Pastor's Pen...
Pastor David
God Bless You,
IS IT NOT TIME TO STAND?
Daniel 3
It has been said “If you do not stand for something you will fall for anything.”
We live in a day when not many are willing to take a stand against the darkness that seeks to engulf our world.
Jesus stated, “You are the light of the world.” As such we are to shine before this dark world uncovered and uplifted, (Matthew 5:14-16). If darkness engulfs the light, how great is that darkness. Jesus tells us this darkness is total darkness, (Matthew 6:23).
In the days of the captivity there were 3 young men who sought to stand up and shine before a dark world ruled by a pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar.
Nebuchadnezzar had received the dream and interpretation of the golden image, (Daniel 2). His heart is filled with pride and he sets out to exalt himself. He does so by setting up his “Image of Gold” in the plain of Shinar.
Nebuchadnezzar wants more than just power, he wants worship! The outcome is that he establishes a government sponsored religion.
Insight: He sets up a religion for political purposes and makes this new religion compulsory irrespective of the claims of God or the conscience of men. This religion had as its sole purpose the glory of man, not the glory of God.
Issue: In America we are facing this same man-made religion. By the laws of the land we face the following threats.
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An attack upon the God of the Bible.
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An attack upon the Institution of Marriage.
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An attack upon the Institution of Family.
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An attack upon the Unborn.
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An attack upon Free Speech.
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An attack upon Free Enterprise.
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An attack upon our Biblical Heritage.
For the Christian living in America today there is the pressure for the approvable of the government to freely express and explain one’s faith in God and in the Biblical Gospel which focuses upon the person and work of Jesus Christ.
IS IT NOT TIME TO STAND?
In Daniel 3 we learn of the story of 3 young men who would not stand down in the face of spiritual darkness but would choose to stand up as spiritual lights. Let us hear their story and learn important lessons for standing up in dark times.
THEY WOULD NOT BOW
In 3:1-7
The Babylonian government demanded of all that they should bow to the golden imagine created by its head of state – Nebuchadnezzar.
All must bow before the image regardless of one’s station in life. All were to get with the program and fall into line with the wishes of the State.
THEY WOULD NOT BEND
In 3:8-18
These 3 young men refuse to obey the State. They served a higher power – the God of Glory.
The State offered them a compromise and a second chance to fall into line with the demands of the State, (3:14-15).
Feeling the pressure to compromise these 3 young men profess publicly their faith in God, (3:16-18).
Having made the decision not to bow, they now make the decision not to bend.
THEY WOULD NOT BURN
In 3:19-27
These 3 young men must now prove their faith in God. The order was given that those who would not bow were to be burned alive. The furnace is heated to the max and these young men are cast into the flames. But they did not burn!
God saved them in the flames, not from the flames.
Their stand made a difference. The heart of the king is challenged and changed by their stand for faith.
The light had conquered the darkness.
The same could be realized in our day if only we would take a stand against the growing darkness in our world. The Bible declares in 1 John 5:4
“…and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.”
THE SWAY OF A SINFUL SOCIETY UPON THE SAINTS
2 Peter 2:7-9
Question: Does society impact the spiritual life of a believer?
Answer: According to the life of Lot, it certainly does! The Bible tells us that Lot was “vexed” by the filthy manner of life of the wicked. Lot became worn down, oppressed, and tormented by the world in which he lived.
The culture of Sodom was both unholy and unhealthy. The outcome was seen in 2 areas: first, a corroded faith and second, a corrupted family life.
Lot walked in a company that would bring him down. (Psalm 1: 1-3)
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Sodom’s Voice was heard
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Sodom’s Values were handed down
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Sodom’s Vices were held as acceptable
Lot became a marred man when he allowed himself to become a mingled man-Fellowship -Friendship-Federation.
Two important truths are presented in the example of Lot.
THERE ARE PRESSURES UPON THE SAINTS
A culture that is unholy and unhealthy will become a hindrance for Christian living.
There is a 3-fold attack upon every believer.
