Jonah and Jesus; the only thing they have in common is that their names begin with the same letter. Jonah ran away when God told him to go to Nineveh. Jesus came into the world willingly in obedience to God, his Father. Jonah complained when God forgave; Jesus willingly gave of Himself so that we could be forgiven, and he even ask for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him. Jonah was buried in the depths because of his disobedience; Jesus was buried in the grave because of obedience. Jonah came forth from the depths proclaiming the coming judgement of sin. Jesus came forth proclaiming victory by satisfying God’s judgment for sin. One thing is consistent in the two stories – God’s forgiveness. When the people of Nineveh repented, God forgave. When we repent of sin today, God forgives. As it says in Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  I am so thankful for a Savior who was willing to come and die, as it were yesterday, for my sin, so that I might be saved today from my sin and be forever forgiven of my sin. A willing Savior who….

Willingly Came Into The World:
      This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 ESV
      From the time in the garden when Adam and Eve sinned, God made a plan to redeem them and us from sin. He would send His only Son into the world to through Satan’s deception. What Satan had destroyed, God chose to restore. Jesus came for this purpose: to save sinners.

Willing Die In My Place:
     But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ Died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV
     There is no great theological debate for this truth. You either believe it, or you don’t. It might be hard to understand why God would choose to send His Son to die for us, but He did. It can only be explained by love. A love that surpasses all our understanding and logic. It just doesn’t make sense, but I am glad it doesn’t count on my understanding, but rather on faith. Faith is believing that God does not lie; and that when John 3:16 was spoken to us by Jesus, we can believe it.

Willingly Forgave Me Of Sin:
     If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV
     Have you ever had someone do you wrong? Sure you have, and you can choose to either forgive them, or not. It is a choice made with purpose. It  doesn’t mean that you haven’t been wronged; it simply means you choose not to hold that wrong against the other person. That was God’s choice with us. He didn’t have to do it, for He was God. He could have done whatever He wanted, but He chose forgiveness, and I am so glad He did. God has always shown us by example how He wants us to live, and the ultimate example was His only Son on the cross. God washed away our sins with the blood of His only Son.

     Clean before God you can now stand because of His choice to love us enough to become flesh and live with us in this world, die for us in this world, and forgive us in this world. In doing so a person can have a home in heaven which God has prepared for all who believe, confess, and receive. Praise God for His great mercy and grace, that He would run to us instead of away from us. That He would choose through His Son to be a willing Savior.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     A new day … a new beginning … a new year … to be lived to the fullest one moment at a time with discipline, determination, and grace. Each moment in time you live only once, and then it becomes history. We should learn from the history of the good and bad moments, for they all have purpose in our future decisions. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes and build upon our successes. We cannot always choose what life deals us, but we can always choose how we deal with each moment. Life is not always fair. I once had a person describe an event which happened to me in my life as, “unfair,” to which I responded, “Welcome to life.” The old adage, “life happens” may be true, but take responsibility for what comes after that moment. Be one who conquers, not a victim to the circumstances of life. There can be many challenges in life when moving forward, and you may not conqueror the world, but God more than likely hasn’t called you to conquer the world, just yourself in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:37

     Have you failed in the past? Your past only defines you if that is where you choose to live.

     Remember, new day… new beginning …. new year…. so live!!

Begin With DISCIPLINE:
     There are physical and spiritual disciplines that every person needs to acknowledge in life. There is a statement that I heard years ago from a computer programer which I’ve never forgotten, “garbage in, garbage out.” In life, this would apply to one’s body and mind. In essence, we program ourselves for failure or success. There are scriptural principles which apply here to the body and mind. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12 1-2 ESV  Choosing to live as Jesus instructed us doesn’t come natural for us because of our sinful nature. Christian disciplines can be very difficult and attempting to accomplish them without the working of the Holy Spirit in your life is impossible. Commit to discipline yourself to live for the Lord afresh this coming year. Pray intentionally not casually. Be an example to others in Godly living, and choose to do what is right in the sight of God based upon His word, the Bible.

