And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 ESV

     When we read the account of the people of Israel in the book of numbers, we can see not much has changed as to the nature of people. They were going to a land promised to them by God; but in their travels to this land, the majority of the people constantly found reason to question and complain to God. They questioned and complained about the food, yet God supplied. They thought they were going to die of thirst, yet God supplied. They questioned their ability to conquer the inhabitants of the land promised to them, yet God gave them the land ….to the next generation of those who believed. God provided and did all that he said he would because God, our provider, is faithful to his word. God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 ESV When my children were young, I made the statement that one day we were going to go to a particular place for a vacation. My children would say, “Do you promise?” The reason they asked me to promise is that, as a dad, when I made a promise to my children I made sure I followed through with what I promised. They knew if I promised it, it would happen; but if I didn’t promise, it might just be something we talked about. I am just human and could fail, but God, in His promises, NEVER fails. Throughout Numbers, God always provided for his people, even when they did not deserve it. God continues to do that for us today as we travel to the promise land of heaven. So as we travel, let us never forget God’s provision……..
 
GOD WILL SUPPLY EVERY NEED. Be careful not to confuse “want” with “need”. While I do believe that many times God gives us even more than we need and blesses us beyond measure, we must be careful not to just consume, but also be outlets by which God meets the needs of others. But beyond the physical need, every person has a greater need, which is a spiritual need. The need of restoration and hope as we travel through life. The people in the book of Numbers needed to forget where they came from, and focus on where they were going. Many times they would refer to going back to Egypt, but the promised land would only be gained by moving forward, not going backward. They would want to go back when fear controlled their next step. Fear of hunger, thirst, or a problem bigger than which they could see a solution. By faith we must believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is our provider for every situation of life. We must focus on where we are going, and not from which we came. 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 the 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: 12-15 ESV
 
ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES. God, without exception, was faithful to provide every need for the people of Israel as they traveled in the wilderness. He will do the same for us today. Probably one of the most used passages of today is the 23rd Psalm….. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want……. Read the whole 23rd Psalm, which should form our attitude concerning living life everyday. God richly blesses us beyond measure everyday if we will but look to see him. He, who owns the cattle on a thousands hills, is leading us in every step we take, and providing all that we need.
 
IN CHRIST JESUS. As stated above, the greatest need we have is spiritual. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. Ephesians 1: 7-8 ESV Going through life is not a journey unless you know Jesus as Savior and Lord in your life. A short trip- yes… a journey- no. A short trip because it ends in hell, which is no destination one would want to reach because they were unprepared to meet God. As entering the promise land was accomplished by those who believed, so it will be by those who enter heaven.
 
As God provided all the physical needs of the people going to the promise land, Jesus provides all the spiritual needs for us to enter heaven. Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV There are not many ways to heaven but only one-JESUS. He is the road map by which we must travel if we ever plan to arrive in the promise land of heaven. Every other map will lead to road blocks or dead ends.
 
Let me close today by giving you the beginning point of following the map of Jesus. It is as simple as
 
A. ADMIT to God that you are a sinner. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ESV
 
B. BELIEVE Jesus Christ as God’s only Son. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16 ESV
 
C. CONFESS your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV
 
May I invite you today to join the journey of faith to heaven in Jesus, our provider.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 ESV

     Leviticus speaks to all the different sacrifices and offerings made to God for restoring what was lost due to sin. God will not have fellowship with sin, yet provided clear instructions to restore this relationship and fellowship with Him. This shows God’s abundant mercy toward us even though He was disobeyed. In reading Leviticus, it is clear sin needs to be dealt with; which ultimately, God did once and for all by sending His only Son. Jesus, His son, became the perfect sacrifice that took away the consequences of all sin and provided a way of escape through his shed blood and forgiveness. Jesus spoke concerning himself when he said, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28 ESV Paul spoke to this truth concerning Jesus in Ephesians 1: 7-8a ESV, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.” It is important for one to believe this in order to experience this forgiveness. Where would a person start in believing this truth and receiving forgiveness, ultimately restoring a personal relationship with God? Most people feel they need to do some type of work in order to make it right with God. I suppose you do if you believe the words of Jesus Himself. Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29 ESV So lets get to work by recognizing Jesus.
 