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Compromise-(v8) “dwelling among them”
The Bible calls for , ()
2. Complacency-(v8) “in seeing and hearing”
The Bible calls for , ()
3. Conformity-(v8) “vexed his soul”
The Bible calls for Spirituality, (Romans 12: 1-2)
THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR THE SAINTS
Peter informs us, “The Lord knows how to deliver the godly…” (v9)
The Bible instructs a believer to do 2 things found in Ephesians 6:10-17.
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Establish-establish ourselves in the Lord with “his might”
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Equip- equip ourselves in the Lord with “the armour of God”
This was Lot’s problem. He failed to establish and equip himself in the things of God.
Lot was…
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WEAK in his devotions
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WORLDLY in his desires
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WRONG in his decisions
Lot had looked toward Sodom, moved to Sodom, and finally lived in Sodom. (Genesis 13)
Lot was able to choose Heaven over Hell, Lot was not able to choose Heaven over Earth!
Abraham is the true pattern for the believer living here on earth as seen from Hebrews 11: 8-10.
CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Acts 20: 28-30
Paul gives the Ephesian believers a word of warning. The Church will come under attack by the enemy from within and without.
There will be a time of spiritual apostasy as stated in:
1 Timothy 4: 1-2
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
2 Timothy 3: 1-7
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Jesus asks, “…when the Son of man comes, shall he find(the) faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)
QUESTION: How do we combat such an assault upon the Church in our day?
Jude tells us “to contend for the faith,” but HOW do we?
There are 3 ways to combat the growing apostasy of our time:
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ENCOURAGEMENT
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EDIFICATION
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EXPOSURE
By Encouragement: Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
By Edification: 1 Timothy 4: 11-16
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
By Exposure: 2 Timothy 3: 13-17
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The health and well being of the body of Christ must be the concern and care of each and every member.
You can make a difference!
You must make a difference!
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
Book of Acts
Throughout the book of Acts the people of God are clearly marked out and identified by 5 different terms. These terms define and describe them as those in relationship with Jesus.
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To Describe Their Convictions: (5:14) “Believers”
“And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.”
To believe means to trust, to rely upon.This speaks of a simple act of faith. ()
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To Describe Their Company: (6:3) “Brethren”
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”
The term “brethren” speaks of brotherhood, family, togetherness, (2:44;4:31) Our relationship with other believers is the focus.
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To Describe Their Commitment: (9:1) “Disciples”
“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”
The term “disciple” speaks of a learner, a pupil. The issue is that of master and servant. (Luke 9:23-26)
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To Describe Their Character: (9:13) “Saint”
“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:”
The term “saint” speaks of that which is sacred and set apart for God. This term points to our position in Christ as well as our practice before Christ.
·To Describe Their Conduct: (11:26) “Christians”
“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
The term “Christian” speaks of one who is a follower of Christ or one who belongs to Christ. The people of God are a transformed people who are to mirror the very image of Christ. (Romans 8:29 and Galatians 4: 1)
FAITH IN THE FACE OF A FIERY FURNACE
DANIEL 3: 1-30
Three young men, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego are faced with the pressure to conform to the demands of evil but their faith in God will help them to face this test and win the victory as stated in I John 5:4 " this is the victory-our faith".
THEY PROCLAIMED THEIR FAITH (3: 16-18)
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They were not ashamed OR afraid to confess their Lord in public. (Matthew 10:32-33)
“ Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”
2. They stood upon the foundation of their faith in God.
Ephesians 6:13-14 states:
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
THEY PROVED THEIR FAITH (3: 1-15;19-27)
The principle here is that faith without works is dead as stated in James 2:26.
“ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
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They would not bow (3:1-12)
"they do not serve your gods" as in verse 12. God forbids idolatry in Exodus 20: 1-5.
“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”
It was for this sin that led to their captivity.
2.They would not bend (3:13-18)
"we are not going to serve your gods" (verse 18)
They did not hesitate. They did not reconsider. They did not back down. They committed knowing that if they compromised it would lead to conformity.
3. They would not burn (3:19-27)
"The fire had no effect" this was stated in verse 27. They believed that God was able and they soon found out that he was also willing to deliver. At no time was their faith in God conditional!! They showed an unconditional faith!
THEY PROPAGATED THEIR FAITH (3:28-30)
Their faith in God turned the entire set of circumstances around to the glory of God. What started as a worship service to man ended as a worship service to God!
