Psalms85:8: I will hear what God the Lord will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to his godly ones, but let them not turn back to folly.
9:Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in the land.
10:Loving kindness and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11:Truth springs from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12:Indeed, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its produce.
13:Righteousness will go before Him and will make His footsteps into a way.
I was overwhelmed and cried tears of joy last Sunday when I was a witness to what God is doing in our church body. God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He is the one who puts highways in the wilderness and sends forth His water to the dry and thirsty land. We had 9 brothers or sisters in Christ who were baptized , because they wanted to be a testimony to others that they have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We also witnessed several children being dedicated and surrendered to Him by their parents so He can use them for His plans and purposes. Pastor Cliff gave a testimony about his parents doing that for him when he was five years old, and how his parents never stopped praying for him and how later in life, Christ led him in this ministry.
The Bible teaches us that we should not grow weary in doing good deads for in due season you will produce a harvest of righteousness. Sunday was the day that we were able to see the fruit that was produced by the loving kindness and truth that we shared with each other. Many of these people heard the truth about baptism and a lot of them are newer to our church so I am thankful to all of those in our body who extended love to others. May His righteousness that comes from heaven continue to pour out as rain upon us. There was also another invitation at the end of the teaching where several more people raised their hands to receive salvation.
May we continue to grow as a body of believers and show love to each other and to our neighbors and keep Jesus as the head of our church.
I have been keeping up with some friends blogs and here are two quotes that I enjoyed reading this week.
Pastor Cliff: I have learned that God is a God of restoration and reconciliation so if that is not happening the problem is not God.
Kim: I stopped praying for strength and instead began praying for Him to be my strength. Allowing Him to be my strength is infinitely better than trying to rely on myself.
To God be the glory, great things He has done.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Stand up, Stand up for Jesus, You Soldiers of the Cross
Matthew6:19: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20: But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.
21: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am writing this blog, because another friend of mine has a blog and he wrote about this subject, and I thought I might be able to have others read it who cannot find his site.
During the Miss America pageant at the end where just a few are in the running they ask a final question before they choose the winner. Miss California was asked a controversial question about what she believes about gay marriage, because her state is trying to pass legislation that will legalize it. She responded,"In my country, and in my family, I think that I believe a marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised. On the national news there were talks going on the next day that the statement she made probably cost her the title.
Her testimony showed where her heart is. She has forfeited her earthly crown and has stored up for herself the eternal crown she will receive after she is ushered into heaven after her life on earth is finished and she enters into the presence of Christ, her Lord and Savior. May we all be blessed by her courageous stand to guard the truth of the Word of God.
Thank you Paul , for posting this in your blog. I hope you won't have me arrested for plagiarism, but I wanted to tell others about this, because it is hard to find Christians who are willing to make sacrifices to defend the cause of Christ.
20: But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.
21: for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I am writing this blog, because another friend of mine has a blog and he wrote about this subject, and I thought I might be able to have others read it who cannot find his site.
During the Miss America pageant at the end where just a few are in the running they ask a final question before they choose the winner. Miss California was asked a controversial question about what she believes about gay marriage, because her state is trying to pass legislation that will legalize it. She responded,"In my country, and in my family, I think that I believe a marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised. On the national news there were talks going on the next day that the statement she made probably cost her the title.
Her testimony showed where her heart is. She has forfeited her earthly crown and has stored up for herself the eternal crown she will receive after she is ushered into heaven after her life on earth is finished and she enters into the presence of Christ, her Lord and Savior. May we all be blessed by her courageous stand to guard the truth of the Word of God.
Thank you Paul , for posting this in your blog. I hope you won't have me arrested for plagiarism, but I wanted to tell others about this, because it is hard to find Christians who are willing to make sacrifices to defend the cause of Christ.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Blessed are the Peacemakers, For They Shall be Called the Children of God
1Peter3:8: To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
9:not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
10: For, The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11: he must turn away from evil and do that which is good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12: for the eyes of the lord are toward the righteous, and his ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the lord is against those who do evil.
13: Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
Have you ever had an experience with a group of people that you became so angry that you refused to speak with them and you decided to abandon and leave them. I had that experience with my local church I am now attending. At the time I left I was just plain angry, and several people tried to stop at my house or try to call me on the phone, but I refused to talk to anyone. I started attending a church in Meadville, and was going there about a year and a half. I enjoyed going there at the time, but I felt like an alien in a strange land, because I knew where I belonged. But one thing I learned there was that God makes a covenant between Himself and those He has chosen, and they taught me the importance of loving my brothers and sisters in Christ.