RECOGNIZE HIM AS FLESH…. “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him”….. When John described Jesus coming toward him, he saw a man. God made flesh! He didn’t see a spirit or some type of vision; he saw Jesus. This is extremely important because it meant he had life blood flowing through his veins. Blood that would be poured out to reconcile us to God. Necessary blood, for…. without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. Hebrews 9:22b ESV So we must believe that God was made flesh in Jesus. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESV
 
RECOGNIZE HIM FOR WHO HE IS….. “Behold, the Lamb of God”…. There were several people that day by the Jordan River where John was preaching and baptizing, and perhaps they all knew each other. But then came Jesus, not just a man, but the ultimate sacrifice. John was not about to let it go unnoticed that the Savior of the world had just walked to the river. Neither should we. When we recognize who he is in our lives we should announce to the world, “THE LAMB OF GOD who took away my sin.” In this we recognize who Jesus is in our lives, but also who he is or can be in the lives of all who will believe.
 
RECOGNIZE HIS PURPOSE…. “Who takes away the sin of the world” …. Jesus knew his purpose, and he wasn’t going to waver. When in the garden the night before his crucifixion he said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour?” But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” John 12:27 ESV You and I were his purpose. I once heard a man say while talking about the resurrection say, “Whats the big deal; He’s God, of course he could rise from the dead.” Let me give you the big deal… YOU ARE. He did it for you and me. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 ESV He died so that you might live.
 
     Jesus was a human sacrifice given for you and for me. The fact that he was totally God and totally man made him the perfect lamb of God to redeem us from every sin. He was sacrificed in death so that we might be living sacrifices. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV This is the least we can do….. to live for him who died for us.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him he said these words, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 ESV
 
     Jesus, in Exodus, is the Lamb of God, Deliverer, and Friend. Many recognize the fact that Jesus is Son of God; the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world. But I am afraid we live in a time when people are not always willing to recognize their need to be delivered from their sin by the sacrificial blood of the Lamb. There is a general understanding of sin and the need of forgiveness but not the willingness to want deliverance through repentance. Forgiveness? Yes …… repentance or lifestyle change? No. The story of Exodus is the people of Israel in bondage and slavery in Egypt. They were praying and crying out for God to deliver them. God sent Moses to lead them from a land and lifestyle of slavery. During the last of the ten plagues upon Egypt, a death angel passed over every house killing the first born male in that household. The only escape was for the blood of a sacrificed lamb to be painted on the door post and lintel. When the angel saw the blood, it passed over that home. This story of the people Israel is our story today in Jesus.
 
THE LAMB OF GOD
     When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him he said these words, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 ESV We must realize that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb of God that was sent for the the purpose of death passing over us. Death caused by sin. Without the blood of the lamb on the door post and lentil, death was certain for the first born male in the homes throughout the land of Egypt. Without the sacrificial blood of Jesus covering our lives, we are dead in sin with no hope of life. The sacrifice of Jesus, God’s only Son, should cause you to recognize the seriousness in which God views sin. Hebrews 9: 22 states, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
 
DELIVERER
     Moses lead the people out of the land of Egypt, but God was the deliverer then as he is now. God told Moses to say to the people, “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of Egyptians, and I will DELIVER you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched hand and with great acts of judgment.” Exodus 6:6 ESV When you receive Jesus in repentance seeking forgiveness of sin and freeing you from spiritual death, you can make the same claim as in Colossians 1:13-14 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
 
FRIEND
     Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:11 ESV What a picture as to how personal God will be to us when we desire his presence and leadership in our lives. He has already proven he wants to be our friend. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:13-14 ESV The writer Paul said, “For I deliver to you as of first importance what I received; that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures.”       1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV
 