Continue With DETERMINATION:
     Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
     Paul wrote two very important statements above: “forgetting what lies behind” and “press on toward the goal”. We need always to live with the end goal in mind. There are goals which are not accomplished in a day, week, month, or even a year, but without a goal you will tend to just wander through life. A goal will give you a focus, and that focus as a Christian needs to be, “for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Years ago, Bob Dylan wrote a song with these lyrics, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody / Well it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” You will not serve God by accident; it will be on purpose and for a purpose. If you lose determination in serving God, you will lose direction and purpose in life service to Him. Be as determined as Joshua when he said, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve ……… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

Never Forget GRACE:
     There are times when disciplines fail and determinations wane, but never forget grace. Grace is not an excuse for failure or waning determination, but it is the mercy by which we understand that God saved us and still loves us. God does not wink at sin nor does he condone sin; for when His Son asked if it were possible for the cup of punishment for sin to be accomplished any other way, God was silent. Grace is knowing the consequence of our sin was punished on the cross of Calvary. In short, our discipline or determination will not be enough to meet the requirement for salvation. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)  We strive to live with discipline and determination because of the teaching of Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)… For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Which God prepared before hand, that we should walk in them. God did not save you to leave you the way you were, but to change you by the work of His Son on Cross and His resurrection.

     May I encourage you this year to develop new disciplines in your Christian walk and be determined to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. When you think you are failing or waining, remember grace. Hopefully this will cause you to love Him even more, and motivate you to look forward and press on and never give up. In the times you feel you’ve lost sight of your goal, Satan will remind you of your past and failures.
     Carman, a Christian singer, said this, “When Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.” The Christians future, because of Jesus, is heavenly.
     Have a blessed 2018 in Christ Jesus!!!!!

 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 ESV

     Mary had given birth to God’s only Son … Jesus. God became flesh and dwelt among His creation once again. The last time God had walked with His creation was in the garden. In the garden Adam and Eve knew god, but on the night of His birth, most of the world didn’t have a clue. There were a few shepherds who were informed by angles and went to see Him, and there were a few wise men who were in route following a star, but in the town of Bethlehem, no one knew. The town was full of tired, grumbling people who were forced to travel to Bethlehem to be counted. Joy might not have been their mindset that particular night in that crowded city. Many traveled that day to a destination, but no one traveled to see a baby that had been born. Jesus: born to to be the Savior of the world, to redeem man and to make possible the forgiveness of sin.

     Many songs have been written of this glorious event… Joy to the World …. Away in the Manger …. O Little town of Bethlehem … Silent Night… and on and on this list could grow. What about the song of YOUR heart? Is your heart singing with the joy of the Savior’s birth? It will be if you know Him as Savior. Savior because you have repented, called upon Jesus’ name, and believed in your heart that you were one of the reasons He came. Words really cannot describe the joy that comes from knowing Him as Savior, but the way we LIVE, can. There is not a cookie cutter pattern for expressing this joy as a Christian. A Christian needs to always live life giving evidence of the fact that they have been born again. Being born again means the Holy Spirit has birthed in you the truth of the manger birth that happened over two thousand years ago. It is the evidence of love, hope, and peace, being manifested in joy for the world to see. Jesus put it this way, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 ESV  It’s to give glory to YOUR FATHER!! Which means you are a child of God born of the Spirit into everlasting life. It’s all because God chose to redeem you unto Himself by the means of His Son. It’s HIS only Son laid in the feeding trough of a barn,  a barn that might have been used to keep the lambs being prepared for sacrifice. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46 ESV 

     My prayer for all who go by the name Christian is that you may live for Jesus, proclaiming His birth unto all the world. Be the light in a dark world, that others may see the way of truth, and evidence of Jesus. It is for this purpose we have been called. Let us share with the world concerning Jesus, the same message of John when he said, “Behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 ESV  With all JOY may we proclaim this message until He comes again, taking us home to live with Him forever. HALLELUJAH !!!!!!

 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV

     Peace. If it were a commodity, it would be more expensive than gold, sought after like treasure, and cherished as a precious gift or possession. Truth is; it is expensive, for it cost God’s Son his life. It is sought after by many, and is precious to those who truly obtain it. You could never buy it, yet it can be found, and is a very precious gift for those to whom it has been given. Now the question which needs to be answered is, “What is true peace, and how does one obtain it?”

Know The Source of Peace:
     Grace to you and PEACE from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7… 1 Corinthians1:3.. 2 Corinthians 1:2… Galatians 1:3… Ephesians 1:2… Philippians 1:2… Colossians 1:2 2 Thessalonians 1:2… 1 Timothy 1:2… 2 Timothy 1:2… Titus 1:4… Philemon 1:3…

Paul, at the beginning of his letters, has made it abundantly clear the source from which we acquire peace. People have searched the world over attempting to find rest and true peace for their soul, but it is never found in a destination. It is always found in the one and only person of “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Remember the little phrase, “No Peace No God…. Know God Know Peace”? It is not just a little phrase; it is absolute truth.