On Wednesday nights it was my day off from work and I would spend my evenings walking around the town and I would walk past the Christian and Missionary Alliance where I have now returned. For a long time I would walk past and my thoughts were bitter toward several of the people there. During the summer as I was waiting for my ride to Meadville, I would look around my neighborhood, and I saw all these school aged children playing in their yards, and God started placing a burden on my heart, because I knew these families were not attending church. One day as I was riding to Meadville the pastor of the church saw tears running down my cheeks and he asked me what was wrong, and I asked him if he saw all those children and they were not able to hear the message of the gospel. As time went on that summer, some of the people from the CMA church had asked if I would begin taking care of the lawn again, and later on I was asked to do the janitor work again. So I began doing those things again. In the meantime, after I started thinking about these young people, as I walked by my church in Cambridge Springs the bitterness began to turn into forgiveness, and I found myself praying that Christ would give them a vision and He would begin to give them leadership and guidance, and several times I would pass and see cars and people gathering there as more of them were coming to prayer meeting. I sometimes saw them meeting and planning on Sunday nights. Someone invited me to the Missionary meetings in October and I decided to come. I ended up coming to it all week, and I tried to leave, but everyone was happy to see me back and wanted me to stay for the fellowship time. Later that month was the annual meeting, so I thought I should come to that to see how things were going. I saw all the people who were elected to the various positions and all those who were willing to serve in other areas, and right away I knew that something happened here and I wanted to be a part of it, and I haven't missed since unless I was sick or some other reason. It is so good to be back home again.
In the fall, Pastor Cliff arrived, and I was out working in the yard and I decided to go in his office and talk to him about the children and how I had a burden for them. As always, he suggests that if you pray about a situation, be willing to be part of the solution. When I first started back, there were several babies and very young children, but hardly any children probably between the ages of 4 through 13 or so. Gradually they began coming, and as time went on some people began seeing the need to expand the Sunday school program and people began serving in that area. As more children began coming we saw the need to minister to them during the week. Now we have a kid's club that is well staffed and many times we have between 15 or 20 kids coming and some of those kids are the same ones that I had a burden for. And as Pastor,Cliff suggested, don't just pray about the solution, but become part of it. I find myself now working in children,s ministries and I love it
Another ministry that I enjoy doing, is encouraging others, and doing those things that build others up and spurring others and trying to get them involved in sharing their spiritual gifts. It is almost as though I am doing the exact opposite of those things that I was doing before I left. I desire to cultivate peace among the family of God and we are growing and discipling each other and are giving God the glory. We are excited and zealous and enthusiastic as we stay focused on Christ the author and finisher of our faith. Part of a praise song I am thinking about right now goes like this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you. That means all of us and may Christ continue to give us a missionary-minded burden for the lost in our surrounding communities. I am so glad to be a part of the family of God.
9:not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
10: For, The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11: he must turn away from evil and do that which is good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12: for the eyes of the lord are toward the righteous, and his ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the lord is against those who do evil.
13: Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
Have you ever had an experience with a group of people that you became so angry that you refused to speak with them and you decided to abandon and leave them. I had that experience with my local church I am now attending. At the time I left I was just plain angry, and several people tried to stop at my house or try to call me on the phone, but I refused to talk to anyone. I started attending a church in Meadville, and was going there about a year and a half. I enjoyed going there at the time, but I felt like an alien in a strange land, because I knew where I belonged. But one thing I learned there was that God makes a covenant between Himself and those He has chosen, and they taught me the importance of loving my brothers and sisters in Christ.
On Wednesday nights it was my day off from work and I would spend my evenings walking around the town and I would walk past the Christian and Missionary Alliance where I have now returned. For a long time I would walk past and my thoughts were bitter toward several of the people there. During the summer as I was waiting for my ride to Meadville, I would look around my neighborhood, and I saw all these school aged children playing in their yards, and God started placing a burden on my heart, because I knew these families were not attending church. One day as I was riding to Meadville the pastor of the church saw tears running down my cheeks and he asked me what was wrong, and I asked him if he saw all those children and they were not able to hear the message of the gospel. As time went on that summer, some of the people from the CMA church had asked if I would begin taking care of the lawn again, and later on I was asked to do the janitor work again. So I began doing those things again. In the meantime, after I started thinking about these young people, as I walked by my church in Cambridge Springs the bitterness began to turn into forgiveness, and I found myself praying that Christ would give them a vision and He would begin to give them leadership and guidance, and several times I would pass and see cars and people gathering there as more of them were coming to prayer meeting. I sometimes saw them meeting and planning on Sunday nights. Someone invited me to the Missionary meetings in October and I decided to come. I ended up coming to it all week, and I tried to leave, but everyone was happy to see me back and wanted me to stay for the fellowship time. Later that month was the annual meeting, so I thought I should come to that to see how things were going. I saw all the people who were elected to the various positions and all those who were willing to serve in other areas, and right away I knew that something happened here and I wanted to be a part of it, and I haven't missed since unless I was sick or some other reason. It is so good to be back home again.