There is no other god who is able to deliver in this way! (verse 29)
“Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.”
“Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.”
RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS
I WILL:
LIKE PAUL: I will forget those things which are behind and press forward.
LIKE DAVID: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.
LIKE ABRAHAM: I will trust implicitly in my God.
LIKE ENOCH: I will walk in daily fellowship with my Heavenly Father.
LIKE JEHOSAPHAT: I will prepare my heart to seek the Lord.
LIKE MOSES: I will choose rather to suffer than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
LIKE DANIEL: I will commune with God at all times and in all places.
LIKE JOB: I will be patient under all circumstances.
LIKE CALEB & JOSHUA: I will refuse to be discouraged of the superior numbers.
LIKE JOSEPH: I will turn by back on all seductive advances
LIKE GIDEON: I will advance, even though my friends are few.
LIKE AARON & HUR: I will uphold the hands of my minister and the leaders of the church with my prayers and support.
LIKE ANDREW: I will strive to lead my brother to Christ.
LIKE STEPHEN: I will manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek mt hurt.
LIKE JESUS: I will go about doing good.
SALTY SAINTS
Matthew 5: 13
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Jesus is speaking to his own people and reveals certain aspects of what a believer is to be and to do while living on this earth. From this statement in verse 13 we are given the ability to gain 3 spiritual truths:
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A PROCLAMATION OF CHARACTER(5:13a)
Jesus tells us, “ye are the salt of the earth…”. Salt was a very important element in Bible times. Salt was used as a means of payment, “Are you worth your salt?”
Salt has 3 primary uses:
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As a preservative…we live in a world of decay
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As a flavoring… we live in a world of distaste
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As a ‘thirstmaker’… we live in a world of dissatisfaction
As a Salty Saint, we are to retard decay, sweeten those who have been made bitter by sin, and seek to make thirsty those who would drink from wells of stale water.
2. A POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHE (5:13b)
Jesus tells us that as slat we can lose our saltiness, “but if the salt has lost his savour…”
Savour is the quality which renders a thing valuable; the quality which renders other bodies agreeable to the taste, so if it is lost it means to be without distinctiveness, to be bland and tasteless.
There are many examples in the scriptures of men who lost their savour.
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Saul: lost his savour thru rebellion
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Samson: lost his savour thru selfishness
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Demas: lost his savour thru worldliness
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Lot: lost his savour thru compromise
Jesus tells us, “Have salt in yourselves…” (Mark 9:50)
“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it?
Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.”
3. A PICTURE OF CONSEQUENCE (5:13c)
Jesus tells us that when we lose our saltiness we become “good for nothing”.
We are warned of the consequences of a loss of saltiness:
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No Value: “it is good for nothing”. We have lost our sense of purpose, or our meaning in life.
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No Vitality: “to be cast out”. We lose our strength or quality. As to our mind, we become dull or sluggish. As to our taste, we become inspid or flat.
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No Victory: “to be trodden underfoot." To lose our savour literally means to play the fool. When as salt we lose our saltiness we become useless. We turn from being a victor to becoming a victim!
When, as the people of God, we lose our savour in this present world we become “walked upon” by the ungodly around us. We become a source of disdain and judgment
When our Lord refers to his people as ‘SALT’, he is giving to us a functional definition of our intended character. The issue is that on Influence when we lose our saltiness, we lose the ability to Influence our world for the glory of God!
Paul remind us that we are Walking Bibles before the eyes of an ungodly world. (2 Cor. 3: 2-6)
STAND UP FOR JESUS
Ephesians 6:10-20
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
We live as believers in a spiritual warzone. The battle is real and the casualties are all too many. We must be victorious in battle or we will become victims of the battle.
Stand Up For Jesus is more than just a song...it is a reality of our commitment to Jesus.
Paul presents us with 3 elements...
THE CALL TO STAND
To stand speaks of maintaining our ground, not yielding or fleeing in the face of the enemy.(verse 13)
We stand in 2 ways; first, standing for and second, standing against.
THE CONDITIONS FOR STANDING
We go to battle being fully armed,(6:10-12).
There are the elements of preparation and discipline. We learn how to be a "good soldier" for the cause of Christ.
To stand your ground means that you both guard your ground and then hold your ground. Give no place to the devil!