Understanding Peace:
     And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 ESV

     God’s peace is beyond comprehension, yet it is obtainable. It is a peace that is placed into your heart by the Holy Spirit that continually guards you life and thoughts. Because the world did not give this peace to you, it cannot understand nor comprehend it. But it is desired greatly, to have and to experience it. Peace as in Philippians 4:7 is given with instructions in the
nothing… pray about everything … in thanksgiving bring request to Him…. fix our minds on things honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Verse 9 gives us the promised results, What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.

Filled with Peace:
     May the God of hope fill you with all joy and PEACE in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

     This reminds me of the old hymn, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Blood and righteousness.” How else could you have peace in life than to realize that His Salvation is dependent upon His grace and mercy. How could I have true peace if I thought I had to live perfect or at least good enough to obtain salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It is the sacrificial blood of Jesus alone that can save / redeem me from my sin. Another hymn comes to mind as I’m writing this, “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” When Jesus grew to a man and began His earthly ministry, He approached the Jordan to be baptizes by John. John saw him coming and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes way the sin of the world.” John 1:29 ESV  Jesus, from the cradle to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from the grave he rose victorious over death. To this we can proclaim as Christians, “O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV We live in the peace of knowing God became flesh and dwelt among us and defeated sin once and for all in His only Son, Jesus Christ.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV

     The God of HOPE… who is the God of HOPE ? He is the God who by His word created the world and everything in it. He saved Noah from the flood, delivered Daniel from the lions, helped David conquer Goliath, and made Gideon a mighty warrior. He is God for whom nothing is impossible. He is the one that can make everything in life have a purpose for good; even if to us, the situation seems bleak. He is the God who gave us hope by sending His only Son Jesus to save and redeem us from our sins. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is Emmanuel, God with us!! This is just the tiny tip of the iceberg as to whom He is and the depth of His greatness. Such a great God gives us much hope; for not only is He in the world, He lives in us by the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit by which Mary conceived a child, now indwells every person that believes, repents, and calls upon the name of Jesus who is the only hope for the lost in this world.
 
LET US STAND IN HOPE:
     And NOW I STAND here on trial because of my HOPE in the promise made by God to our fathers. Acts 26:6 ESV
 
     We may not stand on trial as Paul did before Agrippa for our hope in God’s promise, but we stand everyday in the court of the people of this world. They are looking to see is we are living in the hope of the Savior of whom we profess as Christians. Are we different as the result of the promised Holy Spirit living in us as professing Christians? When we stand in the Hope and belief of all that God has promised and promises yet to be, we should display a hope the world would desire to have. Our prayer should be, “God make me a testimony of the HOPE that is within me; let me shine as the star over Bethlehem pointing people to you.”
 
LET US REJOICE IN HOPE:
     Through him we also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we REJOICE IN THE HOPE of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 ESV
 
     The word rejoicing as a noun means, great joy or jubilation; and as a verb, it means to feel or show great delight. Perhaps it is easy to rejoice when everything is going good, but how about when things aren’t going so good? The times it may become difficult to rejoice is when we suffer, yet Paul tells us, in the verses following Romans 5:2, even in suffering we should rejoice….. Not only that, but we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces HOPE, and HOPE does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 ESV Understandable in times like these we may not feel joyful, jubilant, or great delight if your are looking only at the the circumstance; but when you look to God to carry you through such times, it can change our outlook from despair to HOPE. When you rejoice in the most difficult situation, you are displaying trust in God who is greater than you circumstance. (Romans 8:28) Rejoicing in suffering may not come across in the same way as rejoicing when things are going well, but it is the evidence of our Hope in God that brings a Spirit of rejoicing as a testimony to glorifying God in every situation.
 
HOPE IN THE SAVIOR:
     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living HOPE THROUGH the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 ESV

     From a manger to a cross, from a cross to the grave, from the grave to live again forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Because of His life and by God’s mercy, we can have a life filled with HOPE . We are born again into life everlasting because God sent His only Son into the world to save us from our sins. What compassion! What mercy! What grace that God would give to us such a precious gift…. life in His Son!! May we live in the HOPE outwardly for the world to see the evidence of the the HOPE we have in the Savior of the world.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

Over the next four Sundays we will be celebrating Advent with a different theme each Sunday. Today’s
hope, peace, and joy. The word advent in Latin means coming. Not only do we celebrate the first coming of Jesus some two thousand years ago, but we also anticipate His second coming. Both His first coming and His second coming were and are a promise- One fulfilled and one yet to be. The reason Jesus came the first time was because of love, and the reason He will come the second time is because of love. Coming the first time to make a way of salvation and the second to receive all who experienced that salvation. His coming was foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament, and the people waited for years to see the promised Messiah who was Emmanuel, which means, “God with us.” Let us look at three passages of scripture from the many that speak concerning His love.

