Pastor's Points

"4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" Phil 4:4-7 (NKJV) Is laughter the best medicine? Actually the jury is still out but there is research that supports the idea. It's actually more beneficial if it's the product of a good attitude and positive self-esteem. Paul seems to be advising that we rejoice with abandon. Do you suppose that if we rejoice as such we'll break out in bouts of hearty laughter? A sincere and "full on" relationship produces positive attitudes and self-esteem which brings us joy (often resulting and pleasant permanent smiles) positioning us break out in laughter. Try it, you'll find that those with utter peace, love and joy very often break out in laughter. Our joy comes from the knowledge that despite all the world and life throws at us; we're OK because God is in us and we're in Him.

Do you value and love your salvation; i.e. your relationship with Christ? Yes? Do you value the souls of your family and friends? Yes? As much as the Apostle Paul? "2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.  3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh," Romans 9:2-3 (NKJV) So convinced of the Gospel and the need for mankind to come to Jesus was Paul was willing to surrender his own salvation, if it were possible, if it would extend salvation his fellowman. Do you value salvation enough to share it with your loved ones?

Ever notice that for the most part human love is highly conditional? That is we tend to "fall in love" with people or things that love us in return, have opened their hearts to us , bring us joy, somehow "complete us" and so on. When conditions change however; we also to tend to "fall out" of love and sadly what we once loved we may now abhor. This is not the case with the love of God. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NKJV) God loves and has loved us at our worst; while we were still sin stained and lost. He offers salvation to save us; not to love us but strangely; to love us more and bless us. As believers it is incumbent we learn to love as God loves.