Your Great Name

“What a day that will be when we get to see face to face the One who gave it all, our Jesus. The bible says that Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross! For this reason, God exalted Him and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)

And today we say: The Lost are saved…at the sound of Your great Name.

The power of sin is broken, captives are freed, darkness is defeated and the enemy has to leave…at the sound of Your great Name.

Fear has no place, broken hearts are mended, the weak are made strong…at the sound of your great Name.

There is hope, peace, mercy, joy, grace, strength, deliverance, comfort, healing, freedom and salvation…at the sound of Your great Name. He is worthy!” Gary Rhodes (Your Great Name)

There is power in a name. None, however, more powerful than the Great Name of Jesus. Each time we gather to worship, it is our desire and our honor to lift up the Name of Jesus. Today, Palm Sunday we do so through the gift of music.

As the choir sings, as scriptures are read, I encourage each of you to join in with us. Listen, reflect, pray and respond in joyful participation as we present and magnify the Great Name of Jesus.

On the very first Palm Sunday, many shouted praises, but just a few short hours later those shouts of praise turned into a call for execution, all because Jesus did not meet the expectations of some. Where are you today? Has God seemingly been silent in your journey? Does Jesus seem a million miles away from your situation?

My friend, not only is He present today, He is here to meet you where you are and to show you His love and grace and to extend to you forgiveness for your sins and offer you an eternal relationship with Him. If you are His child today, join in the celebration of His Great Name. If you have yet to give you heart to Him, come to Him in humility and confess that you’ve missed the mark so far in life and desire to accept his forgiveness for your sins. May today be a wonderful celebratory worship event that includes thanksgiving because you have been made new through the Power majesty of His Great Name.

God is Awesome!

Take a moment and think of the wealthiest person that you know. Think of the vast amount of material things that they may have. Clothes, cars, houses, friends, family and money are just a few things they may have accumulated. What do you think they would do if they lost one car? They would just go and buy another one. No problem, they can afford it, they’d probably either have it fixed of sell it and start from scratch with another one. What if a friend or say a family member disappointed them, squandered their money, or even tried to take their life because of a deep hatred for them? I would say that most people you know with that type of situation would want to surround themselves with those who did love them, those they could trust and those who did not bring them such heartache. They would cut their losses, even if it hurt and move on.

God has the universe. He also has tens of thousands of children; thousands who have willing died for Him in order to honor His Name and bring Him glory. Some enduring incredible pain and loss in order to be obedient and not cause Him pain. The Universe is at His feet.

Spending time dealing with an ungrateful, thoughtless, disobedient, reckless child is not something that He needs to do or that he would owe to anyone. More than that, what if this person giving all of this trouble and heartache were not even His child? Remember, I said, God is Awesome. Well here’s one reason why. With all that God has, He looks and sees a wandering sinner who is not even His child and has no interest in Him and actively pursues him or her. God leaves the comfort of the love and warmth of all His creation worshipping Him and pursues the one sinner who is running in the other direction. God is awesome because while I was yet a sinner, while you were yet a sinner, He sent Christ to die for us.

(Romans 5:6-8) He is awesome because He did not passively wait for us to come to Him, rather He actively, passionately sought us out as we ran the other way and hid from His face. God is awesome because He is not willing that you or I should perish. Do you know Him today? If not, my friend, please know that He is calling you by name, “come home!” If you do know Him today, take a moment in the midst of your worship and say, “Thank you!”

Pastor MJ

Falling at His Feet

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me,

"Do not do it… Worship God!” (Rev 19:10 NIV)

As John was caught up with what he was seeing in heaven he was so overcome with the culture of praise and worship and being in the presence of the Almighty that he began to worship the messenger of God rather than the God of the message. The angel reminded him that there is only one who is worthy to be worshipped and that is God Almighty! We are created to be worshippers. Every created being is made with the ability and the drive to worship, to give worth to something, someone higher than themselves.

The problem comes when the object of our worship is wrong. Since the beginning of time people have been worshipping “out of focus”. This happens when we see incredible things coming from something that has been created and we become so focused on the beauty, the talent, the power, the love, the comfort, or the provision that we forget where those things ultimately originated from.

