New Beginnings Church of Astoria

Bethlehem in Christ's time was a small, downtrodden city, having lost its former prominence years ago. Yet it is there that Christ chose to enter the world and become a man. To those who are broken, crushed, have lost it all, it is them who find joy in the events at Bethlehem. Something good came to Bethlehem, and something good is coming to you if you open your eyes to see.

Bread is the very sustenance of life, the most basic food. Jesus said He was the bread of life, the very one who sustains us. He took the bread, He blessed the Bread, He broke the bread, He gave thanks. In these steps of His lie the very essence of His work and what it means to us.

In His dialogue with the Samaritan woman, Jesus told her there would be a time when we will worship in Spirit and in Truth. Worshiping in Truth is to more than in sincerity and from the heart. It is based on Christ and His finished work at the Cross, and leads you into the very presence of Almighty God.

Jesus speaks of a new worship, a worship in Spirit and in Truth. Not about dead religious rites and ceremonies, but about a vibrant worship arising to God, a worship in Spirit, regardless of places, times and ceremonies.

In Ezekiel 47 a Messenger shows Ezekiel the future temple and river that flows from the Holy Place down to the dead sea. Ezekiel finds himself walking in the river from the ankles until he winds up immersed in the river. Today, God wants us to not just walk in the Spirit, but to be immersed totally in the Holy Spirit, that like the river, life will flow to everything in us.

While watching the procession at the celebration of a Jewish feast, Jesus stands up to issue an invitation that is open to us today. To those who are worn out, stressed out, feeling empty, having a longing for something deeper, something holier, then this plea from Jesus is for you today.

In so many scriptures we are told that Jesus is Lord. We are well acquainted with Him being Savior but what does it mean that He is Lord? What does it mean for born again Christian believers that He is Lord of all, including their lives? The answer will revolutionize our lives the way it did the Apostle Paul's.

The Apostle Paul and his company were forbidden by the Holy Spirit from entering an area and not permitted to go into another. What do you do when God does not permit or blocks you from that which you desire? Like Paul, we will learn that what the Lord has for us is often better than what He did not permit. Even better than receiving the promise is the relationship with the Promisemaker.

In Biblical days, the shepherds anointed the sheep with oil before they led them out to pasture. The oil was soothing, healing, and comforting to the sheep. The Lord Jesus, our Great Shepherd, anoints those who belong to Him with the Holy Spirit to bring peace at all times, even in times of trouble.

In Isaiah 49 God makes a promise to the nation of Israel during their difficult times. Not long after, Israel proclaimed themselves forsaken and forgotten y God. What is it in us that makes us so quick to deny the promises of God and lose faith in His plan for us? The Lord's response to their unbelief is instructive us to do who wait on God, enduring trial after trial and affliction upon affliction, clinging to His promises.