Pastor's Testimony

Pastor asserted that he had had a roller coaster 2018.  He believed that he was led to share some of his thoughts on his experiences which included the death of his father, the celebration of 20 years of marriage, and the wedding of his eldest child.
Are you drowning in despair and frustration?  Are you experiencing a crisis of faith?

1.  Learn to let things go.
     Pain can replace the security blanket, our trust in the Lord.  Let it go.
     Many good things.  Though many questions arose, God has brought amazing people into my life.
2.  Learn to let people in.
     Who has my back?  Who would believe the best of me even though they had heard the worst?
     Are we really bad at receiving gifts of compassion?
     Throughout the Second Book of Samuel the writer speaks of David's mighty men, men who knew David's strengths, who knew his short-comings yet men who were always there for him.
3.  Learn to trust Jesus as the Lord of your life.
     He is in charge; He knows what is best for me.


In 2 Timothy 1 we read Paul's testimony.  He is saved and called to the ministry of the Gospel; he suffers for the cause, yet nevertheless, he writes, "I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.."  (2 Timothy 1:6-14.  Read it.)

Feelings may get in the way, but know that He knows what is best for you.  He loves you with an unending love.

Pastor concluded the message by singing the song which has become "the anthem of his heart."

"I'd Rather Have Jesus."

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold I'd rather be his than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
Yes I'd rather be led by his nail pierced hands
Than to be the king of a best domain and beheld in sins dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning

Terms and Conditions Met

Today's message is the final in this series. Everything has terms and conditions. And so it is that our relationship with God has terms and conditions as well.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? --Micah 6:8

In the Old Testament we see that worship and service to God was overwhelming, what with all its rules and rituals, hence there was a continual disconnect between the people and their God..

BUT

 Jesus changed the game!

 The foundational question is: What do you require of me?  What's the catch?  He has shown you.

JESUS IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF LIVING THIS OUT.

1.  Jesus was perfect in His humility.  (When we don't get what we deserve.)

     And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. --Philippians 2:8

2.  Jesus was perfect in mercy.  (When we don't get what we do deserve.)

     He in mercy takes our punishment.  His compassion fails not.  God delights in mercy. 

     (Micah 7:18,19)

3.  Jesus is perfect in justice.  God is holy and there is no holiness without justice.

Justice always demands a penalty for wrongdoing.

Jesus, perfect in justice, paid the penalty for us!

HALLELUJAH!

Those are the terms and conditions   (Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 53:5, John 3:16)

The terms and conditions must be met, and Jesus met all the requirements!

NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

    Believe that He is Lord and you will be saved!

"We are really bad at accepting gifts."  --Johnnie Blair.*

Do not fail to accept the gift of salvation. 

Pastor Johnnie Blair

Sunday morning

*Some time ago vanilla addressed the issue of receiving gifts here and here. 

 

Love Mercy

Pastor continues to unpack Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Submit to God's will.  Eliminate pride; God will not tolerate it.  Pray for a humble heart.  Serve others expecting no return.

To love mercy one must first experience the love of Christ.

Forgiveness is a huge component of mercy.  Only when we walk with God can we be truly merciful.

Lost and hurting people are all around us; love them unconditionally.

TO SHOW MERCY
    1.  Extend His peace, not our judgment.
    2.  Share His forgiveness, not blame.
    3.  Share His patience, not our irritation.
    4.  Share His kindness, not our harshness.

Mercy:

Forgiveness and Compassion 

Click *here* to listen to the message. 

 

Pastor Marc Watkins

Sunday morning

Terms and Conditions

The message is drawn from Micah 6:8, "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

What is the point in claiming to be a Christian if we don't walk humbly, act justly?
     We are called to walk humbly.  The test of a truly great man is his humility.
     Serve God, serve people.

"Take pride out of the equation, let God take over."

Faith without deeds is useless.  James 2:14: "As the body without spirit is dead, faith without deeds is dead."
We are called to take action.
     To talk the talk is pointless if we don't walk the walk.

Be and then Do
     Romans 12:2  Transform the mind, become a new person.
     The way we think will be changed, and that will change the way we do.

Do justice, Love mercy, Walk humbly

1.  Confess our pride.

2.  Pray for a humble heart.

3.  Serve others. 

 Pastor Brandon Shroyer

Sunday morning