Lest we think that only those who worship trees, the sun, feet, or animals are the only ones off course, consider some of the things even many Christians can fall into the trap of worshipping and by doing so, ascribe more worth to the creation than to the Creator:

Financial stability – instead of worshipping the One who provides.

A loved one – instead of worshipping the One

who brought the loved one into our lives.

A sports hero – instead of worshipping the one

who gave them their talents and abilities.

The tools of worship – instead of worshipping the
Object of our worship.

Physical beauty – instead of worshipping the One

who fashioned the beautiful one.

God is the only One worthy to receive our worship. Today, ask the Lord to reveal in your life where this may be true. Is it your finances, your family or even your religion? Talk to Him about it today and make the journey back to the place where He receives the worship that He is worthy of. Be sure to thank Him for the gift, but never allow your thankfulness for the gift to get in the way of your worship of the Giver.

Pastor MJ

Fear

From the time we are children, there are many things that cause us fear. I remember being in the house on a dark stormy evening with the winds howling, the thunder clapping and the lightening flashing. I would often run to my parent’s room where I felt safe. Fear came in many forms, people, neighborhoods, movies, the unknown, dentists (sorry Dr. Brad), needles, etc. However, in all of those situations, home was a place of refuge; my parents and the reality of their presence gave a sense of safety that no matter what came my way, knowing that they were there, in a sense, made everything okay.

There was another aspect of fear, however, that was coupled with sense of safety. I had a healthy “fear” of my parents. I knew the rules and boundaries of what it meant to be a Jones and stepping out of those boundaries and the consequences of doing so put a healthy sense of fear into me. (along with the spankings) That fear was not me being afraid of my parents, it was a biblical foundation that was laid from birth that set parameters around me that unveiled the conviction of the Holy Spirit in my life when I thought or acted in the direction that went contrary to what the Bible teaches.

So, fear was in essence a comfort and a protector.

I have found that to be the case in my walk with the Lord, over the years. When I have been afraid I have been able to say like the Psalmist, in Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” God provides refuge and safety from the things that cause my heart to fear.

However, along with running to God with our fears, we are also to, fear Him. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 Fearing God is healthy. Realizing His power, sovereignty and power; Realizing that as Scripture tells us: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 Fearing God is a good thing. It is a protection, a comfort, a guide.

This week I had some fears that I was faced with, and this was and is a reminder to me that the One to whom I run to for comfort from my fears is the same One who I should desire to please with my response to fearful situations realizing that He is in control and Sovereign over all.

Accept the Will of God

“To accept the will of God never leads to the miserable feeling

that it is useless to strive anymore.

God does not ask for the dull, weak, sleepy acquiescence of indolence.

He asks for something vivid and strong.

He asks us to cooperate with him, actively willing what he wills,

our only aim his glory. (Amy Carmichael)

Do you ever feel like it’s really difficult to follow the Lord’s commands? I mean on a daily basis. Think about the things that God gives us as instructions as how to live the lives that He has for us. He tells us not to worry. He tells us to trust him completely. He tells us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls and strength. He tells us to love our neighbors as our selves. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will care for it self. He tells us to trust Him completely and in doing so be led by Him down His path for our lives. He tells us not to fear but that He will take care of our every need. He tells us that if our ways please Him that He will make even our enemies be at peace with us. He tells us that if we train up our children His way that when they are old they will not depart from it. There are hundreds of other things that the Lord tells us to do that provide for us the way to experience life at it’s full. Do we take Him at His word?

Out of the many things that our God tells us to do in order to have the life that He’s created us for, there are other things that He tells us not to do in order to receive the same. It’s been that way since the beginning. Adam and Eve were told to do many things, but one thing that they were told not to do, they did and it changed history forever and the penalty was severe. How would things be different if they had only obeyed? Remember Achan in Joshua 7. Earlier he had been told not to keep the things devoted to the Lord, but he did it anyway. God was not pleased and Achan and all he had was destroyed. If only he had obeyed and waited. We see in chapter 8 that all Achan desired, worldly treasures, were already in God’s plan to give him, but due to his lack of trust, expressed through disobedience he never got to partake of God’s bounty.