THE COMMITMENT TO STAND
Being called and conditioned means we must be also committed to the battle,(6:14).
Stand, therefore...we are to successfully resist the enemy!
June 14, 2020
Here we are almost one month back in public worship services and we still don't know for certain as which way we will be heading in the months ahead. Many have asked when we will be able to return to full activities and the answer is simple, "Don't really know!"
I am seeking to be both safe and cautious in decisions for our full return to church-wide activities. As it stands now, I am looking to see if the school system will bring students back to school in August and what procedures are being used. If this is the case, then we will set to restart full activities in August. It is difficult for both our Sunday School and our Children's Church ministries to get back on track at this present time. this is our time of the year when we welcome guests from all over the country and we must be mindful of them as well as of our own people.
For the present time we are focusing upon our worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays. Hopefully, our people will begin to return for these public worship services sooner than later. Until then we will praise the Lord together for the ability to do what we are now doing. Please join us as we meet for Sundays at 11 and 6:30 and Wednesdays at 6:30 for our worship services.
Thank you for your prayers and your faithfulness to God.
Looking forward to the Future!
JULY 2, 2020
LET US THINK THIS THROUGH...
Jesus warned in Matthew 24:7 that the time would come when "nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom."
The word "nation" speaks of ethnic groups and the word "kingdom" speaks of governments.
From this warning, we learn that there will be constant conflict between both peoples and powers as we head toward the final days. We hear the steady call for unity and peace but how to achieve such goals appear to be way beyond humanity's ability to succeed in reaching such goals. So, the struggle between peoples and powers continue.
There is an answer to this dilemma. The answer is Jesus Christ. John writes in Revelation 7:9-
"After this I beheld and to a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes and palms in their hands. And cried with a loud voice saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb."
Only in Jesus can humanity find unity and peace. In 1863, a song was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow entitled, I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. This song was written with the backdrop of death and destruction. In 1861, Henry lost his wife who was killed in a fire, and the same year the country would be torn apart with the start of the Civil War. On Christmas Day, 1863, Henry gave vent to his feelings in this now known Christmas carol. In the verses of this carol, Henry expresses deep darkness and disappointment, but the carol does not end on a sad note. Consider the verse that has been left out of the original carol.
I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
THEIR OLD FAMILAR CAROLS PLAY
AND WILD AND SWEET THE WORDS REPEAT
OF PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN
AND IN DESPAIR I BOWED MY HEAD
"THERE IS NO PEACE ON EARTH" I SAID
FOR HATE IS STRONG AND MOCKS THE SONG
OF PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TO MEN
THEN PEALED THE BELLS MORE LOUD AND DEEP
GOD IS NOT DEAD NOR DOES HE SLEEP
THE WRONG SHALL FAIL THE RIGHT PREVAIL
WITH PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL TO MEN
Humanity continues to look around for this dream of unity and peace but if we would just look above, we would find the answer, Jesus Christ.
God Bless You,
Pastor David
Well, here we are. Sunday is the day, June 7th. The day we are praying and hoping to rejoin as a church family in person. Though we would love to have everyone return, we understand that this may not be possible for many of you. This is a personal decision where each individual must use their own discretion. WE will still be continue to broadcast and record. We are still a church family even if you are not able or ready to return. Again, I urge you to use your own personal discretion and make the decision that is right for you and will keep you safe and healthy.
Sunday morning will introduce a new series. This Sunday, the sermon is 'The Lamb is the Light'
will lead into a series that will focus on an in-depth study of Revelation 21 & 22, 'Having An Eye On Eternity'.
Sunday evenings we will continue our study on the Life of Elisha(part 3). Wednesday evenings we will begin a new study entitled, 'Credible Christianity' based upon 1 John. We will have CD's and study guides available.
Whether you are here in person or online, we are family!
May 23, 2020
June 7th
Start-Up Sunday...
