Beginning and Ending Well In Christ

Starting a journey, project or endeavor in a person's life is often begun with great zeal and anticipation.  Examples of those who started well and ended well are included in the Scriptures, and, yes, there are examples of those who started well and did not end as well.  Two examples are Noah and Abraham.  Noah was given a huge project.  Abraham was called to a journey not knowing where he was going.

During the days of Noah, as a whole, humans were evil and wicked.  These words are recorded in Genesis 6:5, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."  From the time of Adam and Eve and their fall into disobedience man continued to become more and more evil.  God covered Adam and Eve's nakedness with the skin of an animal after they tried to cover themselves with leaves.  God shed the animal's blood and covered Adam and Eve.  Hebrews 9:22 says, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."  

Then Cain, Adam and Eve's oldest, slew Abel out of jealousy and hate and was driven from them.  Then God gave Adam a new offspring named Seth and from that generation came children who sought God.  Enoch, Seth's great, great, great, great grandson sought God so diligently that God translated him into heaven.  By faith, He had the testimony that he pleased God and God took him.  And from Enoch came his great, great grandson Noah who was favored with grace in God's sight.  Yet, as a whole humans were evil and wicked in their thoughts and behavior and God was going to destroy them off the face of the earth with a flood. But one man, Noah, was a man of faith and found grace in God's sight.

God spoke to Noah to build an ark.  He moved with fear and finished the ark as God directed.  Noah, his wife, three sons and their wives along with two of every animal that could not survive in a flood, male and female, were brought into the ark.  God spared Noah and his family to continue His plan.  Yet, when Noah came off the ark he planted a vineyard, made wine and became drunk.  He wound up in his tent naked and asleep from his drunkenness.  His behavior along with his son's behavior brought on the disfavor of God.  He started well, preached God's righteousness for years, finished the Ark and saved his family but then Scripture gives the account of his drunken stupor and deep sleep that brought on a curse to a son that gazed upon his nakedness.  Noah began well but did he end well according to the Scriptures?  I do not mean to disparage Noah or his work for the Lord.  Hebrews 11:7 says, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."  He failed by getting drunk and allowing himself to be in a precarious condition and position. Ham's behavior was displeasing to Noah, Shem and Japheth and he and his offspring became their servants. 

Then, God commanded the three sons to disperse and populate the earth.  But people stayed close together and formed a large city and then decided to build a tower to heaven.  Remember the tower of Babel?  After there was no dispersion and there was no one serving the one true God, what would God do?


Enter Abram or, later, Abraham who God chose to lead out of his homeland.  He was approached by God and told to leave his country and go to the country that God would show him.  He left his country, and family of origin and journeyed to that "promised" land.  Abram was not a righteous man.  He was a pagan who worshipped and served other gods. This can be proven by the Scripture.  Joshua 24:2 says, "And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods."  Abram was part of a family that served other gods but God chose him to bless him to be the father of many people.  Abram also failed God at times but he finished well by serving God and becoming the father of the faithful. Jesus also said of Abraham in John 8:57, "Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." 

Let me encourage you.  Through Christ we are sons and daughters of Abraham.  Yes Abraham failed at times but he was still a man full of faith and served God.  Remember how he obeyed by offering his son Isaac.  Ask how many father's would place their son on an altar and sacrifice them.  Most will say, "I don't think I could do that." Abraham obeyed God's command.  So we are blessed in Christ to be the seed of Abraham. 


Galatians 3:9 says, 


"So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Verse 16 says, "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ."  We can build altars as Abraham did and seek God to live a faithful life through the grace of God.  He has called us and chosen us in Christ to begin and end well, with all our faults and failures.  Simply place your trust in Christ, seek the Father and live well in Christ.  Christ is the author and finisher of our faith.  That is His promise.  He is the better way.  Thank God for Jesus and His faithfulness and obedience all the way from the manger to the cross, from the cross to the tomb, from the tomb to the right of of the Father making intercession for us every hour of every day.  Through Him we begin and end well.  To Him be glory!

Several months have passed since our last post.  What better time to share a post.  There is a lot of controversy and a lot of confrontation over same-sex marriage.  People are squaring off with each other and the battle lines have been drawn.  In considering the issue of same-sex marriage Christians must not be self-righteous judges or like some in Corinth who compromised truth by condoning sinful sexual lifestyle.  The Apostle Paul stressed discipline as needed in 1 Corinthians 5:11  "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."


He encouraged forgiveness foremost. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."  The Apostle Paul was up on satan's tactics and he wanted the Corinthians and any other Christians to know the tricks of the devil.  He went to the heart of the matter.  What is the heart of the matter???
The devil is defeated!  The chains of sin have been broken.  The Apostle Paul says it clearly and convincingly "2 Corinthians 5:17-21 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
What powerful words for those who serve him as ambassadors in the ministry of reconciliation.  The cry of the Apostle and all who love fallen men, women, boys and girls is, "we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."  Christians, we must not classify sins as being small or large or berate the sinner for whatever the sin may be.  We are ambassadors of the ministry of reconciliation - bringing people to God through the Lord Jesus Christ!  The shed blood of Jesus cleanses, heals, delivers, and saves to the uttermost. He cleansed, healed, delivered and saved me, the worst of sinners!  He is waiting with victory for all who will come, confess, repent and be reconciled.  To God be the glory!