God’s Love, Sent Him:
     For God so loved he world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

     This is probably one of the best known Bible verses. The word Love in this verse is from the Greek word agape. Agape love is the strongest type a love one can have. In reality, only God alone has the ability to love in this way. It is a deep, intense, unadulterated, and the purest love described in the Bible. It is the make up and nature of God. I have tried many times but cannot adequately explain this love God has for us. It is a love beyond reason and makes little sense as to why God would choose to send his Son knowing he was going to die for our sins. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

God’s Love, Calls Us His Children:
     See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1 ESV

     What a privilege to be called a child of God. We are not called children of God because we are worthy but rather because he spiritually adopted us. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!  Romans 815 ESV  This is made possible by the mercy and grace of God. The adoption was sealed by the blood of His Son on Calvary and finalized by His resurrection from the dead. That is why when we pray we can truly say with assurance, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” Matthew 6:9 ESV
 
God’s Love In Jesus’s Promised Return:
     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 14:2-3 ESV

     God is faithful in his love for us. Everything He has made possible for us will not be fully known until this earthly body rests in sleep. God wants us to come live with Him in His house. Why? Love! Love that is beyond understanding. When God being God could have made any other choice, He chose to redeem us unto himself. When Satan desired to destroy, God desired to build. He built a bridge across the chasm of sin that  we might cross into His presence forgiven of all our sin. He chose to die for us rather than to live without us. So as a Christian your room is being built and one day you will check in because of the Love God the Father has for you.

Let me close with the words of Jesus concerning His second coming, “Surely I am coming soon.” Revelations 22:20 ESV

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     For the Day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. Obadiah 1:15 ESV

     The book of Obadiah points out how the Edomites (Esaus’s descendants) treated Israel (Jacob’s descendants). Esaus and Jacob were two brothers with a bad history between them that touched the generations which followed them. The book reveals the details of God’s judgments for the Edomites and the world who comes against His church. This book also reminds believers that God is faithful even when the odds are overwhelmingly against them. Because of their sin, Israel had been taken captive by the Babylonians, and the Edomites cheered and aided in the destruction and demise of Israel. Though the Edomites had much confidence in their geographical location as being impenetrable, God told them they were going to be brought down. God had made a promise to Israel, and God is always faithful to His word.

We have a New Testament verse that parallels somewhat with “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.” Obadiah verse 15. It is found in Galatians 6: 7-8 ESV Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption , but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 

     With this in mind let us look to Jesus as OUR RIGHTEOUS JUDGE . In doing so, think on these three facts.

Jesus did not come to condemn the world.

     For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17 ESV Jesus, through all the Old Testament, is the promised Savior; and when He (God) came in the flesh, that promise was fulfilled. Yes, one day there will be a judgement, but when He came into the world, redemption was His plan.

 
If you plant in the soil of the flesh you reap corruption.

     For those who live according to the flesh set their mind on the things of the flesh. Romans 8:5a ESV 
     For to set the mind on the flesh is death. Romans 8:6a ESV
     For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7-8 ESV

     The flesh tends to be proud of its accomplishments, attempting to bring glory to itself. It lives in a state of “I’m not that bad,” and tends to self justify things that are contrary to God’s teaching. This, in essence, is hostility toward God. This mindset leads to death, for it reasons that Jesus was unnecessary for the salvation of your soul. The flesh mindset is that of rules and regulations to accomplish Godliness rather than Grace. The flesh is quick to judge with no mercy, even though no flesh could produce the righteousness in itself for the pardon and forgiveness of sin. If you plant in this soil and think it will bring life, you will be looking at a garden that will never produce. This frustration of labor with little results will ultimately starve the soul to death in vain labors producing no harvest.

 
If you plant in the soil of the Spirit you reap eternal life.

     This is how you will be judged by the Righteous Judge if you plant in the soil of the Spirit.
     There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 ESV

     But those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5b ESV
     But to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace Romans 8:6b ESV
     You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9 ESV

 
     Are you producing a harvest resulting from the implanted Spirit of God in the soil of your life? It is important to always keep in the forefront of our Spiritual mind that we are saved by grace and not works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It is also important that you remember the Spirit of God did not save you to leave you dormant in Spiritual growth. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV … Jesus is the Righteous Judge, the one before whom all will one day stand. He will on that day say, “Depart from me” or “Enter into my rest,” based upon the evidence that we have sown of the the Spirit of Life…. His.