     Lamb of God, Deliverer, Friend is who God, if not already so, can be in your life today. The people of Israel in the land of the Egyptians prayed and God took action. God continues to take action in the lives of people today who cry out to him. God continues to cover people with the blood of the lamb, deliver them from the slavery of sin and become a friend that sticks closer than a brother. May you be numbered in those who cry out to God.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1: 1-3 ESV
     In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 ESV
 
     God is the author, artist, and creator of all things and all life. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:3 ESV What an awesome God we serve. He is bigger and more glorious than our minds could ever imagine. Yet God, knowing we needed a Savior, became flesh. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have see his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ESV A Savior needed because, by the third chapter of Genesis, we read the account of the fall/sin of the man and woman that he had made and breathed life into. God chose not to destroy Adam and Eve but to bridge the gap of separation by sending his only Son to suffer the consequence of all sin. And this is where the story of Jesus begins – in the beginning of all things. When the serpent deceived Eve into doing what God had commanded her not to do, and Adam also disobeyed, the result was sin. Sin will always be dealt with by God for he is not author or creator of sin. Sin was the the result of the serpent’s deception and the woman and man’s disobedience.
 
God dealt with the serpent. The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and the dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he (JESUS) shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 ESV
 
God dealt with the woman. To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in child bearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”      Genesis 3:16 ESV
 
God dealt with Adam. And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of you life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the fields. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till youreturn to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Genesis 3:17-19 ESV
 
     In the third chapter, sin became a reality, but God dealt with it immediately as stated above. He dealt with Satan by informing him: I am coming after you. “He shall bruise your head” The “HE” is the offspring of the woman… JESUS- God becoming flesh in his only Son to deal with sin in the flesh. So the battle began and continues to this day. But in reality the battle has already been won by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Satan, however, will never give up and will continue to deceive all who will listen to him. Satan delights in causing pain which is always the consequence of sin. Jesus, the one who conquered sin in the flesh, has a different desire for your life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11 ESV
 
     The call to us is still the same in all we do in life; we must make a choice as to whom we will listen and obey. May your answer be as stated in Joshua 24:15 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26: 41 ESV
 
     The setting was the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus came here to pray as He had many times before, but this time He was agonizing. Only He knew what was going to take place over the next few hours. He was going to experience a mock trial, be denied by one in his closest circle of friends, and others of them would run away. He would endure beatings that would inflict pain so intense that it will take him to the brink of death. He would carry a cross upon his bruised body and flesh torn back, to which he would be nailed. No wonder his sweat became as drops of blood. (Luke 22:44) Jesus spoke to His Father in the garden and asked “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will,” Matt 26:39 ESV . In this difficult time of His life, Jesus prayed to his Father. His Father didn’t respond by taking away the present suffering of His Son; He sent ministering angles. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven strengthening him. Luke 22:43 ESV For this purpose Jesus had come redeeming to himself all who would repent and call upon his name. Redeeming them from sin by paying the price for that sin. There was no other way, and God the Father had sent his Son for this purpose. In doing so God gave us a picture of his love for us and how seriously he views sin. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV ….. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
 
     Jesus instructed His disciples what to do in times such as this in order not to enter into temptation… Temptation that will cause you to abandon everything you know to be true.
 
1. WATCH Have a keen eye for the lies of Satan. It is in times like these that you could question everything you know to be true. Have you ever thought about what was going through Jesus’s mind when he said, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” ? Matthew 26:39 ESV
 
2. PRAY. What do you do when life becomes so difficult that you are tempted to question everything you know to be true? PRAY! Perhaps you are tempted to run away and hide from the circumstance in your life…..PRAY! Your personal suffering may be greater than you believe anyone understands……PRAY! It is times like these when you may not even know what to pray because you are so overwhelmed; CRY OUT TO JESUS!!!!!!!!!!” The Spirit will intercede for you. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. Romans 8:26 ESV
 
3. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26: 41b ESV Jesus was totally man and yet totally God. When struggling in the garden, he was sent a ministering angel to strengthen him. If Jesus needed a ministering angel, I know for sure we need this even more. We are not made to carry this world’s load by ourselves. When a person attempts to operate in their own strength, THEY WILL FAIL ….NO EXCEPTIONS. Paul said it best when addressing the issues of life. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV  Which, if that be true, then without him you could do nothing of lasting value.
 
