Bakersfield First Assembly

The Lord says "Do not be afraid, for I will be with you; I will bless you." We are not to be afraid in life for our God is with us always. Even death will not separate us from God. He is with us always and will bless us and increase our number. Our children will be blessed if they too follow God's Word. God has made a covenant with us through His Word. As we live our lives and follow the covenant of our God, we and our children, and our children's children will be blessed.

Easter is about redemption. Jesus Christ, The Son of God, died on a cross in payment for our sins. Mary Magdalene was a sinful woman and was possessed by seven demons. Jesus cured her and forgave her sins. She was a different person after that. She was so thankful that she followed him and gave of her monetary means to help fund Jesus' mission on earth to heal, win souls and forgive sins. Mary was at Jesus' crucifixion, at His death, and at the tomb after His resurrection. Mary was a steadfast follower of Jesus and so thankful for His healing and forgiveness; for her redemption.

The Lord "needs" us to accomplish His Purpose. Therefore we must release to the Lord all that He asks of us. After all, everything and every one belongs to the Lord. He created everything and everything belongs to Him. But, the Lord gives back what we have given to Him, in time and in abundance. The Lord takes whatever we give and uses it for His glory.

There are disputes in our lives. Isaac had many disputes over wells with the Philistines. They wanted what he had. Instead of fighting with them, Isaac just moved on until he was far enough away so no one would dispute over wells and the life giving water they offered. Isaac was a patient man and his heart followed what God wanted for him. Sure there would be trouble. Life, even with God leading, is not always easy. But shy away from disputes and opposition and just stay on the path God has set for your life. Remain steadfast in God and He will lead you to green pastures and calm waters. Continue to work out your salvation in fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

May God Himself, The God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) Envy is the desire for what others have, and the discontentment with what we have. Envy stifles the well-being of our own soul and eventually results in rejection. Do not envy! It will rot your mind, soul and body. Instead celebrate life and take joy in what the Lord has given you. Know that soon you will be in paradise with our Lord Jesus. So do not envy.

"Take, eat this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) If you want salvation from our Lord, receive and take the bread and the cup with gladness.

"And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people." The sign of the Spirit will bring back our sons and daughters. Our God wants all who bear His name, those whom He created for His glory. Yes, God made each one, He created each one for His glory. So don't be afraid. There will be signs in the sky and heavenly bodies will be shaken. The Son of Man will be seen in the sky, coming on the clouds of the sky with great power and great glory. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Believe!!

Rend your heart and return to the Lord. Return with all your hearts. Humble ourselves. Grieve our sin with godly sorrow. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Turn back to God, repent, ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive because He is gracious, compassionate, slow to become angry, abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. He will turn and show pity to us. He will even leave a blessing upon us. Turn to the Lord and be forgiven. He will bless us

If we truly aspire to become united as one, then we must fix our focus on Jesus. Jesus teaches us that we must make room in our lives for one another, commit to pray for and encourage one another, and gather to worship together despite our differences. The only way we will accomplish what God wants is if we do it together with God leading the way.