How many things have we, will we miss out on that God has planned for us because of our impatience, fear, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc. all which when boiled down equal lack of trust. Father is not one who gives commands just for the sake of giving them, he does so with a much bigger picture in mind. Obedience opens the door to multiplied blessings that He is waiting to give to those who take the “risk” to trust in Him with all their hearts with the aim to bring Him honor and glory.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Pastor MJ

PAID IN FULL

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

One of the biggest financial “chains” that a person can have on them is a mortgage. Although, for many financial gurus a mortgage falls into the category of “good-debt”, it is something that holds many in bondage. Just think, you have to make a payment to a company every month for at least 15 years and for most 30 years. To top that, many people refinance and or take on second mortgages. For some, the day of sending in the last payment for their mortgage materializes only in a dream.

Imagine this, you wake up tomorrow morning and you get an email, from a very credible source informing you that your entire mortgage has been PAID IN FULL. And not only that, but if you decide that you want to move, every subsequent home that you live in will be mortgage free. Well, beside the hour that you spend ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing), what if you found out that this was a serious email and that your mortgage debts were from this day forth PAID IN FULL. What would you do?

What would you think of a person who after finding this out, month after month still sent in a payment towards their mortgage? They have the deed in hand, but regardless they still send in the payment. Sound crazy? Why would someone do this?

There are several reasons; Fear-they may be thinking, “I can’t believe this. This is just too big. What if someone is just really messing around with me and I get caught down the road in the biggest scheme of all history?” Maybe it’s Doubt. They might be thinking, “Did this benefactor’s check really clear? What if they changed their mind? Did they really mean the whole mortgage?” For some it might be Guilt. They may be burdened with the thoughts that there is no way that they could ever deserve this kind of blessing; they’ve been late and or missed too many payments. And yet for some, it could be Ignorance, because they never check their email and for years, they’ve missed the message that their debt has been PAID IN FULL.

Sound like a wild story? It’s not really. Jesus Christ has paid an even bigger debt for you and for me. He wrote it in a book filled with many letters describing in many different ways that your sin debt is PAID IN FULL. But for many, fear caused by disbelief, doubt wondering how could this be, guilt weighed down by the past and or ignorance due to just not listening have caused them to continue to work for their “Salvation”. As you worship today, be thankful that “He paid a debt He did not owe for a debt that you and I could never pay.” It is PAID IN FULL! Live and worship Him in the reality of that today!

(And as a body, give extra praise for the gift God has given to us

as we celebrate a paid off mortgage today!)

If Anyone is in Christ He is a New Creature

One of the most difficult verses that I’ve studied during my journey with the Lord is 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

As a young man, this would always bother me, especially as I read it in the King James Version, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” I grew up during an era of the “sensational testimony”. By that I mean, that it seemed that the only people that gave their salvation story were those who had been saved from lives of drugs, sex, rock and roll, jail, gangs and the like. I was almost embarrassed to give my testimony. It was not that “sensational” to tell people that I asked Christ to come into my heart by the bath tub at home when I was six years old. I wanted to see that big change that everyone talked about. I lived so long with guilt and misunderstanding and wondering if my “salvation prayer” really took, because in reality, most of my sinning took place after I became a Christian!

It was not until years later that I was encouraged and reminded by someone that it took just as much of the blood of Jesus to save me as it did the person who had the most terrible testimony of all, and that I should not be ashamed that I didn’t have a testimony like that, rather, I should be grateful to God that He, by His grace protected me from going down that road.

But what about the sin issue. Okay, I’m saved, but why did I keep on sinning? Well, here’s where praise can help us to be victorious over sin. As we look at what Christ did for us we see that:Sin is cancelled, but it is not dead! Sin is cancelled, but it is not gone!

Sin is cancelled, but it is very much alive!

Jesus Christ did not die and take our ability to sin away; rather, He died to give us the ability to not sin. As Wesley wrote, “He breaks the power of cancelled sin!” I cannot tell you how many years I lived frustrated asking God to take away the struggles that I had, to free me from all the things that seemed to enslave me. The change came as I began to understand that I was praying the wrong prayer. I was praying for something that had already been accomplished. I needed to ask God to help me to live in the freedom that I already had. Let’s live in that freedom today and Let our worship reflect our thankfulness for that truth.