In the fall, Pastor Cliff arrived, and I was out working in the yard and I decided to go in his office and talk to him about the children and how I had a burden for them. As always, he suggests that if you pray about a situation, be willing to be part of the solution. When I first started back, there were several babies and very young children, but hardly any children probably between the ages of 4 through 13 or so. Gradually they began coming, and as time went on some people began seeing the need to expand the Sunday school program and people began serving in that area. As more children began coming we saw the need to minister to them during the week. Now we have a kid's club that is well staffed and many times we have between 15 or 20 kids coming and some of those kids are the same ones that I had a burden for. And as Pastor,Cliff suggested, don't just pray about the solution, but become part of it. I find myself now working in children,s ministries and I love it
Another ministry that I enjoy doing, is encouraging others, and doing those things that build others up and spurring others and trying to get them involved in sharing their spiritual gifts. It is almost as though I am doing the exact opposite of those things that I was doing before I left. I desire to cultivate peace among the family of God and we are growing and discipling each other and are giving God the glory. We are excited and zealous and enthusiastic as we stay focused on Christ the author and finisher of our faith. Part of a praise song I am thinking about right now goes like this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you. That means all of us and may Christ continue to give us a missionary-minded burden for the lost in our surrounding communities. I am so glad to be a part of the family of God.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Maple Trees by the Banks of French Creek are Preparing to Burst Open With New Life
Psalm1:1: How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2: But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3: He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatsoever he does, he prospers.
This first book of Psalms is one of my favorites. It reminds me how much I need wisdom from the word of God when I make decisions. I do have a free will to make decisions on my own, but I have exercised that right many times based on what other people persuaded me to do. For many years I have spent time doing things for others that they could have done for themselves. I have gotten myself in situations that made me angry and depressed because I didn't spend the time in God's word seeing what He wanted and what was best for me. For several years, I was one of those people who thought you could be a Christian without being part of a church body. That statement is true, I suppose, but after what I have experienced in the last two years at the Cambridge Springs Christian Missionary Alliance, I have realized that I need the fellowship of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I need the Godly advice they give me, I need the prayers that are raised up for me when I need it. I need to be encouraged. I need men to hold me accountable in areas I sometimes struggle with. I need to share the teaching of the word with others, and I need to sit under others teaching. I desire to be part of Christ's body and I want Christ to be the head of it. For the first time in my life, I am excited to be a part of a church where those things are happening, and I am making wiser choices, and experiencing the freedom we can have in Christ when we follow His ways. I am firmly placing myself deeply into this group of believers and growing with them. I want to be well-rooted so we can reach others in our community and that in due season we will produce much fruit as we remain obedient to the call Christ has given to us to go and make disciples of men.
As I was going to work today, I was crossing the bridge crossing French Creek and the sidewalk was covered heavily with the debris that comes off the trees after the buds first break open and the flowery part on the maple trees first appear. It isn't really very beautiful to look at, but after those fall off it is shortly after that when we will begin to see the first leaves of spring begin to appear. It is such a wonder to watch this happen. It only takes about a week for this process to take place, then we will see full-grown leaves and spring will truly be here. Usually the trees close to the creek are about a week or two weeks ahead of those trees that are away from the source of water. It is also true that in years of extended drought that the trees by the source of living water do stay green longer and they look much healthier.
Let me leave you therefore with this thought this week from God's word:
Hebrews 10:23 : Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24:and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25:not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
I became tired of living my life as a mediocre Christian. I want to surrender to the life of abundance that Christ has planned and promised for me. The only way I can seek that life is by finding it revealed in His word.
2: But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3: He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatsoever he does, he prospers.
