Pastor's Points

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) Often when we fail we're tempted to just give up and declare serving God as too taxing and difficult. Let's all be aware that our failures don't surprise God as He knows all things. Because He does, He's prepared to help us deal with our shortcomings. If we'll admit our sin and repent, He's prepared not only to forgive but to cleanse us from the stain of sin and equip us to avoid a reoccurrence. God is all loving and all redeeming if we're willing to ask His forgiveness.

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away" 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:63-69 (NKJV) Ever wonder why some church members seem to fade and fall away from church attendance and service? There can be various reasons but often some do so because there was never a true commitment to Christ to begin with. We can make excuses for them or us but true commitment cannot be faked for very long. John put it this way: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they have been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.  1 John 2:19 (NKJV) Are you standing by He who has "the words of eternal life"?

6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard , "Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?" 8 But he answered and says to him, "Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down." Luke 13:6-9 (NKJV) It has been said that our God is a god of "second chances" and indeed He is! We sinned in disobedience to Him and yet He founded a way for us to be redeemed and return to Him. Jesus, God's Son is our only hope of salvation. Like the vineyard caretaker in Jesus' parable the Holy Spirit works to cultivate your heart that the seed of the Gospel find fertile ground in which to germinate that you may be born again into the Kingdom of God. P

42 And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.  Luke 12:42-44 (NKJV) Character; what's yours?  One of Webster's Dictionary definitions for human character is: "one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual". So again, what's your character? One practical definition is to do that which is right, honest and just; even when no one is watching. Could this be what Jesus was getting to in the verses above? Yes, Jesus is coming but He's also watching over us and I believe wants us to do that which is right, just and honest. Let's all be about our Father's business until Jesus comes.