Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
From the Pastor's Heart:
Jesus, Suffered and Died, to secure our resurrection from the dead.
"For, if we have been united with Him in a death like His we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His." Romans 6:5 (ESV)
The resurrection of Jesus is God's gift and proof that His death was completely successful in blotting out the sins of His people and removing the wrath of God. And by means of the resurrection, God the Father cries, "It is finished indeed!" (John 19:30). The great work of paying for our sin, and providing our righteousness and satisfying God's justice, was finished in the death of Jesus.
The Bible rings with the truth that belonging to Jesus means we will be raised from the dead with Him. Look at the opening Bible verse. "Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep." (1 Thess. 4:14) "God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by His power." (1 Corinthians 6:14)
Here's the connection between Jesus' death and our resurrection: "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law." (1 Cor. 15-56) Which means, we've all sinned. The law sentences sinners to everlasting death. The text continues, "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (v 57) In other words, the demand of the law is met by Jesus' life and death. Therefore, sins are forgiven. Therefore, the sting of sin is removed. Therefore, those who believe in Christ will NOT be sentenced to everlasting death, but will, "be raised imperishable... Then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Cor. 15: 52, 54) Make Jesus you focus on this Resurrection Celebration. (John Piper-The Passion of Christ)
Love you,
Joe
Monday, February 2, 2015
From the Pastor's Heart
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37
This seems a strange thing for an all knowing God to command of His ever sinning followers. If God is all knowing, and I know He is, then demand what's impossible. Surely He knows that it can't happen, because we are feeble and sinful.
If we were perfect in love, as He is perfect in love and everything else, then I guess He could have what He seeks from us.Complete love from the heart, soul, mind and strength. Therein lies the solution to our problem.
We are made perfect! When we were born again, we were made over. Made perfect. Hebrews 10:14, "For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy."
Jesus is the offering that God made on our behalf. When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, He forever made us perfect in God's eyes. He no longer sees sin and imperfection. He sees the blood of the spotless Lamb, and He sees us a perfectly acceptable.
So! We are made perfect in love. We can perfectly love our Great God and King with a perfect heart, perfect soul, perfect mind and perfect strength.
So surrender to Jesus and start loving perfectly!
In His perfect love,
Joe
P.S. God ain't through with us yet. All of us have some growing to do. Perfection to reach. Christ likeness to attain.
This seems a strange thing for an all knowing God to command of His ever sinning followers. If God is all knowing, and I know He is, then demand what's impossible. Surely He knows that it can't happen, because we are feeble and sinful.
If we were perfect in love, as He is perfect in love and everything else, then I guess He could have what He seeks from us.Complete love from the heart, soul, mind and strength. Therein lies the solution to our problem.
We are made perfect! When we were born again, we were made over. Made perfect. Hebrews 10:14, "For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy."
Jesus is the offering that God made on our behalf. When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, He forever made us perfect in God's eyes. He no longer sees sin and imperfection. He sees the blood of the spotless Lamb, and He sees us a perfectly acceptable.
So! We are made perfect in love. We can perfectly love our Great God and King with a perfect heart, perfect soul, perfect mind and perfect strength.
So surrender to Jesus and start loving perfectly!
In His perfect love,
Joe
P.S. God ain't through with us yet. All of us have some growing to do. Perfection to reach. Christ likeness to attain.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
From the Pastor's Heart: A Call to Holy Living
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 So think clearly and exercise self- control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then.
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
Paul's words mean that all parts of our lives and character should be in the process of becoming conformed, both inwardly and out, to God's standards. After committing to Jesus, sometimes people feel a tugging back to their old ways of living. Peter tells us to be like our Heavenly Father, holy in everything.
Holiness requires being completely devoted to God and committed to living according to His standards. It means being set aside for His special use and purpose, set apart from sin and its influence. We are to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different for the sake of being different. What makes us different is the qualities of God being lived out in and through our lives.
Our focus and priorities must be His. All this is in direct contrast to our old ways, and the ways the world around us is living now. We don't become holy on our own or by trying real hard. God gives us His Holy Spirit to help us obey and to empower us to be overcomers. Don't use the excuse, "I am only human, I can't help slipping. You can trust His power to free you from sin's grip and to help live the holy life He has called you to.