This first book of Psalms is one of my favorites. It reminds me how much I need wisdom from the word of God when I make decisions. I do have a free will to make decisions on my own, but I have exercised that right many times based on what other people persuaded me to do. For many years I have spent time doing things for others that they could have done for themselves. I have gotten myself in situations that made me angry and depressed because I didn't spend the time in God's word seeing what He wanted and what was best for me. For several years, I was one of those people who thought you could be a Christian without being part of a church body. That statement is true, I suppose, but after what I have experienced in the last two years at the Cambridge Springs Christian Missionary Alliance, I have realized that I need the fellowship of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I need the Godly advice they give me, I need the prayers that are raised up for me when I need it. I need to be encouraged. I need men to hold me accountable in areas I sometimes struggle with. I need to share the teaching of the word with others, and I need to sit under others teaching. I desire to be part of Christ's body and I want Christ to be the head of it. For the first time in my life, I am excited to be a part of a church where those things are happening, and I am making wiser choices, and experiencing the freedom we can have in Christ when we follow His ways. I am firmly placing myself deeply into this group of believers and growing with them. I want to be well-rooted so we can reach others in our community and that in due season we will produce much fruit as we remain obedient to the call Christ has given to us to go and make disciples of men.
As I was going to work today, I was crossing the bridge crossing French Creek and the sidewalk was covered heavily with the debris that comes off the trees after the buds first break open and the flowery part on the maple trees first appear. It isn't really very beautiful to look at, but after those fall off it is shortly after that when we will begin to see the first leaves of spring begin to appear. It is such a wonder to watch this happen. It only takes about a week for this process to take place, then we will see full-grown leaves and spring will truly be here. Usually the trees close to the creek are about a week or two weeks ahead of those trees that are away from the source of water. It is also true that in years of extended drought that the trees by the source of living water do stay green longer and they look much healthier.
Let me leave you therefore with this thought this week from God's word:
Hebrews 10:23 : Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
24:and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
25:not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
I became tired of living my life as a mediocre Christian. I want to surrender to the life of abundance that Christ has planned and promised for me. The only way I can seek that life is by finding it revealed in His word.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Working Power of the Word of God Creates New Life
1Peter 1:17: If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
18:knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19: but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
20: For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
21who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22: Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
23:for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is through the living and enduring word of God.
This upcoming Sunday we will be celebrating resurrection Sunday. It is good to know that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is also working in us who are believers in Christ. It is good also to celebrate and remember that we as believers were purchased with a price, the precious blood that was shed by our redeemer Jesus Christ. The word of God has power and the ability to make us into who He wants us to be.
That precious blood represents to us that we are adopted as sons and daughters to our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful free gift that has been offered to us who believe. We are sealed with the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit as a pledge that we belong to the only truly one and living God.
It is such a blessing to me to see the power of Christ working in the midst of my church body at the christian and Missionary Alliance in Cambridge Springs. I have realized that without Christ a group of people can accomplish nothing. When we allow Him to be the head of the church that He will build, great things will begin happening. He can do exceeding abundantly more than you can ask or imagine.
As a testimony to others in my local church, I want to encourage you that people are noticing that their is new life happening here. Several people are noticing that there is always something going on here. As an example for this week on Sunday we had Sunday school and morning worship, Sunday night it was two Bible studies and teen youth group. On Monday night it was Alliance women,s meeting, On Tuesday night there is a home study. On Wednesday, There will be two home studies, and our regular prayer meeting at church. On Thursday morning is the intercessory prayer meeting. Thursday night is the Team Kids Youth meeting. On Friday we are hosting the community Good Friday service. On Saturday there is a planned bridal shower.
So as you can see the power that raised Christ from the dead is also working in the church body and as we are approaching spring and noticing the old things springing back to life once again let us also rejoice together as we see newness of life springing forth in us. And let us anticipate and be hopeful to see the fruit that is yet to come.
Happy Resurrection Day! Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive, Hosanna to the Highest!
18:knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19: but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
20: For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you
21who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22: Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
23:for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is through the living and enduring word of God.
This upcoming Sunday we will be celebrating resurrection Sunday. It is good to know that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is also working in us who are believers in Christ. It is good also to celebrate and remember that we as believers were purchased with a price, the precious blood that was shed by our redeemer Jesus Christ. The word of God has power and the ability to make us into who He wants us to be.
That precious blood represents to us that we are adopted as sons and daughters to our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful free gift that has been offered to us who believe. We are sealed with the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit as a pledge that we belong to the only truly one and living God.
It is such a blessing to me to see the power of Christ working in the midst of my church body at the christian and Missionary Alliance in Cambridge Springs. I have realized that without Christ a group of people can accomplish nothing. When we allow Him to be the head of the church that He will build, great things will begin happening. He can do exceeding abundantly more than you can ask or imagine.
