Pastor's Points

Perhaps the greatest fallacy the devil has contrived and embedded in the hearts and minds of men is that our God is a vengeful being seeking any and every opportunity to condemn and destroy his greatest creation. Nothing, nothing can be further from the reality of all. The Lord God Jehovah ia a patient, just and loving God who seeks only the redemption and justification of mankind.  Three short verses make this abundantly clear. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sen not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned; be he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  John 3:16-18 KJV

  "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matt 27:46 (NKJV) Sadder even than Jesus actually dying are His last words. Never before had He known what is was to not have intimate fellowship with His Father and at this point; when the sins of all humanity were laid on Him, His Father could not look upon him because Jesus had just become sin. His anguished cry is uttered from the very depths of His soul! Sin, my friend, separates us from God and if not removed by washing in the blood of Jesus will someday drag you to a devil's hell. By faith in Jesus and in His atoning sacrifice you too can repair the rift between you and God and be saved. Come to Jesus today and be born again.

"And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly."  Matt 26:73-75 (NKJV) What a sad situation! Peter has just publicly denied even knowing Jesus before those in High Priest's courtyard. We can criticize, even condemn Peter's actions but before doing so we must look at our own personal testimony. Is it possible we too may deny knowing Jesus? Yes, I too hate to admit but so must you. When we refuse to publicly submit to His Lordship by being a faithful ambassador of Christ. When our language is impure, when we start and/or spread gossip, when we... well, you get the message. 

" 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7 (NKJV) Living by faith involves focusing on who God is His ability to empower, enable, provide and protect us in whatever the circumstance may be. Paul advises we worry for and about nothing but to make petitions known to God through prayer and supplication. Explicit deep trust in God will always result in a godly peace of which we are incapable of explaining but capable of receiving and enjoying. Focus your faith on Jesus today and enjoy your life's adventure.

"For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil 3:20 (NKJV) Ever been to a foreign country and observed different and even unique customs? Have you been in the company of a foreigner to your country and noticed how they differ in so many ways. We too seem unique to others! God's People, those saved by grace through faith in Christ often seem odd at times to the unbeliever; and that's good! We are different because our very nature has been changed from that of a sinful rebel who does not acknowledge God to one whose world revolves around our Lord. We're different because while we may be residents we're no longer citizens of this world. Our citizenship is in Heaven where Jesus has built a place to live with Him forever.