This is a special weekend for Christians all over the world - we kneel at the cross and celebrate at the empty tomb with our Savior, Lord and King.  When considering the life of Jesus Christ from the manger and back to the right hand of His Father, I stand amazed.  As the Apostle Paul stated in 1 Timothy 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  The greatness of God is shown in sending His only begotten Son to a world that needed redemption.  It doesn't matter what sin one commits, "all have sinned and fallen short of the grace of God" (Rom 5:12).  The devil and his deceit of man in the Garden of Eden was defeated by the one who prayed victory in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Eve was deceived by the devil but the devil was deceived and defeated by the Lamb of God as He was reviled, beaten, slandered, spit on, beat mercilessly, crucified, buried in a tomb and arose on the thrid day.  The Apostle Paul says it clearly in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8  "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Some time has passed since our last post.  We continue to seek God through developing prayer ministries in our congregation.

Milton has been actively engaged in completing his Doctor of Ministry degree and is set to graduate in May of 2013.  He is working long hours on his final papers, project and dissertation.  He is serving with Karen as volunteer Co-pastor as much as possible in prayer, evangelism and counseling.  I (Karen) am the Administrative Co-pastor.  We are seeking the Lord and believing that our congregation will engage the harvest by turning outward and leave the inward focus of self-interest and self-preservation.

We are seeking God for the necessary changes that will lead us into the vision and mission of Christ.  His passion led Him to complete His Father's will while He was on this earth.  He suffered, bled, gave up the ghost, was buried and rose from the tomb and is alive for ever more.  He is our Captain and King.  We desire to please Him.  Our prayer is that we can become a "house of prayer" and a "reapers in the harvest" for the glory of God.

CHILDREN and YOUTH SUNDAY

Children and Youth ministry and activities are emphasized each third Sunday in the main auditorium. This is a special day each month. We pray and prepare for children each Sunday.
*Karen will share a special message for children.
*Prayer will be emphasized and offered for children and youth.
*The activities, illustrations and songs will be for children.
*But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14 NLT)

Remembering Christ's Sacrifice and Celebrating His Resurrection

Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples before he suffered. We will be remembering His death and burial. He also rose from the dead on the third day. Resurrection of Christ is our guarantee of being raised in that last day. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19 KJV) He also promised, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44 KJV)

Come and join us in this time of remembrance and celebration on Easter Sunday.

Children and Youth Day

Christ Arose Victorious From The Tomb!

Children, Youth and Family Easter Emphasis.
Sunday, April 1, 2012 11am - 2 pm
*Easter Family Family Worship
*Easter Video (Scenes From The Passion of Christ)
*Easter Egg Hunt For Children
*Easter Family Fellowship and Dinner


Note: We are having our Children, Youth and Family Easter Celebration on Palm Sunday. Easter Sunday will also be a special service of remembering Christ's sacrifice and redemption for all people who will accept Him as Savior and Lord.

Have You Been With Jesus

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

This is a surprising statement by the Jewish religious leaders. The ones who had fought so hard against Christ and had him tried and crucified now recognize something bold and courageous about these "unlearned" Galilean lower class fishermen. These Galileans who had seen many miracles and wonders performed by Jesus but could not tarry and pray with Him in the garden. Further, had denied Him at His trial and abandoned Him at the cross (John did come back). Now in spite of threats, persecution, imprisonment and pending death they courageously and boldly proclaim their Messiah, Jesus Christ. What was the difference maker?

Let me share the difference maker. Jesus had told them on several ocassions that He would be tried, crucified and would die for all people. But there was something more and these disciples did not fully grasp the thrust of it until after it happened. That's right - HE AROSE FROM THE TOMB!!! You see there is something powerful in the words of these religious leaders that are powerful today. Though these religious leaders may not have known fully what they were saying, they realized these lowly Galileans had a boldness which was from Jesus and it was not the crucified body, it was the RESURRECTED Christ in His resurrected body. Thomas had felt the scars in His hands and had put his hands in His speared side. Thomas cried, "My Lord, and my God!" YES, they had surely been with the RESURRECTED CHRIST!

Have you been with the resurrected Jesus? The resurrected authority and power of Christ is real and available to all His disciples. The courage and boldness quickens is today to be powerful witnesses in our daily lives. HE IS ALIVE! He is sitting at the right hand of His Father making intercession for His Children. He continually says, "All power is given unto me in heaven and earth, go ye, therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all people and, lo, I am with into the ends of the earth and always." (paraphrase mine) Have you been with Jesus? Get with the resurrected Jesus Christ!! HE IS ALIVE FOREVER MORE AND HAS THE KEYS TO DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE!! HALLELUJAH!! HOSANNAH!! KING OF KINGS!!