April 9, 2023 . . .

Mark 16:1-8 . . . What a difference a day makes!  A lot can happen in 24 hours.  Joy to sadness, rich to poor, life to death.  But on the morning when three women went to the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ to anoint His body with sweet spices, they did not find what they were expecting.  He was gone!  Instead, they found an angel who explained that He had risen.  The women were afraid and amazed at the same time.  On that day, the world changed.  The deep sorrow they had felt the day before was replaced by a new exciting, but perhaps a little confusing, emotion.  Telling the truth about the resurrection could be dangerous.  But Jesus’ work was not done.  He was seen by over 600 people before He ascended to Heaven.  Some people died because of their testimony that they saw Him.  Some were afraid to tell the truth about the resurrection so they did not say anything.  Friend, the tomb is still empty.  Our job is to tell the truth about Jesus’ resurrection and His soul saving salvation to anyone and everyone who will listen.  The Son has come up and we need to wake up the world!

April 2, 2023 . . .

Reading Luke 19:28-44, we find Jesus telling two of his disciples to go find the colt upon which He will enter the streets of Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday.  If asked, they are to say that the Lord needs it.  Why would a king ride on a donkey?  A donkey is a sign of peace.  A humble way to  enter. As He enters the city, the people lay down their clothes for the animal to walk on.  This is the way that a king is welcomed into a city.  When the Pharisees hear and see this event, they want Jesus to make the shouts of praise go away.  And as He got nearer, He wept at the knowledge of what would eventually happen to Jerusalem one day.  This was the second of two times that we read about Jesus weeping.  Many did not realize that He came to save their souls and they rejected Him.  We have that problem today.  People have different ideas about who or what Jesus is.  The biggest problem we have in our world is sin.  Jesus must be our Savior.  Think about it . . . He was declared King on Sunday, was crucified on Friday, and rose again on the third day.  As believers, we still declare Him our King and our Savior.  Is Jesus Lord of your life and is He your Savior?   He is waiting for you.

March 26, 2023 . . .

As we revisit Isaiah 6:1-13, we find a way to understand our act of worshiping God.  Every time we come to church, we come to worship.  So, let’s take a closer look at how we should worship.  I use the acronym W.O.R.S.H.I.P. to help us remember some important points.  W=Worthship . . . We come to give praise and glory to our God who is worthy of our praise.  We need to be less self-conscious and more God-conscious.  O=Outside . . . Enter to worship, exit to serve, taking our worship outside our church building.  R=Reliance . . . Rely on God when we worship and let Him move us outside the box.  S=Suspense . . . Expect that our

March 19, 2023 . . .

What you do if God suddenly showed up in church one day?  Isaiah 6:1-13 tells of a time when he went into the temple and saw God sitting on a high throne with His train filling the temple.  There were also angels with Him who proclaimed the glory of God.  What would it be like for us if God came to our worship service one day in a similar manner?  Isaiah felt unworthy and most of us might feel the same.  But God immediately cleansed him.  He was looking for someone to carry His message to all those in the land who had forgotten Him.  Materially things were good, but spiritually things were terrible.  Just as it often

March 12, 2023 . . .

Isaiah 1:10-20  tells us about the vision that Isaiah had from the Lord when He tells the sinners of that time to listen to Him because He was no longer going to tolerate their vain worship. God let them know that He had become weary with the way they had turned their worship into worthless acts of empty faith. He details all their mindless acts of sacrifice, feasts, and prayers that had lost all truth. He scolds them and lets them know He will no longer listen to them because of their sinful ways. He gives them a warning that they must change or they will no longer be able to call on Him. And how does this relate to us today? Well, sadly, many who believe themselves to be true and faithful followers of Christ often fall into the same types of behavior when it comes to their worship. It’s not about the church’s programs, big fancy screens and music, or just making sure we are in attendance on Sunday. Everyone comes to church to worship, but who or what are we worshiping? Worship should be with the right attitude. God is with us. We should live the way God wants and prepare for worship knowing we are in His presence . . . His house! If you really look deeply into your daily life and your worship life then you know when you have been less than what God wants you to be. God tells them in Verses 19 and 20 what their choice is. Be willing and obedient or refuse and rebel. Each way has its own outcomes according to God. We have that choice, too. It’s time to reflect on where you are in your walk of true faith and what you may need to do about it.

February 26, 2023 . . .