As a testimony to others in my local church, I want to encourage you that people are noticing that their is new life happening here. Several people are noticing that there is always something going on here. As an example for this week on Sunday we had Sunday school and morning worship, Sunday night it was two Bible studies and teen youth group. On Monday night it was Alliance women,s meeting, On Tuesday night there is a home study. On Wednesday, There will be two home studies, and our regular prayer meeting at church. On Thursday morning is the intercessory prayer meeting. Thursday night is the Team Kids Youth meeting. On Friday we are hosting the community Good Friday service. On Saturday there is a planned bridal shower.
So as you can see the power that raised Christ from the dead is also working in the church body and as we are approaching spring and noticing the old things springing back to life once again let us also rejoice together as we see newness of life springing forth in us. And let us anticipate and be hopeful to see the fruit that is yet to come.
Happy Resurrection Day! Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive, Hosanna to the Highest!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Jesus:Rejected and Alone
Matthew 26:55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.
56: "But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets." Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
This passage of scripture causes sorrow in my heart. When Jesus performed all those miracles during His life, healing the sick, casting out demons, saving people from their sins, and giving to the poor during His ministry. All those same people who received those wonderful free gifts from Jesus, and they all turned against Him in the end. But as Jesus said, it had to happen so the scriptures could be fulfilled. The hardest part to understand is when the 12 disciples even rejected Him at His most critical time of need. His best and closest friends ran away from Him and allowed Him to be arrested. He must of felt the rejection deeply as He was part man and part God. As I get prepared before the time of resurrection day, I read in all the gospel accounts the story about the time right before the crucifixion, and all the things Jesus had to suffer before He died on the cross. The spitting, slapping, the 40 lashes He took on His back, the rejection He felt and the humiliation as the people taunted Him with unloving words. It makes me much more appreciative to know the actual cost of Him giving His life on the cross for me, He died that I might have eternal life.
So as I meditate on the sufferings of Christ it will help me to look more forward to Resurrection day, because the Bible teaches us that if Christ did not raise from the dead then our faith is in vain, but we know that Jesus did raise back to life again and the same power that raised Him from the dead is working in us who believe . So as we get closer to that celebration, take the time to tell others about the gospel message and what Jesus' death means to them.
P.S. I was recently thinking about a ministry that would connect Christians so we could spend time together during the week in between services and times of study. I sometimes have the feeling of being alone. I know there are many people in the church who enjoy hiking and going to social events. I was recently looking at some of the photo albums at the church and saw some pictures of church families going on a bike/hike in Titusville, and I also remember some trips we took going to Pittsburgh on a bus. It would be so much fun to connect with others and share those times together, but I am not sure how to get a ministry like that organized. I know with the economy like it is, several people cannot afford to do the things they normally would do like go somewhere special for a week, but there are many things close by, that are free or low cost and someone like myself who cannot afford to have a car, I could help pay for the gas. I was wondering how many other people are like me and don't do many things, but if the opportunity was there, we would be inspired to get involved if a group of others would go. Maybe it could be a special outing once a month. An example would be Presque Isle. Lots to do and see and most of it is free. If anyone reads this and has ideas and you see me in church, share your ideas and maybe we can get the idea organized for later this summer.
56: "But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets." Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
This passage of scripture causes sorrow in my heart. When Jesus performed all those miracles during His life, healing the sick, casting out demons, saving people from their sins, and giving to the poor during His ministry. All those same people who received those wonderful free gifts from Jesus, and they all turned against Him in the end. But as Jesus said, it had to happen so the scriptures could be fulfilled. The hardest part to understand is when the 12 disciples even rejected Him at His most critical time of need. His best and closest friends ran away from Him and allowed Him to be arrested. He must of felt the rejection deeply as He was part man and part God. As I get prepared before the time of resurrection day, I read in all the gospel accounts the story about the time right before the crucifixion, and all the things Jesus had to suffer before He died on the cross. The spitting, slapping, the 40 lashes He took on His back, the rejection He felt and the humiliation as the people taunted Him with unloving words. It makes me much more appreciative to know the actual cost of Him giving His life on the cross for me, He died that I might have eternal life.
So as I meditate on the sufferings of Christ it will help me to look more forward to Resurrection day, because the Bible teaches us that if Christ did not raise from the dead then our faith is in vain, but we know that Jesus did raise back to life again and the same power that raised Him from the dead is working in us who believe . So as we get closer to that celebration, take the time to tell others about the gospel message and what Jesus' death means to them.