Preparation: It’s a concept that when followed will enhance every activity. In every situation from a barbeque to a war, preparation is not only good, but success is almost always dependant on it. As we look at our men and women in the battle fields right now, what if they had not prepared for the conditions that they would face? What if the infantry only brought enough supplies for a week? When I do a barbecue I take time to make sure that I have everything I need. All of the utensils, condiments, food, paper towels, foil, water spray can, an apron, extra fuel, etc. are all in place before the cooking begins. Not being prepared at a cookout can mean having to drive far to get more propane; not being prepared for war can mean death. In both cases preparation is essential.


Preparation is also necessary in worship. Many times we don’t think about this because in many situations worship is looked at as something that we come to and that is brought to us. It is quite the opposite however; worship is something that we bring, something that we are responsible for and something that we must prepare for. Paul even reminds us that we need to be prepared to take the Lord ’s Supper, an act of worship, in a way that is worthy before we come. (1 Cor. 11:28)

How do we prepare for worship? Since worship is a lifestyle it is a daily occupation. As we walk with the Lord during the week and talk with Him giving Him praise, adoration and thanksgiving our hearts are being prepared. As we meet with other believers to pray, be encouraged and bring encouragement, we become more prepared. As we spend time in God’s Word and make it’s truths a part of our daily walk we deepen our preparation. As we think and meditate on His goodness, faithfulness, mercy, love, grace and provision and take time to acknowledge our gratitude to Him for those things, we add to our preparation. All of those elements are the “utensils” of worship our “torches” and then when we meet together in our corporate gatherings we, having prepared all week long, come together and celebrate at the “worship party” the “bond-fire” of praise!

Are you prepared today? Do you have your tools, your torches lit ready to enter in? It makes a world of difference in how you’ll walk away from our gathering today. And for every gathering here you prepare for it adds to your lifestyle of worship which is preparation for our eternal worship gathering! So get your apron of praise on and let’s cook!

Pastor MJ

So Sarah laughed

“So Sarah laughed…”

Genesis 18:10-12 (NIV)

It continually makes me stand in awe as I think that the King of kings and the Lord of lords loves me, and not that he loves me alone, but that He also desires for me to be in a personal relationship with Him.

As I read through Scriptures, I notice several times when God is so grieved over man’s unfaithfulness, sin and rebellion, that He states that it is His desire to destroy them. However, as wicked as man has been, God has never destroyed all of mankind. And as a matter of fact, on many occasions, because of the prayers of faithful men, God changed his plan.

No matter how many times God proved his faithfulness, no matter how many times He proved that His promises are true, men and women throughout Scripture and still today cry, keep silent, walk the other way and or laugh in disbelief because of our lack of faith. Sarah was such a person. God had told Abraham and then Sarah that through them many nations would be born and blessed. Sarah had a hard time believing that especially since she was 90 and Abraham at this time was 100 years old. She had been barren that long, how could she possibly give birth for the first time now?

The Bible teaches that, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God’s timing is not always in synch with ours. He is seldom early, but He is never late!

Now, I imagine that God was at least hurt by Sarah’s disbelief, but He was probably also angry. He had provided, led and guided them without fail up to this point and still she laughed with disbelief. Yet God kept all of His promises and delivered, right on time!

What a gracious, loving, forgiving God we serve that in spite of our doubt, He still blesses. In spite of our fear, He still delivers! In spite of our unfaithfulness, He remains faithful.

Take a moment and consider the alternative. Do you agree that we indeed have reason to praise Him for His faithfulness?

Take this week and so do.

Seeing Things From God's Perspective

Anger, frustration, hurt, fear, sorrow, confusion. Have you ever had a week that seemed to encompass each of those emotions? Sometimes life really stinks. Those are the times when I am so thankful for God’s Word. After crying, yelling and not knowing where the next word or thought will come from, having God’s Word by my side to place in my heart is the best “balm” one could ever ask for. As good as Paul Harvey’s comments are, the Word of God is the best “Rest of the story” available to mankind.