 
Because of His grace ~Pastor David

     And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15 ESV

     The Thanksgiving season is a special time of year. A time to be thankful in reflecting, pondering, and remembering blessings of the past, and to anticipate blessings yet to come. There are those, with the anticipation of family and friends who are coming together, that have a special joy which words can’t explain. Others experience the absence of those who are not able to join them for the time of the thanksgiving celebration. Whatever your expectations are for this
thanksgiving, remember three important aspects of life that will always keep you focused on what is important.

LOVE !
     Love is the glue that holds everything together. A love that binds everything together in harmony is a love that is formulated by God Himself. Without a God-formulated love, people starve, children die – those born and yet to be born, marriages fail, a country dies, churches close; those without Christ perish without hope, and darkness wins. The list could go on as to the tragedies that would advance if there wasn’t a God-formulated love. What does, “put on love” mean in the Christian’s life? It means to be as Jesus was, is, and is yet to be in a world that didn’t deserve Him. It means to be as Jesus when everything seems to be falling apart. It means to be as Jesus who came not to condemn but to seek those who are lost. It means to be as Jesus who was a servant leader to all those who followed Him. In short it means to be like Jesus.

PEACE !
     If true peace could be marketed, it would be in great demand as a commodity sought after by many. As Christians we are to have a peace that is beyond understanding by the world. This peace from Christ is only a reality when He rules your heart and you make Him your focus. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV

THANKFULNESS !
     Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5 ESV
     Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 ESV
     The word of God is full of verses in which praise and thanksgiving is given to God. May we live daily with attitudes of gratitude in thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. May we never fail to give thanks to God for all that he has done and all that He is yet to do.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate. Amos 5:15 ESV

     In the book of Amos there was much injustice taking place. The kingdoms were established and had what would be considered successful kings by worldly standards, but these kings allowed the worship of other gods, and allowed idols to be built in the land. The people had a form of godliness but did not live by God’s instruction. Thus, God was not pleased with their attempt to worship Him while allowing false gods to be worshipped. Remember Israel was a people that God had set free from slavery in Egypt. They were a chosen people to whom God had shown Himself strong, and had established them in the land against all odds. Those who were blessed richly by God were not taking care of the poor and allowed slavery by selling those who could not pay their debts. The same people whom God had freed from slavery now allowed it among themselves. This is why Amos was led by God to address the people of Israel. Amos, a fig tree farmer and a shepherd, was the tool in God’s hand to speak against the actions of the people. No matter what period of time in this world, God still hates injustice and adulterated worship. God, being a just God, sent Jesus to be for us what we could never be without Him. Holy. Jesus is our justice before God. God has richly blessed us and set us free from the slavery of sin, and expects us to worship Him alone. In doing so, it will open the gate for others to receive freedom when God uses us to establish this fact. He is just and merciful to all who come to Him by believing in His only Son whom He sent into the world.

We Should Hate Evil:
     Let love be genuine. ABHOR WHAT IS EVIL : hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9ESV.  To abhor evil is to have a disgust toward all that is evil. It doesn’t matter if the evil is in your own life, or if its evil that the world promotes as good; it is still evil in God’s sight.

We Are To Love Good:
     Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; HOLD FAST TO WHAT IS GOOD. Romans12:9 ESV  Do not compromise the call of God in the lifestyle evidence of living as a Christian. Being a Christian isn’t so much what you don’t do, as much as it is, what you do. Romans 12: 9-21 (ESV) describes it like this….. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent is spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Jesus Is the Established Justice:
     For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24 ESV

     Therefore, since we have been JUSTIFIED by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 ESV

     When we are covered by the redeeming Blood Of The Lamb…JESUS, we should desire to live for Him as he has called us to do. Amos addressed Israel as to a coming judgement for their unfaithfulness in living and worshiping as God had instructed them to do. We have the same call under grace to worship and live as God has called us to do. Grace is not a ticket to sin, …. Are we to continue is sin that grace may abound? By no means! Romans 6 1-2 ESV As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy,  for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1: 15-16 ESV

     Let me encourage all that go by the name Christian to ….Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate. Amos 5:15 ESV …. Jesus is that justice.

By His Grace ~ Pastor David

     Here is a thought for the morning…. Forgiveness….. Have you been hurt by someone? Has there been an event or circumstance that has caused you to struggle with the loss of inner peace because someone has done you wrong? Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgive x seventy = peace of mind and living the way Jesus teaches us to live. Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord , how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy- seven times.” Matthew 18:21-22 ESV  Forgiveness isn’t just for the other person. Forgiveness frees you and gives you peace of mind. It allows you to be like Jesus toward someone who may not deserve forgiveness. Isn’t that what Jesus has done for you? Go and do likewise…. Have a Blessed day.
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David