P.S. I was recently thinking about a ministry that would connect Christians so we could spend time together during the week in between services and times of study. I sometimes have the feeling of being alone. I know there are many people in the church who enjoy hiking and going to social events. I was recently looking at some of the photo albums at the church and saw some pictures of church families going on a bike/hike in Titusville, and I also remember some trips we took going to Pittsburgh on a bus. It would be so much fun to connect with others and share those times together, but I am not sure how to get a ministry like that organized. I know with the economy like it is, several people cannot afford to do the things they normally would do like go somewhere special for a week, but there are many things close by, that are free or low cost and someone like myself who cannot afford to have a car, I could help pay for the gas. I was wondering how many other people are like me and don't do many things, but if the opportunity was there, we would be inspired to get involved if a group of others would go. Maybe it could be a special outing once a month. An example would be Presque Isle. Lots to do and see and most of it is free. If anyone reads this and has ideas and you see me in church, share your ideas and maybe we can get the idea organized for later this summer.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pastor Cliff: More Than a Teacher, but Also a Friend to Many
Collisions 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
7:having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
8:See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
9: For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
10: and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.
We are very grateful to Christ for sending us a caring pastor. We are currently being taught sermons on the life of Christ, and to live how Christ lived. We are being trained in the disciplines of Christ. That word discipline sounds like something a prideful person would not want to do, but if we remember the verse about if we take Christ's yoke upon us are burden will be lighter.
Some of the topics we have learned and will be learning to become disciplined in our what we are putting in our mind and how to control our thoughts, about the importance of God's word being our final authority when we make decisions, our prayer life, we must remember how Jesus went to the Father in prayer and how He said at different times He would not do certain things unless His Heavenly father gave Him direction. So it taught us if Jesus found it important to pray, then we also should see how important it is to have personal communication to God. Next week we will learn about forgiving others, then controlling our tongues, how the church body functions at it's best, the importance of thanksgiving, and stewardship.
As we have been learning through this series of disciplining and training ourselves in righteousness, many people have been stirred up by what they have heard. They have shared with me that they have talked with Pastor Cliff about different subjects and how he has been advising them and mentoring them in these disciplines of life. He has been very helpful to me in the area of budgeting money and finances. I have a long ways to go before I get debt free, but I have established a changed pattern and am well on my way. I have been able recently to have enough confidence to work on my own monthly worksheets, but as a way of holding me accountable to the process, he checks on how things are going. Some other younger couples have mentioned to me that they were also having trouble with their finances. As I become better experienced with the process, I am hoping that I will be able to teach others how to handle their money also.
Pastor Cliff loves people and loves his position, and one of the rewards he receives from it is when he reaches out to others when they are seeking answers and he can experience with them the progress and growth they experience from being obedient to the wisdom of following God's word.
3John:4: I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
7:having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
8:See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
9: For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,
10: and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.
We are very grateful to Christ for sending us a caring pastor. We are currently being taught sermons on the life of Christ, and to live how Christ lived. We are being trained in the disciplines of Christ. That word discipline sounds like something a prideful person would not want to do, but if we remember the verse about if we take Christ's yoke upon us are burden will be lighter.
Some of the topics we have learned and will be learning to become disciplined in our what we are putting in our mind and how to control our thoughts, about the importance of God's word being our final authority when we make decisions, our prayer life, we must remember how Jesus went to the Father in prayer and how He said at different times He would not do certain things unless His Heavenly father gave Him direction. So it taught us if Jesus found it important to pray, then we also should see how important it is to have personal communication to God. Next week we will learn about forgiving others, then controlling our tongues, how the church body functions at it's best, the importance of thanksgiving, and stewardship.
As we have been learning through this series of disciplining and training ourselves in righteousness, many people have been stirred up by what they have heard. They have shared with me that they have talked with Pastor Cliff about different subjects and how he has been advising them and mentoring them in these disciplines of life. He has been very helpful to me in the area of budgeting money and finances. I have a long ways to go before I get debt free, but I have established a changed pattern and am well on my way. I have been able recently to have enough confidence to work on my own monthly worksheets, but as a way of holding me accountable to the process, he checks on how things are going. Some other younger couples have mentioned to me that they were also having trouble with their finances. As I become better experienced with the process, I am hoping that I will be able to teach others how to handle their money also.
Pastor Cliff loves people and loves his position, and one of the rewards he receives from it is when he reaches out to others when they are seeking answers and he can experience with them the progress and growth they experience from being obedient to the wisdom of following God's word.
3John:4: I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
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