Some time ago as I was stuck in the midst of one of our family’s “medical opportunity” :), I went to God’s Word seeking a comforting Word from God that everything was going to be okay. The Spirit of God led me to read through Revelation chapters 4&5. This is an incredible scene in heaven where we see John getting a glimpse of the true, “now but not yet” for believers. He takes us on a journey of the heavenly throne room and lets us see what it looks like and what activities are taking place. I was glued to the pages as I read about the emerald rainbow around the throne, the elders in white garments and golden crowns. Then he tells of the flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder and the sea of glass that is like crystal along with the very interesting looking four living creatures whose full-time occupation is saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, The Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” Next I read about the LAMB...the only One worthy to open the book with the seven seals and as He came and took it the explosive worship response that takes place in response to who He is. A worship response that included hundreds of thousands of angels, living creatures, elders along with every created thing in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them. In the midst of that section I read these words…

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, Be blessing and honor and glory and Dominion forever and ever.”

Right then and there, the Spirit of God spoke to my heart, “Mark, remember, it’s not about you.” Everything is about His glory! At that very moment I realized in a fresh way that I needed to look at everything I am ever faced with, with the perspective of who He is and His agenda. When I look at my trials and heartaches in that light, the depths don’t seem as deep. Aren’t you glad that this isn’t all there is? It will be so worth it all when we see Jesus! Let’s praise Him for the revealing the rest of the story to us early. Read it, make it a lifestyle and be encouraged! And make sure and share this golden truth with those who do not yet know the Lord.

With you on the journey, MJ

2012 Spiritual Check Engine Light

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

Cars are wonderful, when they work! It seems like they break down or begin to have problems at the most importune times. Right after we returned from vacation, I went to run some errands and as I started the car I noticed that the “check engine” light remained on. I turned the car off and started it again, hoping it would click off. Unfortunately, it stayed on. Years ago, a friend showed me how to get certain “signal” lights to turn off if I wanted to ignore the problem. At this point, especially since I had just returned from vacation, I really didn’t want to face car repairs, so I was tempted to turn it off and ignore the problem.

Just then, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to my heart and said that the cost of getting my car checked out and repaired now, would be significantly less than if I were to let it go and have to face the possibility of repairing or replacing my engine. Auto maintenance is like our bodily health, it’s much easier to maintain good health than it is to regain good health.

So it is in life in general. God’s Word provides spiritual “check engine” lights. Are we listening? Or do we know certain tricks to “turn off the lights off”, and avoid the warnings? Are we fleeing temptation? (James 4:7) Are we loving our spouses? (Eph. 5:22, 25) Are we being honest? (Prov. 2:22) Are we caring for God’s temple? (I Cor. 6:19) Are we being good stewards of God’s blessings? (Matt. 25:14-30) Has the Spirit of God been convicting you of an area of your life that needs attention? Have you been listening or do you, do I use tricks such as busyness, drugs, play, television, books, etc. to avoid the warnings?

As we enter this next week, let’s pray as David did, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to come in and do a spiritual diagnostic test and make any repairs needed.

My friend, the pain and cost of doing that, is and will be far less than the alternative. Together, let’s keep on top of our spiritual health: for His glory and our good.

Blessings,
Pastor MJ

Purpose Driven Destruction

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
(John 10:10a)

At the beginning of time we saw him working out his purpose with Adam and Eve. We are all created in the image of God. That image is best seen in the expressions from and in our hearts. Satan cannot take away our salvation but if he can destroy, break or in other ways nullify the heart of Almighty God’s image bearers then He will be happy. God’s glory is expressed best here on this earth through the lives of His children. As Saint Irenaeus wrote, “The glory of God is man fully alive”. Satan’s plan is to break your heart, especially in things towards God. If he can do that then the glory of God coming from your life is dimmed and less of an influence for God.

Satan tried to do this to Adam, the nation of Israel, Jarius, Joseph, Abraham, Daniel, Jesus and millions of others. Where was God when the Jews were commanded to make more bricks with less material? Were was God when Jarius held His almost lifeless daughter in his arms? Where was God as Joseph as being thrown into the dry well? Where was God when Jacob received news of his favorite son being killed by wild animals? Where was God when Daniel was being thrown into the lion’s den? Where was God while Job was getting the mess kicked out of him? Where was He when your husband/wife walked out? Where was he when your best friend died of AIDS? Where was he when you were betrayed by those you trusted the most? Where is He now? Why didn’t/doesn’t He step in?