Things will be a bit different as we begin to make our way back to having public worship once again here at Chapel. The following guidelines will be in place:
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No Hymnbooks thus No Congregational Singing
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No Passing of the Offering Plates-a basket will be available at the front door as you come in so that you can place your offering into the basket
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We ask that there be ONLY 1 person at a time in the bathrooms
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We ask that we keep as little physical contact with each other as possible
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We ask that you space yourself at a distance from others as you take your seat
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Please bring your own Bibles
As we strive to follow these simple guidelines, this will make it possible for a quick and safe return to a more normal worship experience
Please remember that we are focusing upon just the MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE at 11:00 a.m. We will continue to have our regular Evening Worship services at 6:30 on Sunday and Wednesdays for those who would wish to come. The services will continue to broadcast live.
Remember that all services are recorded for CD play and video recorded for YOUTUBE.
Pastor David
May 4, 2020
Peace, Perfect Peace is the title of a hymn written by Edward Bickersteth in 1875. This hymn was inspired by the words of Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."
In times of trials and tribulation, we seek the peace that comes only from god. Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:7-9 that the "peace of God" comes from knowing the "God of peace" Yes, even in the midst of the storms of life the God of peace comes to us and gives to us the peace of God. In Colossians 3:15, Paul tells us that it is God's peace that must be allowed to "rule" in our hearts and minds. the word "rule" means to govern and prevail.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, even in troubling times, we must learn how to allow God to fill our hearts and minds with his perfect peace. It is this peace of God that we can receive from the God of peace that will anchor our spirits as we face the changing times ahead.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know and He is on the throne.
Pastor David
The days in which we are now living, call for spiritual discernment on the part of God's people. In light of our present circumstances and the questions that have come my way, I will focus our next few Sunday morning messages on the Prophetic Preview as set forth by Jesus in Matthew 24. This prophetic preview is known as the Olivet Discourse.
Of all the many prophetic passages found in the Bible, this one passage is possibly the most misunderstood and misapplied. For these reasons, I will seek to present this discourse of our Lord in its proper setting. We will be asking 4 major questions: Who? What? Where? and Why? Once these questions are answered, a proper interpretation of this passage is possible.
The outcome of our study, having first dealt with these 4 questions, will no doubt surprise many by the conclusions drawn from this message of our Lord. The following principle will be applied:
BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION MUST PRECEDE SPIRITUAL APPLICATION
Setting a proper context is the key to achieving true biblical interpretation followed by presenting a spiritual application.
Please read Matthew 24 - 25 and pray for spiritual discernment as we examine those forthcoming messages. The title for this series is...
A PROPHETIC PREVIEW
Paul writes in Romans 5:2, " rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Our hope is in God alone and hope becomes "an anchor for the soul" according to Hebrews 6:19. It is the path to hope that Paul sets before us in Romans 5:15.
He begins with a most unpleasant subject, tribulation. But tribulation brings about patience. It must be understood that patience is the fruit plucked from the tree of tribulation. With patience comes experience or literally the state of being approved. With a patient endurance during times of tribulation, the believer gains the approval of God.
Having the approval of God, the believer's heart is filled with hope. Hope speaks of confidence in God. When we experience the spirit of hope we experience the love of God in our hearts. This love is likened to a flowing river gushing forth or being poured out. Peter states that God has given to us a "living hope" in 1 Peter 1:3.
In these trying times let us not lose hope. David understood the value of hope and wrote about it in Psalm 42. He would declare--
" Hope thou in God: I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance...Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance."
Let the following be our prayer--Romans 15:13
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost."
Pastor's Pen...
This coming Lord's Day, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This event is too often viewed as simply an historical event that is attached to ancient history.
The truth be told, is that this event of the past should speak of a personal reality in the present time.
What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you?
What does the work of Calvary mean to you?
In the work of Calvary, we see the following...
1. He Loved us
2. He Washed Us
3. He Made us
Because of what Jesus has done, we see the outcome of what he wants to do for all who would come to him in saving faith.
At Calvary, Jesus shows his love for us.
By Calvary, Jesus shows his ability to wash us from our sins.
Through Calvary, Jesus assures a bright future for those who would come to him in saving faith.
Let the celebration of this Resurrection Sunday be the celebration of your own personal salvation. Click on the words and let us pray for you or pray with you.
March 30, 2020
A word from the Pastor...
Dear Chapel Family and Friends,
We have made it through another week. The crisis of our time is starting to wear many down and many are still trying to get a straight word on what it is that we will be having to deal with in the coming months. Let me encourage you...Don't lose heart!!