     Don’t be caught sleeping in your Christian walk. Be alert and vigilant in your prayer life. “Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV  In closing let me repeat the words of Jesus, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26: 41 ESV
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 ESV

     The statement, “freedom is never free” is true for many different applications. In America we live free by the sacrifices of many service men and women – some with their lives, and others who still carry physical or mental scars. Yet they all gave for the sake of freedom – freedoms all Americans enjoy. There are those who re thankful and those who do not understand nor appreciate the sacrifices that were made. Many who are truly thankful may never be able to express how thankful they are but will always try. There are others who use the very freedom provided, despising those who sacrificed for them. Evaluate for a moment what this freedom means. Freedom doesn’t mean you may do whatever you want, it means you may chose to do what is right. Then the question will arise, who determines what is right? Yes, there needs to be a standard or principle by which right and wrong are made clear. Where are such standards to be obtained? What person has the right to establish such principles by which others should live? Have you considered the one who paid the ultimate sacrifice – God the Father? He paid your debt, so you could be free. Free not for just a lifetime, but for eternity and providing you with heavenly citizenship. Citizenship that comes only to those who have been redeemed by the blood of His Son Jesus, the one who made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross bearing the sins of all who repent and choose to be His disciples. This is true freedom.

Permanent freedom! Jesus told those who believed in Him the way to live and experience true freedom.

 If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples: John 8:31 ESV When filling out certain forms for various reasons, the question is asked, “What is your permanent address?” This is where you live/abide. Abiding in God’s word is where the Believer’s address should be. Believers live and abide in Jesus who is the word made flesh. (John 1:1 & 1:14) In him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28ESB The believer’s desire should be to live with their address being – JESUS.

 And you will know the truth: John 8:31a ESV To know truth is to know Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” John 14:6 ESV Have you ever heard someone say, “When everything came to light we realized the truth”? Jesus also said, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46 ESV When you live in darkness you live blinded to the truth. We are all born with this blindness to truth because of sin. We were all in the bondage of darkness without hope/freedom until …. Jesus.

 And the truth will set you free: John 8:31b ESV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed John 8:36 ESV … Set free from the power of sin and its dominion and bondage in our lives. To give us hope knowing we are not who we were, but we are not yet who we will be in Christ. Freedom living in the grace by which we have been saved. It is making right choices and living the way he taught us to live. Freedom to do what is right.

 My prayer for you……. may you learn this freedom by experiencing the saving grace of God.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

For this is the will of God, your sanctification 1 Thessalonians 4:3
 
 
The word sanctified simply means “set apart for purpose” ( Wiersbe’s Expository Outline on the New Testament)
 
     I have heard people ask, “What is God’s will in for my life?” The answer……sanctification. Christians are to be set apart from the normal or logical way of thinking that the world employs. Ask yourself what does it mean to be a Christian; what makes you as a Christian different than the world?
 
First, as a Christian you must always remember you are no longer your own; you belong to God. The ultimate purpose of the Christian is to bring God glory and honor. Your life is no longer your own or just about you.
 
Second, when becoming a Christian, you become the bride of Christ. Your actions and thoughts are to be exclusively His and not shared with the world. Just as God ordained marriage between one man and one woman, He ordained the Christian walk to be between Himself and His bride. This was made clear when He said, “You shall worship no other gods.” (Exodus 34:14)
 
Third, God called you to be a vessel of honor. A vessel of honor because you are the temple of the Holy Spirit. To indulge in any behavior or action that is dishonoring to this vessel will dishonor God and fail to show that you have been set apart. Do not linger in sin allowing it to control you. The world may tell you indulgence in behavior unfitting for a Christian is normal, but for the Christian it is abnormal.
 