Each one of those questions is fueled by Satan’s sole purpose to destroy your heart. He wants to steal your joy, your hope. He wants to kill your emotion towards your Creator, your Father and to kill your heart towards Him and in some cases not only your heart but your very life.

Without the well, Joseph would have never brought the Jews to Egypt. Without the cross, no resurrection. God won. He always does.

My friend, you may not see, feel, sense, or even believe that God is with you in the midst of your situation or that He even cares.

He is and He does… One day every question will be answered, every doubt will be erased, every fear quenched, every tear dried. Go ahead, cry, get mad. My prayer for you today is that you will be able to say, even in your brokenness, just as Job did, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15 NIV) Today may be your “Friday”, but your “Sunday” is coming.

With you, desiring a heart fully alive……...MJ

The Path of Life

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

—Psalm 16:11

How many of us live with a heavenly perspective on life? By heavenly perspective, I mean seeing life through the lens of eternity. I remember as a young boy, I prayed and talked with my family and friends constantly, about my hope that the rapture would not come before I got married and had the opportunity to experience being married and all that marriage had to offer like being a dad. I remember hearing messages and religious leaders, especially in the late seventies talk about how imminent the return of Christ was, even setting dates. I remember praying desperately and asking God to “wait” until I got married. Well, I can’t say that the fact that I’m married and am a dad 4 times over (one is in heaven) is a direct answer to my prayers, but it has happened and I’m glad that God has blessed me in this way.

However, as I’ve grown in the Lord and come to understand His word better I now see things a bit differently. Not that I would change my situation at all, but as I see and understand it now, if the Lord had come back prior to 1991 when Rebecca and I got married, I would have not only not missed being married, but in heaven I would not even give it a second thought, as being in the presence of God would be my delight, my focus, and my pleasure. How different would our lives be if we walked day in and day out viewing everything through eternal lenses?

We face difficulties, pain and suffering and vast uncertainties each and every day. Left to dwell on what life brings us along, we travel a road of hopelessness and fear. But when we allow every aspect of our daily circumstances to be filtered through the truth of God’s Word, we are able to act and react in a way that is not only pleasing to the Lord, but that allows us to walk in freedom from fear and anxiety. The old hymn puts it this way,

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do His good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other

way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

John H. Sammis

My friend, no matter what today will bring, ask Father God to help you to see your situation through His eyes and whether it’s sickness, debt, relational problems or even death may His Word give you hope for not only a new day, but a better day “tomorrow”!

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” —John 14:1-3



Happy New Year

Happy New Year. I truly pray that it is and that it will be indeed a happy New year for you and those you love. However, remember that whether your days are happy or not, never forget that God is with you always and that nothing in your life's circumstances are outside of His knowledge and care. He is with you from the beginning of the year until the end.

In the next several days, all of the Christmas decorations and celebrations will all but be memories of Christmas 2011. As you tuck away the family decorations and put your homes back to normal, let me suggest you take some time and remember once again the powerful message of the season that we've just come through. Those of you with a manger scene, take a moment as you store it away and remember that the baby of the manger did not remain a baby, rather, He grew to become a man who had His eyes fixed on a cross, a cross that He would die on to pay the price for your sins and mine.

This week as we gather to worship, we will once again celebrate Jesus, this time however, we will celebrate not only that He came, but what He came to do. The manger was a prelude to the cross. His birth was the beginning of the journey to His death on the cross. Our time together today will give us an opportunity to focus on the sacrifice that He has made for us and will give us an opportunity to thank, praise, adore and worship Him for the ultimate gift the Father has given us, life through the death of his beloved Son.

Today, His Word will remind us of what He has done and wants to do in and through us. Our songs will give us an opportunity to lift up our praise. Our prayers will be a response to the goodness that God has showered on us through the sacrifice of His Son. Our lives today and throughout this year will be an opportunity for us to express our deepest thanks for what He has done.

Prepare your hearts right now to focus on the King of kings and the Lord of lords and how you will say thanks today. And my friend, if you are reading this and have not yet given your heart to Jesus, today is your day. Listen with your heart and allow God's Spirit to show you what He has done to bring you into a relationship with Him that you were created for. May this be your best year yet as you live each day in the grip of His love and grace.