God is still on His throne and nothing catches our God by surprise. Our God knows all about our present set of circumstances and he is working in the midst of it all. Please pray with\ me for the discovery of a cure to take out this virus. So many people have suffered the loss of loved ones and others have suffered the loss of jobs and income. May God help each and everyone who struggles through these difficult times.
We are still offering live audio broadcast of our services. The number of those who are tuning in for each service is a great encouragement to me personally. Pray for the services and please share the news with other people if you can. Also, we ask that you mail in your tithes and offerings.
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. It is the celebration of that day when Jesus presented himself to the nation of Israel as her rightful king. Though he would be rejected, the story is not over at all. Tune in this Sunday morning at 11:00 AM for our message entitled, "WHO IS THIS?"
The people saw Jesus as a mere prophet, but they missed seeing Jesus as King. One's eternal destiny rests upon this single question...WHO is Jesus?
God is still on His throne!!!
March 23, 2020
A word from the Pastor...
Sunday was a rather strange new experience for us here at Chapel. We held our services at the usual times for the sake of producing a live broadcast for each service.
There were those who chose to attend in person while others stayed away and sought to tune in by way of our church website. We had so many tune-in that our system could not handle all who tried to listen in. We are working on this issue and hope to resolve it as soon as possible.
Let us together pray for a quick resolution to this present crisis. God can indeed raise up someone who will be able to find a cure for this virus. Until such time, let us be faithful to God and seek to be a source of comfort to those who would cross our path.
I truly missed seeing my church family and look forward to the time when we can all join in together for a praise and worship service once again. Please pray for your Chapel family during this difficult time. Also, please remember we need your continued financial support. For the present time, we ask that you mail in your tithes and offerings.
This storm will pass, and we will surely see a brighter day.
“When you see the ark of the covenant…go after it…that you may know the way by which you must go; for you have not passed this way before.”
(Joshua 3:1-4)
Follow the ark! This was the command of Joshua given to the people as they were making preparations to enter the Land of Promise. It was a new land with new possibilities and they had never before walked in this direction. They did not know where this path would lead them or what they would encounter in this new and strange land.
Joshua encouraged and instructed them to just follow the ark of God. As we enter a new year shouldn’t this be good advice for us as well. We know not what lies ahead. There is such an uncertain mood as we look out across our world and see all the many different problems and struggles that have now beset our world.
Follow the ark! If we would do this – follow our God – we will be able to walk whatever path is set before us and encounter whatever issues that shall confront us. Our God is able to see us through as he was able to lead the Hebrew children on their march into the Land of Promise.
Will you follow God? It is normal for many to start out on the right path at the beginning but what about the follow-through? Once upon the right path will you stay the course? Let us start out on the path of God’s choosing and make a commitment to stay the course. Let us not waste the opportunity to follow God and enter into his many blessings.
“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year” with these words we express joy and a spirit of expectation. But this past year has taken the thrill out of these famous words and produced an air of uncertainty as we face 2021.
What will the new year be like? Will things get better? None of us know, but we must be determined to face the future in faith and not in fear! God is still on His throne and will always be so!
Let us think about Christmas for a moment. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:15-
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
The word “unspeakable” speaks of that which is beyond description. How can we really describe the gift of God in the sending of his only son Jesus to this world? We might be able to describe God's gift in at least 2 ways.
First-This is a Gift of Grace.
This gift of grace addresses man's need. In Galatians 4: 4-5 Paul tells us that God sent forth Jesus into this world for the purpose of redeeming lost humanity. Jesus came to this world to pay our sin debt. The wages of sin are death and only Jesus could pay the price. This is the gospel that we preach. In the death and resurrection of Jesus, we find God's forgiveness.
Second- This is a Gift of Glory.
This gift of glory addresses God's nature. Someone may ask, “What is God like?” The answer is found in the person of Jesus. Jesus came to reveal to lost humanity the fullness of God the father. John addresses this truth in John 1: 18-
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
In Jesus alone, we can understand the words of John 1:14-
“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Yes, God's gift of Jesus is a gift of grace and glory.
May we ask,” Have you received so great a gift as God's unspeakable gift? “
If not, why not ask for this precious gift this Christmas season?