Christ did not die so that you would continue in sin but to set you free from the bondage that enslaved you and ultimately cost you more than you can imagine. You are to be more that conquerors in Christ. Possess your vessel in Holiness and Honor for it is the will of God and your calling as a Christian.
 
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. John 12: 46 ESV

When I was a young child, I remember a sleepless night due to limited light in my bedroom. This small amount of light only allowed me to see shapes of different items in the room, causing my imagination to run wild. I saw a man standing in the corner and a wild animal on the dresser ready to pounce. There were other images I saw that night that were all lies, and because of the low light and a wild imagination, I was robbed of rest. Hours I laid in bed with my focus dancing from lie to lie, only because I could not see the truth of what the objects really were. The morning sun rose and light began to fill the room and my needless fear was relieved as I saw each item for what it really was. When my fears were relieved, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep relaxing sleep….no more fear. I was surrounded by light. Three things Jesus reminds us of with the words he spoke in John 12:46.

     I have come into the world as light: The world can be a cold dark place, but when His light illuminates the darkness that overwhelms our souls, we can see. See hope where there might have been despair. See joy in the mist of sadness. See life where once death was the victor. See God as He really is … as light. God is light, and in him is no darkness. 1 John 1: 5b Jesus is God made flesh and is the light in our lives that will remove the fear of uncertainty.

     So that whoever believes in me: Believing is important because whatever you believe will determine how you live. The person that does not believe in Jesus lives knowing that he/she will one day die. The person that lives believing in Him will live knowing they will never die.

    May not remain in darkness: When using a flashlight, you can see far enough ahead of you to be comfortable when taking the next step. The darkness of sin overwhelms the souls of men that walk and stumble in its darkness. Jesus obviously is more than a flashlight, but the principle applies when traveling through life. Jesus is the guiding light of the soul that is overcome in the darkness of sin. He is the light that will lead you to an abundant life in Him when you confess your sin, repent, and believe. Believe that He is the light of the world.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David

     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. Philippians 3:13 ESV

     There are those who live so much in the past that it makes it difficult to move forward. It can be important to reflect on past experiences but to live there can inhibit new experiences and opportunities. There are some experiences and past mistakes in life that are best forgotten, but many times those seem to linger in our memories the most. Satan is more than willing to remind you of failures in your life. Jesus, however, is more than willing to forget your past and give you a future worth living. More than one time were people’s failures staring them in the face in the presence of Jesus, and He would do a precious work in their lives making them new. Jesus was and is merciful, forgiving, kind, loving, and more than our vocabulary could ever express. This is why in Paul’s writing of Philippians 3:13 he made three important statements.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own:
The life Paul lives, after coming to know Jesus as Savior, was dramatically different than his life before Christ. Paul could have bragged more than anyone concerning self righteousness, but to live in his past perceived righteousness would never allow him to see his need for Jesus. It wasn’t until Jesus appeared and spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus that Paul saw himself for who he really was without Jesus. A man lost and without righteousness needed to experience eternal life… The righteousness that can only come through Jesus Christ. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3: 4-7 ESV

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind:
I would dare say that Satan was more than willing to remind Paul of his past. I believe Paul made every effort to forget his unchangeable past to focus on his incomprehensible future with Christ. When I remember things that I wish I had done differently in my life, I remind myself of the grace in which I experienced and have in Christ. This grace and mercy causes me to love Jesus more because he chose to forgive me rather than condemn me. This is what Jesus did in the life of Paul, in my life, and in the lives of any who will believe and follow him. Remember the woman whom Jesus forgave; this is what he said of her. “Therefore I tell you, her sins which are many, are forgiven – for she loved much . But he who is forgiven little , loves little.” Luke 7: 47 ESV  The only thing we should reflect upon from our past is how much for which we have been forgiven. This will cause you to love Jesus and others much and to be merciful to others the way Christ was towards you. Other than that remembrance … move forward.