Pastor MJ

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. It’s been awhile since December 25th landed on a Sunday. However, it’s seems very fitting that we are celebrating the birth of our Lord on the day that we regularly come together to worship Him. Corporate worship is in itself a celebration.

Each week we celebrate our Great God for all that He is and for all He has done and is doing. Today we focus in on celebrating our Master: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”(Phil. 2:6,7) Praise and glory be to Him!

As you celebrate this Christmas be sure and take some time out just to thank Jesus for being willing and obedient to step into your journey so that you could have a relationship with His Father. Celebrate Him for being the greatest gift ever known to man. Celebrate His Father for being the Giver of such an incredible gift! Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:15)

The greatest gift and celebration that you could offer, if you have not already, would be to receive the Greatest Gift from the Greatest Giver that He is offering you today. So, if you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, give your life to Him today and experience why the God of the universe moved heaven and earth just so your could celebrate what we call Christmas day.

Have a very Merry Christmas and remember to say Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Pastor MJ

Love = Sacrifice

”This is how God showed his love among us….”
1 John 4:9-11

There are many definitions of love floating around. We hear it almost daily in relation to food, weather, and articles of clothing, celebrities, music and more. One of the sad things about how love is portrayed today is that it just comes and goes. We see people falling in and out of love. One day they are “madly in love” with each other, the next they are in a bitter divorce. For many, love is conditional and is based on circumstances rather than a choice.

I am so glad that God sheds light on the true meaning and foundation of love in His Word. When we look at love through God’s eyes we see something that is not only possible, but promised when we look to Him for direction and ability to love like He loves.

In John 15:13, we read, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus not only spoke these words, but He had the example of His own Father who, out of love for His creation sent Jesus to be sacrificed as redemption for us.

Love = Sacrifice

In 1 John 4:9-11, it is clear and concise how God displayed His love, by sending His one and only Son to be sacrificed for our sins.

Rarely do we see or hear a conversation about love where sacrifice is brought into the conversation. Love is almost always depicted or defined as something that makes us feel good, comforted, cared for and safe. And although the large picture of love does ultimately include those things and more, foundationally true love begins with sacrifice. That is why John tells us that love is, “Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”(vs. 10) In this way, we are reminded that true love involves sacrifice. And that is the love that we are called to extend to all those that God places in our lives. We must be willing to sacrifice, or give up, feelings, comfort, safety, or the expectation of anything in return and love unconditionally, because that is the way that Father God loves us.

As we reflect this Advent season, and today on love, take a moment and think about the Love that it took for the God of the universe, the Prime Mover of all that was, is and is to come to will the sacrifice of His one and only Son because of His love for you and for me. John 3:16, proclaims, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Love=Sacrifice=Giving – This is what God did by sending Jesus to be born that very first Christmas morning and what He will again express on that day that we look forward to as He comes again.

Blessings.

Still Not All We Should Be

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be,

but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing:

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Philippians 3:13 (NLT)

Not too long ago, I was laying down resting and thinking deeply about my past and how, if I had the chance to do it all over again I would change some things I’ve done, not speak some things I’ve said, not go some places I’ve been, not think some things I’ve thought. It almost became discouraging as I realized none of my past can ever be changed until God began to replace those thoughts and blanket me with truth from His Word. His Spirit spoke Psalm 30:11 to me, where it says, “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” (NLT) And then Joel 2:25 “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.” (NKJV). And finally, Isaiah 43:18-20 "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. "Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness. (NASB)

God has given you and I breathe today in order for us to bring glory to Him. One way that we can do that is to not focus on the past, except to repent of anything there that might be displeasing to Him, accept that it is covered by the blood of Christ and live today in a way that is pleasing to Him. When Jesus spoke to the woman caught in adultery, he did not excuse her sin, yet He pointed her forward and said, “Go and sin not more!” (John 8:10-12)

We cannot change yesterday, but we can, with God’s help and our obedience change how tomorrow reflects on today. Where have you really blown it? What things do you wish you could change about “yester-year”? Remember Isaiah’s words, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.” And don’t forget the words of Jesus, “Go and sin not more!” Today is a new day. Go in His strength and through obedience to His Word put a smile on the Lord’s face about your “today”. From that morning, recently, I’ve been holding on to this thought: that I will live each day, “Striving to put a smile on the face of my future’s past as I put a smile on the face of my Lord today”!