Read Joshua 14:6-15 where you will find that Joshua fulfills a command given to Moses by the Lord. Caleb, who was from the tribe of Judah, was seeking the land of Canaan which had been promised to Judah. He was granted the land because he had “wholly followed the Lord my God” throughout his life. Even at the age of 85, Caleb was ready and strong enough to finish the job of taking the land from Anakims. Caleb wholly followed God and finished well. You ask, how does this relate to us today?  We are all running the race of life. You can’t change the past, but you can have an influence on your future. As a born-again Christian, your strength comes from your faith. Learn to swim upstream against the ways of the world. Decide who’s side you are on . . . God’s or the world’s. Follow the Lord completely and you will be alright. You may retire from a job but, as a Christian, you can never retire from dealing with the struggles of life. You may spend a lifetime of climbing the mountain. It’s hard to get to the top. But the view will be worth it. When we die, we will stand before God. Caleb knew that God would be with him because he was with God. If you faithfully dedicate your life to follow the Lord, Jesus has promised us our inheritance of Heaven. Where are you in your walk through life . . . in your spiritual race?

February 19, 2023 . . .

“Therefore” is a transition word and Paul uses it three times in the book of Romans to let us know the outcome of living our lives in a Christ-like way. First, in Romans 5:1, Paul tells us that, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  We are justified by our faith and as such are declared not guilty. But remember, God does show His wrath with those who think they are more righteous than others.  Even Jews, God’s chosen, are sinners, (Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”). But everyone has access to God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Second, while everyone will stand in judgement one day, Romans 8:1  reminds us that, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  Sin is real and we have to deal with it in the way Jesus has instructed us.  Third, in Romans 12:1  Peter says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Because we are saved, we should live a certain way as examples of Jesus Christ wherever we go and whatever we do. Three great “Therefores” . . . 1.) Therefore, we are justified, 2.) Therefore, there is no condemnation, and 3.) Therefore, we must be a sacrifice.  “Therefore” is there for a reason.

February 12, 2023 . . .

At the end of I Peter Chapter 5 Verses 8-14, Peter gives a last piece of advice and instruction to the churches. He reminds them that spiritual warfare is real and constant. They need to be sober, vigilant, and watchful for the ways the devil will try to destroy their faith in God and Jesus Christ. There are so many ways in which Satan will try to pull a Christ-follower away from God. He wants to win the battle, but we are under God. We can definitely say that about today’s world as well. We need to submit to God, be serious and alert, resist the devil and stand firm. Peter’s words to the people of his time are still true. He reminds them that after the fight comes the victory. We may suffer for a little while, but after suffering comes glory. God has a purpose for our suffering. He wants to perfect us, establish us, strengthen us, and settle us. You probably would agree that we learn more about ourselves in the hard times when our faith is tested. God is with us. He is building our faith muscles when we are going through difficulties. After the suffering comes the glory. Always remember that our victory comes from God’s grace. He’s got this and will always make you a winner when you stay on His side!

February 5, 2023 . . .

In I Peter 5:1-7 he gives advice and instruction for those who have been called to be leaders in the church. And as important as those words were to the elders of his time, they also have meaning to all of us today in the way we conduct our lives as we lead others to Christ. In John 21:15-16, Jesus told Peter, “Feed my Sheep.” Being an elder in the church puts one in the position of a shepherd to a flock of sheep. We are to be humble, spiritually feeding and caring for those who follow Christ. We should lead willingly, eagerly, and be positive examples but with a sense of humility. As good shepherds, we will receive the reward of a crown of glory and an inheritance that will never fade away. Peter also tells us that we, “the sheep,” should be humble, too. There is no room in God’s kingdom for pride. God will resist the proud and give grace to the humble. As such, God will lift us up in His time. When we humble ourselves, we can fully cast our cares upon God . . . because He cares for us. Jesus Christ is our Shepherd and, YES, the Creator of the Universe cares for you, for me, and for all His people. The Lord is my Shepherd! (Psalm 23)

January 29, 2023 . . .

Suffering is not something that anyone looks forward to, but it happened in first century A.D. and it happens today. In I Peter 4:12-19, the apostle Peter continues to teach the Christians that were scattered abroad. Previously, in Verses 7-11, he explained how to serve. Now, in Verses 12-19, he explains the type of suffering that will ultimately come as a result of their faith and ministry. Nero had plans to persecute the Christians, blaming them for the burning of Rome. Does that sound a lot like our world today? Knowing what was coming, Peter tells the believers how to deal with this impending situation in a Godly fashion and it applies to us today. First, we should EXPECT suffering and not be surprised, maintaining a right attitude. Second, we can REJOICE if we are persecuted for Christ. To suffer for Christ is to suffer with Christ. We will share in the glory of God for our suffering. And, third, REFLECT. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed. The spirit and glory of God will rest upon you. It is better to suffer for doing God’s work than for doing sinful works. God’s judgement will come to the Christians first. We will be tested for our faith. Suffering for Christ purifies us.  Imagine what judgement will be like for those who have chosen to turn away from God. Commit your soul to God today and live according to our faithful Creator’s will.