December 3, 2023 . . .

When we think of Christmas, we typically go back over the story of the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem as we are told in the books of Matthew and Luke. But the story actually begins in Chapter 1 of Genesis. There was a plan long before Jesus’s birth. In Ephesians 1:3-5 we read that from “before the foundation of the world” God planned for Jesus to come into the world for our redemption. And, although in several verses of Genesis Chapter 1 God says that the world He created “was good” he already had a plan for our redemption. From the first sin in the garden, God knew we would need a savior. From that first sin, man could not get to God on his own, so God came to man as Jesus Christ. So, as you celebrate this season of birth, try to remember that God’s plan has always included a way for us to come back to Him. Have you met Jesus Christ? He is calling you through the words written in the Bible. Will you answer?

November 19, 2023 . . .

What do you look forward to? Do you anticipate Christ’s return? Read I John 2:28-3:3 in which he tells us that we need to abide in Jesus Christ, meaning that we need to LIVE in Christ. And he uses the word NOW to emphasize the urgency of doing so. We should not be ashamed to be Christ followers. If we truly believe in Christ then we are given His righteousness and should have confidence in our eternal home. God loves us (John 3:16) and that love is limitless. Every Christ follower has this hope. Christ will return. We do not know when but we must be ready. Like a thief in the night, we cannot know when, but we need to work toward perfection with the help of the Holy Spirit. There are three things we need to do. 1) Abide in Jesus Christ, 2) Walk with Him, and 3) Have hope in Jesus Christ. Yes, there is a great day coming. Are you ready?

November 12, 2023 . . .

We all face hard times in life at one time or another. And when we do, we can always find some comfort in the Bible. One example is Psalm 23. In this song of David, we are reminded that the Lord is our shepherd. We are like sheep needing care, love, and guidance. We find these things in the Lord. He helps us rest, He restores our soul, and He leads us in the right way. Do we follow? As Christ-followers, we stand up for the name of God. While it feels like we may sometimes be in a valley of hardship, God sees us through. He is with us in times of trouble with His rod and staff to protect us. He prepares us and gives us hope. He anoints us and sets us apart, sanctifying us. Our cups overflows with His grace and blessings. We can rest assured that goodness and mercy will be ours and that we will eventually dwell with God and Jesus Christ for eternity. Fact is, God will fight our battles in life. Will you let Him in to fight them for you?

November 5, 2023 . . .

A strong foundation is important in everything you build. Without it, what you are building will likely fail. Reading I John 2:15-29. Our Christian foundation is built on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. John reminds us that we can get tripped up when we lose sight of that. We often get more focused on the things of the world rather than Christ. John tells us we are in the last times and we will know it because of the many antichrists that will come. They will deny Christ and will lie to us with false teachings and false doctrines. They will deceive us and seduce us. Jesus is real and was raised from the dead, fully God and man. The Holy Spirit anoints you as a true believer. Let the truth abide in you and accept the promise of eternal life. We should abide in Jesus Christ and not be ashamed. He is coming. Is your foundation ready?

October 29, 2023 . . .

Who or what has your heart? Where is it? Read I John 2:15-17 where we are reminded that we should not love the world nor the things in the world. So, just what is the “world”? It’s NOT the earth. The sphere of sin is the world. We are supposed to love each other. The realm of Satan is the world of sin which includes the lust of the flesh, the eyes, life, and pride. These things can come at different times of our life. We tend to consider one sin more serious than another. God blesses us so that we can bless others. Verse 17 tells us that the world will end but by following God’s will you will live forever. That sounds like a great way to live. And perhaps, as in Matthew 25:21, we will hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

October 22, 2023 . . .

In I John 2:12-14 we are given three stages of Christian growth. Sanctification is recognizing that our redemption has been accomplished by Christ and that the power of the Holy Spirit makes it real in our lives. The three groups addressed are little children, young men, and fathers. This does not pertain to actual age. It reflects the stages of growth as a Christian. The church needs all three. Little children are those who have their first encounter with Jesus, the Bible, and know that they have been adopted into God’s family. Young men are those who understand that they can fight evil through Christ and that they are becoming stronger as believers, but are not yet in the “father” stage. Fathers are those who have reached the highest stage of their Christian life, have known Christ from the beginning, and who have fought the fight with Jesus as their strength. We are all fighting the ways of the world. But Jesus has already won this battle against evil. He told us to “take up your cross daily and follow me.” We must say “No” to the world and “Yes” to God through our journey in life as Christians. Questions to ask yourself . . . Am I growing? What stage of growth am I in?

October 15, 2023 . . .

Chapters 1-8 in the book of Romans provides Christians with doctrine that should be followed, and particularly Chapter 8. Today, we are focused on Romans 8:31-39. Like a potter, God has molded us, called us, justified us, and glorified us. In verse 31 of chapter 8, we are told, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Christ’s love helps us overcome adversities. God gave His son for us. God justifies us and what God declares righteous no man can undo. Good works do not save us. Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished,” meaning that He has interceded for us. We are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Whatever I need, the love of Christ will provide. He is the overcomer. Nothing can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. Lay your sins at the cross. Only Jesus Christ can save you! God predestined us to be like Jesus Christ. Indeed . . . Jesus loves me, this I know!

What Time Is It?

October 8, 2023 . . .

It’s high time to wake up!! Romans 13:11-14 should be a wake-up call for everyone. It’s about the age we are living in right now; the last days, we are at the end. There are many examples of how bad things can happen when one is sleeping. America is spiritually asleep. Are you? The return of Jesus is nearer now than ever before. Night is almost over and day is at hand. It is time to wake up, walk with Jesus Christ, and wear the armour of Jesus Christ. Don’t make plans to sin. Make provision to put on Jesus and serve the Lord. The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus. Stop trying to do it on your own power. You need help through the power of Jesus Christ. That’s what time it is!

October 1, 2023 . . .

In II Kings 5:1-14, we find that a mighty warrior of Syria, Naaman, was seeking to be cured of his leprosy. The king of Syria sent him to king of Israel to be healed, but this angered the king of Israel. So, the prophet Elisha said, “Bring him to me.” Naaman was offended when Elisha told him to go wash seven times in the Jordan River, (he thought any river would do) but his servants convinced him to do it. When he did, his skin became clean and clear as a child’s. As a result, Naaman accepted the God of Israel as the one true God. This world has a sin problem. How do we remove this problem? Be more like Jesus. Just going to church does not fix the sin problem or guarantee a place in heaven. Man cannot save himself. The only cure is Jesus Christ, our sacrificial lamb. He took our sin and gave us righteousness. Being a Christian is not about what we do but is about what Jesus has done. Trusting and resting on the finished work of Jesus Christ . . . That’s what God wants you to do.

September 24, 2023 . . .

In Luke 19:1-10 we are told about the time when Jesus was the company and Zacchaeus was the host, but he did not know he would have a visitor at his house until Jesus spoke to him while he sat in a tree trying to get a better view as Jesus walked through the streets of Jerico. Everyone in the area knew Zacchaeus was a short man, a tax collector, and a rich man and they looked down on him. Yet on that day, he was curious to see this person named Jesus. Not everyone today is looking for Jesus. Do you want to get to know Jesus better? Don’t let your stuff keep you from learning more about this man was call our Savior. He came to seek the lost and He wants us to follow Him by also seeking the lost and leading them to Him. That is our mission. None of us are perfect, but the change in the way you live your life when you trust Jesus as your personal savior can help you understand what this salvation is all about. Jesus knows you . . . do you know Him?