Let’s praise and worship the Lord today for being a God who can indeed take a failed past and turn it into a bright and joy filled future. Glory to His name!

Pastor MJ

Don't Worry About Anything

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God’s peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

As we look at the children of Israel in the book of Exodus, how many times can and do we see ourselves? God had just done so many miracles, things that only He could have done. They had watched Him turn the Nile River into blood. They had witnessed God sending boils to cover all of the men and animals throughout the land. Then they saw the plague of locusts and darkness that culminated in the death of all first born children of Egypt while all of God’s chosen people who were covered by the blood of the lamb did not see death. You would think that after all of that, that trust would not be an issue with these folks. However, our human nature is strong and how soon we forget God’s gracious provisions and protection when the going really gets tough.

Their thought was that this had to be a trick. All that separated them from their enemy was land and in front of them sat the Red Sea. They cried out, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Exodus 14:11-12) But God in His incredibly gracious way, once again provided for His own. He opened a way where there was no way. He made a roadway in the wilderness and a path way through the sea. The pathway of life for the Lord’s people became a roadway of death for the Egyptians.

God had given His word through Moses and Aaron that they were going to a land that He had prepared for them. He had made a covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. He was not about to break His promise. However, circumstances were giving them other signals. God has given us His word. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He promised to give us the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). In every circumstance He has promised to meet our every need (Philippians 4:19)! He has promised to not only hear, but to answer our prayers if we ask according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). We need but to exercise our faith and believe Him at His Word. He is worthy to be trusted, He has never failed, and that’s a reason to praise Him. Let’s do so together today and throughout this week.

Pastor MJ

Living With Hope

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-19 (NIV)

While Job saw and felt the boils that were covering his body, God saw the millions of people who would be encouraged by his story of praise in the midst of trials. As Joseph was surrounded by the darkness of the dry well that he was thrown into by his brothers, God saw the store house of food that would feed thousands during the severe famine. At the time that David’s family saw a “ruddy” young man God saw the greatest human king of Israel. And over two thousand years ago, while the magi saw the infant Messiah, the Jews hope for gaining freedom from Roman oppression, God saw the cross of Calvary.

Scripture teaches us much about perspective and hope. Things that look strange and unreasonable to us are at times perfect and purposefully part of God’s Sovereign plan. “For my ways are not your ways…”  ( Isaiah 55:8).

Such truth and living examples throughout Scripture should give us hope day in and day out. Just knowing that what we see in our present circumstances is only from our vantage point and that God sees the whole picture should help us to put our trust in His goodness and sovereignty, not our present situation.

Remember Peter? His present circumstances dictated that he was going to probably drown. But that was when he focused on the water. When he focused on Jesus, not the water, He was safe. Peter saw the waves crashing around him; Jesus saw an opportunity to show that He was the Lord of all creation, even the sea.

I must admit, I often struggle when the “resource box” is empty. Too often, my first reaction is to fret and to wonder, “How in the world is this going to work out?” It must break God’s heart when after doing miracle after miracle; after meeting me around the corner from the impossible, time and time again with “I’ve been here all along with this incredible (some provision)”, that I still worry and don’t remember that God’s ways are not my ways and His timing is not my timing, but that His love is real, His faithfulness is great and eternal and that He is worthy of my undying trust. Our hope is not in our circumstances, rather in the one who will one day, right every wrong and wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). That is a hope worth holding on to.

Pray with me today that He would grant us the ability to live with hope and a eternal perspective.

Pastor MJ

Be Thankful in All Circumstances

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you

who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NLT)

Saying “thank-you”: two words that are so strong and significant that they even bring pleasure to the heart of Jesus, Himself. Two words that mean so much that an entire story was written about Christ’s reaction about not expressing thanks in Luke 17:11-19.

Someone asked me a question not too long ago that I want to pose to you today:

“What if the only things you had left tomorrow are the things that you have given thanks for?”

All I could say after I heard that was, wow! What a thought provoking question.

We have a chance today to say, thank you. Here is some space below to do just that.

Happy Thanksgiving!