Love ya,
Joe Gray
13 So think clearly and exercise self- control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then.
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
Paul's words mean that all parts of our lives and character should be in the process of becoming conformed, both inwardly and out, to God's standards. After committing to Jesus, sometimes people feel a tugging back to their old ways of living. Peter tells us to be like our Heavenly Father, holy in everything.
Holiness requires being completely devoted to God and committed to living according to His standards. It means being set aside for His special use and purpose, set apart from sin and its influence. We are to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different for the sake of being different. What makes us different is the qualities of God being lived out in and through our lives.
Our focus and priorities must be His. All this is in direct contrast to our old ways, and the ways the world around us is living now. We don't become holy on our own or by trying real hard. God gives us His Holy Spirit to help us obey and to empower us to be overcomers. Don't use the excuse, "I am only human, I can't help slipping. You can trust His power to free you from sin's grip and to help live the holy life He has called you to.
Love ya,
Joe Gray
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
From the Pastor's Heart:
Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip of every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And lit us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
The cloud or crowd of witnesses spoken of are the ones named in the preceding chapter. The witnesses are those, and all who have gone on before us leaving in their wake the life of their faith in the Lord Savior, Jesus. They have shown and proven that endurance in this life of faith has tremendous reward.
The athletic rider will dress for the vent in only that, that will not hinder, pinch, bind or slow down his or her progress in the race. Neither do we want to be slowed or hindered in the race of the life of faith. The most burdensome weight in our Faith Life Race, is the sin that so easily trips us up. A runner hasn't much hope of being a winner if he is carrying, a load of sin that he keeps on tripping over. There are enough obstacles, and yes enemies to this Faith Life Race.
And let us run with endurance. In the KJV, the word is patience. In the Greek, it's hupomone, hoop-cm-on-ay. It's translated: cheerful (or hopeful), endurance, constancy, enduring. To undergo, bear, have fortitude, preserver, abide, suffer. Verse three says; "Think of all the hostility He, (Jesus) endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up."
Jesus endured in His Faith Life Race. So must we. Tempted in very way as you and I are, yet without sin. He didn't load Himself down with extra baggage of sin. As believers we too must endure. Hostility and Temptation. In this Faith Life Race, they are inevitable. Don't allow yourself to be tripped up. Strip off every weight that slows you down.
Jesus endured. He is now seated at the place of honor at the Father's right hand. Because of your endurance in the Faith Life Race, you too are in line for a tremendous reward.
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He would not have set you on this course if He wasn't sure you could complete it. He authored your Faith Life Race. He will strengthen you to finish your Faith Life Race.
Why? Because He loves you!
So do I,
Joe Gray
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip of every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And lit us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
The cloud or crowd of witnesses spoken of are the ones named in the preceding chapter. The witnesses are those, and all who have gone on before us leaving in their wake the life of their faith in the Lord Savior, Jesus. They have shown and proven that endurance in this life of faith has tremendous reward.
The athletic rider will dress for the vent in only that, that will not hinder, pinch, bind or slow down his or her progress in the race. Neither do we want to be slowed or hindered in the race of the life of faith. The most burdensome weight in our Faith Life Race, is the sin that so easily trips us up. A runner hasn't much hope of being a winner if he is carrying, a load of sin that he keeps on tripping over. There are enough obstacles, and yes enemies to this Faith Life Race.
And let us run with endurance. In the KJV, the word is patience. In the Greek, it's hupomone, hoop-cm-on-ay. It's translated: cheerful (or hopeful), endurance, constancy, enduring. To undergo, bear, have fortitude, preserver, abide, suffer. Verse three says; "Think of all the hostility He, (Jesus) endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up."
Jesus endured in His Faith Life Race. So must we. Tempted in very way as you and I are, yet without sin. He didn't load Himself down with extra baggage of sin. As believers we too must endure. Hostility and Temptation. In this Faith Life Race, they are inevitable. Don't allow yourself to be tripped up. Strip off every weight that slows you down.
Jesus endured. He is now seated at the place of honor at the Father's right hand. Because of your endurance in the Faith Life Race, you too are in line for a tremendous reward.
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He would not have set you on this course if He wasn't sure you could complete it. He authored your Faith Life Race. He will strengthen you to finish your Faith Life Race.
Why? Because He loves you!
So do I,
Joe Gray
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