prayer meeting with Him?  Yes in His most desperate hour He brought them with Him to pray.  This is a desperate hour for our country, for Christianity, for the followers of Christ.  We must daily remember Jesus, to the point of take Communion in our home as we begin our day. For He is our strength, our consolation− Let us daily Commune with Him…. Prepare for your Lenten Discipline. Loving you, Pastor