And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1
Ten days before the Day of Pentecost, the Disciples were instructed by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4). On Pentecost, their wait is over. The promise of the Holy Spirit baptism is fulfilled. I've always been amazed by the immediate change that comes over Peter and the others. This change brings power, knowledge, anointing and boldness to these once simple, ordinary men. They become world-changers and difference-makers. The outpouring experience is something they'd never witnessed before. What a day Pentecost turns out to be! God, with perfect timing, rains down His Sprit while people from all over the known word are in Jerusalem to commemorate the occasion when God gave His law at Sinai. Now they witness God giving His Spirit to the Church. As it turns out, Pentecost will be a life-changing day for 3,000 others as well. My prayer is for a Holy Spirit outpouring today like the one those in the upper room experienced then. Pastor John
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
John 21:12
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
Anyone who has been on an all-night fishing trip won't turn down an invitation to a free breakfast...Isn't this so like Jesus? He prepares food for the hungry disciples after another amazing miracle - a great catch of big fish. With all that Jesus still had to teach His followers, He finds time to fellowship with them. In John 21 Jesus displays a motherly type of love to bless these men. I remember my mother, aunts, and grandmother cooking up fresh fish, hushpuppies, grits and more for my dad, grandfather, uncles, cousins and me when we'd get back in the middle of the night after mullet fishing. I was just a kid, but those times are still vivid in my memory. I realize now that we guys often took advantage of their middle of the night sacrifices. Looking back, I see that my male relatives and I were blessed to have so many wonderful moms in our family. Moments like these are just some of the reasons moms are so special. May God bless our moms! Pastor John
Anyone who has been on an all-night fishing trip won't turn down an invitation to a free breakfast...Isn't this so like Jesus? He prepares food for the hungry disciples after another amazing miracle - a great catch of big fish. With all that Jesus still had to teach His followers, He finds time to fellowship with them. In John 21 Jesus displays a motherly type of love to bless these men. I remember my mother, aunts, and grandmother cooking up fresh fish, hushpuppies, grits and more for my dad, grandfather, uncles, cousins and me when we'd get back in the middle of the night after mullet fishing. I was just a kid, but those times are still vivid in my memory. I realize now that we guys often took advantage of their middle of the night sacrifices. Looking back, I see that my male relatives and I were blessed to have so many wonderful moms in our family. Moments like these are just some of the reasons moms are so special. May God bless our moms! Pastor John
John 20:19
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
We know about the miracles Jesus performed and the power over Satan that He demonstrated in front of His disciples. Having this knowledge, it's easy to be critical of the disciples. Here they are hiding in fear. They are afraid the religious leaders or the Romans will arrest them or even crucify them. They may even be doubtful of the news that Jesus is risen. Yet, Jesus seeks them out because He loved them and understands their emotional strain. Twice in John 20 He tells them "Peace be with you." Doubt leads to fear, and fear leads to hiding. Though these apostles are having a time of doubt and fear, in just a few weeks they will be changed. They will become bold. They will become mighty men of God! Jesus' presence inspires them and removes their doubt. They will come out of hiding and preach the good news that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They will plant the Church of Jesus Christ in the midst of the enemy's stronghold. They will give their lives for the "Living Truth" that delivered them from their fears. This same victory and peace is ours today. Do not fear. Do not hide. Jesus has not changed. Pastor John
We know about the miracles Jesus performed and the power over Satan that He demonstrated in front of His disciples. Having this knowledge, it's easy to be critical of the disciples. Here they are hiding in fear. They are afraid the religious leaders or the Romans will arrest them or even crucify them. They may even be doubtful of the news that Jesus is risen. Yet, Jesus seeks them out because He loved them and understands their emotional strain. Twice in John 20 He tells them "Peace be with you." Doubt leads to fear, and fear leads to hiding. Though these apostles are having a time of doubt and fear, in just a few weeks they will be changed. They will become bold. They will become mighty men of God! Jesus' presence inspires them and removes their doubt. They will come out of hiding and preach the good news that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They will plant the Church of Jesus Christ in the midst of the enemy's stronghold. They will give their lives for the "Living Truth" that delivered them from their fears. This same victory and peace is ours today. Do not fear. Do not hide. Jesus has not changed. Pastor John
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Luke 24:32
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? Luke 24:32
These words were spoken by the disciples Jesus talked with on the road to Emmaus. Those two men had the privilege of hearing the incarnate Word explain the written Word - the Risen Christ revealed the truths of the Holy Scriptures. In doing this, Jesus gave them a great key to the understanding of scripture: He, Himself, is its subject and in Him the entire Book finds its unity. Jesus is the "Living Word" as John tells us in his gospel (1:14), "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." God's Word is still the key to knowledge, love and peace. I hope we all can say, like the disciples on the Emmaus Road, that His words still burn within our hearts. Pastor John
These words were spoken by the disciples Jesus talked with on the road to Emmaus. Those two men had the privilege of hearing the incarnate Word explain the written Word - the Risen Christ revealed the truths of the Holy Scriptures. In doing this, Jesus gave them a great key to the understanding of scripture: He, Himself, is its subject and in Him the entire Book finds its unity. Jesus is the "Living Word" as John tells us in his gospel (1:14), "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." God's Word is still the key to knowledge, love and peace. I hope we all can say, like the disciples on the Emmaus Road, that His words still burn within our hearts. Pastor John
John 20:28 and 29
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:28,29
Our sense of sight is a wonderful gift from God, and one of our most essential senses. When we see something, we can tell that it is real. Faith, however, sees things that we cannot see with our eyes. Faith sees around corners and beyond the next hill. Having "eyes of faith" is even more essential than our physical vision. It seems in John 20 that Thomas is going through a rough stage of his life. He is, with good reason, shaken by the events he's experienced in the previous three days. What he's heard- but cannot see- causes his momentary lapse of faith. Jesus knows this and appears for Thomas's benefit, so he can see with his eyes. Still. Jesus commends people like us for beleiving in Him without seeing Him. Let's keep believing even though we cannot see Him! Believe He is God. Believe He is our Savior. Believe He is coming again. Pastor John
Our sense of sight is a wonderful gift from God, and one of our most essential senses. When we see something, we can tell that it is real. Faith, however, sees things that we cannot see with our eyes. Faith sees around corners and beyond the next hill. Having "eyes of faith" is even more essential than our physical vision. It seems in John 20 that Thomas is going through a rough stage of his life. He is, with good reason, shaken by the events he's experienced in the previous three days. What he's heard- but cannot see- causes his momentary lapse of faith. Jesus knows this and appears for Thomas's benefit, so he can see with his eyes. Still. Jesus commends people like us for beleiving in Him without seeing Him. Let's keep believing even though we cannot see Him! Believe He is God. Believe He is our Savior. Believe He is coming again. Pastor John
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
It's been said that a church with no youth is a church with no future. This is true, and that's why I praise God for our young people and their leaders. Our Youth Board is comprised of men and women who are visionaries, always planning exciting and relevant events for our youth. Let's support they with continued appreciation and encouragement. Pastor John
It's been said that a church with no youth is a church with no future. This is true, and that's why I praise God for our young people and their leaders. Our Youth Board is comprised of men and women who are visionaries, always planning exciting and relevant events for our youth. Let's support they with continued appreciation and encouragement. Pastor John
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