And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
I love this story. Jesus calms the troubled sea. From what we can gather from the Gospels, Jesus is tired at first and finds rest in the back of the boat. Prior to this He has ministered to a multitude of people, displaying His compassion for all of them. Suddenly, a storm comes up and His disciples are afraid, waking him with the question, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (v 38) With three words Jesus speaks stillness to the sea. He then addresses the disciples' fear with two questions: "Why are ye so fearful?" and "How is it that ye have no faith?" (v 40) These remain good questions for all of us who know Jesus and claim to trust Him. Fear results from lack of faith. If you're dealing with fear, ask yourself these questions....then remember that even the wind and the sea obey Him. Demons are subject to Him. You have nothing to fear. Pastor John
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Luke 6:20
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said Blessed be ye poor: For yours is the Kingdom of God.
Here in Luke 6, Jesus begins His teaching on the Beatitudes. Jesus delivers this powerful lesson, part of the "Sermon on the Mount," to His disciples and the multitudes. His Message seems to be: Your status in life has no bearing on your status with God. If you love and obey Christ's teaching, there is a blessing of belonging. You belong to the greatest kingdom there is. You are a citizen of blessed hope in a kingdom of eternal riches this world cannot comprehend. Our wealth in Jesus has no connection with what's in our bank accounts. According to Matthew's account of this sermon, we have "treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through to steal." Jesus makes His promise personal: "Yours is the Kingdom of God." Pastor John
Here in Luke 6, Jesus begins His teaching on the Beatitudes. Jesus delivers this powerful lesson, part of the "Sermon on the Mount," to His disciples and the multitudes. His Message seems to be: Your status in life has no bearing on your status with God. If you love and obey Christ's teaching, there is a blessing of belonging. You belong to the greatest kingdom there is. You are a citizen of blessed hope in a kingdom of eternal riches this world cannot comprehend. Our wealth in Jesus has no connection with what's in our bank accounts. According to Matthew's account of this sermon, we have "treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through to steal." Jesus makes His promise personal: "Yours is the Kingdom of God." Pastor John
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of his heart his mouth speaketh.
These words of Jesus really require little explanation. Our mouths - that is, our words - reveal more about us than we often realize. We need to guard our words and know when to hold our tongues, speaking only good things. Our whole character falls into judgement when we bluntly speak our minds without using discretion in our conversations with others. That is a poor Christian witness, and it could be a stumbling block to people who do not know Christ. I think the lesson here is this: If you have to talk a lot, talk about the blessings and goodness of God. That will certainly keep you out of trouble. Pastor John.
These words of Jesus really require little explanation. Our mouths - that is, our words - reveal more about us than we often realize. We need to guard our words and know when to hold our tongues, speaking only good things. Our whole character falls into judgement when we bluntly speak our minds without using discretion in our conversations with others. That is a poor Christian witness, and it could be a stumbling block to people who do not know Christ. I think the lesson here is this: If you have to talk a lot, talk about the blessings and goodness of God. That will certainly keep you out of trouble. Pastor John.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Luke 4:332
And they were astonished at His doctrine for His word was with power.
Here in Luke 4, after His baptism by John and the wilderness temptation, Jesus sets out to fulfill His earthly ministry. Even though His home town forsakes Him (verses 16-30), He continues on and every other place He goes receives His preaching. The people are moved by His miracles, His casting out of demons, and His words to them. By Luke 4:37, the word of all that Jesus has done reaches "every place of the country round about." The Messiah has come! He is tangible, visible for mankind to see. God has fulfilled th Old Testament prophecies before their very eyes. His Word is as powerful today as it was when He walked the earth. Perhaps He has a mircle for you this year. Expect it, and look for Him to do something dynamic in your life- something that will make you an M.V.P. in His Kingdom.
Pastor John
Here in Luke 4, after His baptism by John and the wilderness temptation, Jesus sets out to fulfill His earthly ministry. Even though His home town forsakes Him (verses 16-30), He continues on and every other place He goes receives His preaching. The people are moved by His miracles, His casting out of demons, and His words to them. By Luke 4:37, the word of all that Jesus has done reaches "every place of the country round about." The Messiah has come! He is tangible, visible for mankind to see. God has fulfilled th Old Testament prophecies before their very eyes. His Word is as powerful today as it was when He walked the earth. Perhaps He has a mircle for you this year. Expect it, and look for Him to do something dynamic in your life- something that will make you an M.V.P. in His Kingdom.
Pastor John
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This verse speaks of God's love and plans for each of us. To be "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" means we are made in Christ's image and we are to take on His Character. Our salvation is the result of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and our own repentance of sins. So, this verse is not only about our lives here on earth, but also about our eternity. God eternally chose us. According to Ephesians 1:3, God "has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." In other words, before God ever created us, He had a plan for our eternal existence in His mind. You and I are not merely a divine afterthought. We are fearfully and wonderfully made to bless God, so that He in turn can bless us beyond what we can imagine. Pastor John
This verse speaks of God's love and plans for each of us. To be "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" means we are made in Christ's image and we are to take on His Character. Our salvation is the result of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and our own repentance of sins. So, this verse is not only about our lives here on earth, but also about our eternity. God eternally chose us. According to Ephesians 1:3, God "has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." In other words, before God ever created us, He had a plan for our eternal existence in His mind. You and I are not merely a divine afterthought. We are fearfully and wonderfully made to bless God, so that He in turn can bless us beyond what we can imagine. Pastor John
Luke 3:32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
This scripture is a continuation of Simeon's earlier words: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people..." As he took the Baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon knew that God had kept His promise to him, to Israel and to the world. He saw salvation in a baby - a person. Salvation is a person, not something that you do. Salvation is the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. You either have Him or you don't have Him. You either trust Him, or you don't trust Him. Do you know Jesus as your Salvation? You can know Him before you leave church today if there's any doubt in your mind. Pastor John
This scripture is a continuation of Simeon's earlier words: "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people..." As he took the Baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon knew that God had kept His promise to him, to Israel and to the world. He saw salvation in a baby - a person. Salvation is a person, not something that you do. Salvation is the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. You either have Him or you don't have Him. You either trust Him, or you don't trust Him. Do you know Jesus as your Salvation? You can know Him before you leave church today if there's any doubt in your mind. Pastor John
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is LIBERTY!
In our first week of the READ Initiative we have seen God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit mentioned in Genesis 1, the first chapter of the bible:
"In the beginning God (the Father).... Genesis 1:1
"...and the Spirit of God (The Holy Spirit) moved..." Genesis 1:2
"And God said, Let us (The Father and the Son) make man in our image..." Genesis 1:26.
God wanted us to see the work of the Trinity from the very beginning. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit were present and working then, throughout the Old and New Testaments, and still today. My prayer is that this year you will pursue God as never before. We will be a dynamic church as we allow the Holy Spirt to revitalize our spirits! Pastor John
In our first week of the READ Initiative we have seen God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit mentioned in Genesis 1, the first chapter of the bible:
"In the beginning God (the Father).... Genesis 1:1
"...and the Spirit of God (The Holy Spirit) moved..." Genesis 1:2
"And God said, Let us (The Father and the Son) make man in our image..." Genesis 1:26.
God wanted us to see the work of the Trinity from the very beginning. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit were present and working then, throughout the Old and New Testaments, and still today. My prayer is that this year you will pursue God as never before. We will be a dynamic church as we allow the Holy Spirt to revitalize our spirits! Pastor John
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