Straining forward to what lies ahead:
What does lie ahead in our lives? We don’t always know, but what we do know is that God knows and when we put our trust in Him, we can face the uncertainties of life. It is called faith, and in pleasing God, we must learn to grow in faith. God desires for us to trust him with our whole being. I don’t know about you but sometimes that might be the straining part. We can become so self reliant that we forget God. Our flesh can be so strong, in self will, that God is an after thought. I know that in the most difficult times in my life I would cry out to God, and in those times I grew closer to Him, for I realized my abundant need for Him. It is called growing in faith and perhaps God allowed those times to draw us closer to him. Let me encourage you to strain forward no matter what the circumstance in you life… good or bad. You need to know God will never leave you. Make it a point in your life never to leave Him, be faithful and live in faith even when life might not make sense. God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrew 13 :5b

      Be encouraged in the new year for God already knows all that will happen, and He has chosen to make you a part of it. Live it to the fullest until the Lord calls you home. The day belongs to the Lord, for he has made it. Rejoice. Don’t live in the past for which you cannot change nor improve. Move forward in the Lord living intentionally for Him to bring Him much glory.

Because of this Grace ~ Pastor David

    She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1: 21 ESV
 
     Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year! At lest that is what I heard expressed in a song on the radio. I tend to agree with the song, but there are some who would beg to differ. For me, I enjoy the season and the gathering of family and friends. I enjoy hearing and saying, “Merry Christmas” to and from those I meet. It seems to be a time when people are a bit more merciful to one another. A time when it feels a bit more peaceful. Not all would agree with my description or feelings. They miss loved ones who are absent for one reason or another. They do not desire to share nor feel the sentiment of Merry Christmas. Perhaps they would even agree with Mr. Scrooge when he says, “Baugh.. Humbug.” People do not seem more merciful to them and it defiantly isn’t peaceful for them. I suppose it depends in how you want to view things, for I believe life is a choice. It does seem to be easier and sweeter for some, or is it that they just choose for it to be so. I know for me; I could feel some of the second person described, for I have experienced some of the narratives as described, but I choose JOY. Some days are easier than others in making this choice but never the less, I choose JOY. Why? Because there is another song I have heard and it says, “Joy to the world the Lord has come.” I believe He, the Lord, is the reason for the season and this reason reminds us who He is.
 
HE IS THE SON: The Son of God coming and given to the world because of love. For to us a child is born, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. Isaiah 9:6a ESV  Not just any son but God made flesh in His Son. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14 ESV …. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. John 3:16a ESV
 
HE IS JESUS: The sweetest name I know, and I know it is to many. By Jesus, The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Matthew 11:5 ESV  You might be temped to say “I’ve never seen nor experienced this.” Really? If you are a Christian, you have been given spiritual eyes to see, the ability to walk in the Lord, able to hear spiritual truth, and have been made alive in Christ. I know you have heard the gospel of the good news preached.
 
HE IS THE SAVIOR: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV  If you know you have a home in heaven, it is only because Jesus paid the debt of your sins. It was necessary for Jesus to be born in order for us to receive eternal life by Him. If there was any other way, then His birth, death, and resurrection was all for nothing. By faith we believe and receive the precious gift of eternal life. The greatest gift of Christmas to us was Jesus, God’s only Son….born to die that we might live.
 
     As you reflect on this day, do not let the past rob you of the JOY of the present and future. Make the choice to live in JOY for it may be the only light enabling some to see in a dark world. A light that will be as the star that lead the wise men to him. May the light of Christ burn so brightly in you that others see the truth of the miraculous birth of Jesus.
 
Because of His Grace ~Pastor David