And God Became Man

Pastor's Corner  (Gal. 4:4-5) "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." As we conclude the Christmas story, it's important to remember that man is not saved or redeemed by the birth of Christ, but rather by his death. For complete salvation can only come about through the redeeming sacrificial death of an innocent one. That's why Jesus came, "made of a woman," and "made under the law." God required a perfect sacrifice to free us from sin. So, "God sent forth his Son  made not of the seed of men, but rather the seed of God. He was born righteous, perfect, and obedient to the law of Mosses, and because of him we too can become the righteous sons of God through him, not by our own works of righteousness but by simply trusting in him. Thank God for the unspeakable gift of Christ who left the glory of heaven to dwell among us, who died in our place, and gave himself for our sins!

 

 

 

Have you any room for Christ?

(Luke 2:7) "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for
them in the inn." Ever since I first heard this verse as a little boy, I
have been challenged by the fact that when Jesus Christ was born, there was
"no room" for Mary and Joseph to have their baby. When I was a child I would
watch a movie about the birth of Christ, and be saddened when the Inn keeper
said to Joseph, "no room." And all my life I have never have forgotten those
words, words that the Holy Spirit uses to convict me of my heart attitude at
different times. For, it's real easy to get side tracked, to fill our lives
with the things of this world and have "no room" for the spiritual. It's
easy to get wrapped up in work and other things that cause us to neglect
church, people, and God's  service. It's easy to become too involved in the
carnal, where we no longer have time for God and His work. So, how can we
know if we have " room" for Christ today? Take a piece of paper and write
down everything you do for Christ through your local church, leave off
church attendance, and then write down what you used to do. It's amazing how
easy it is these days to push Jesus into the stable, and have "no room" for
him in our homes and lives anymore!

The Archangel Gabriel

(Luke 1:19) " And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that
stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew
thee these glad tidings." The angel Gabriel spoke these words to Zacharias
the father of John the Baptist, proclaiming beforehand John's birth. Gabriel
was also the angel that visited Mary with the announcement that she would
give birth to Jesus Christ. Gabriel is God's chosen messenger of glad
tidings. (Heb. 1:14) tells us that all angels are, "ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," but why is
Gabriel mentioned by name? Well, the above verse says that he stands "in the
presence of God," and in (Daniel 8:16) Gabriel was "caused to fly swiftly"
to give Daniel God's vision. You see, Gabriel is (The) messenger of God, and
even though there is only one archangel mentioned in scripture, (Michael)
the defender of Israel (Dan. 12:1), most scholars believe that Gabriel was
one as well. The term "archangel" means "chief angel," and certainly Gabriel
is one of the chief ones, for Gabriel was the only one given the privilege
of proclaiming the greatest announcement ever made to man,  the birth of
Jesus Christ! 

“Thanks – Giving”

In a few weeks we will be celebrating “Thanksgiving.” The true meaning of thanksgiving can simply be understood by dividing the two words that make up its name. “Thanks,” meaning to be thankful for, and “Giving,” meaning that we share that which we are thankful for. In the OT when the Jew was thankful to God, he would offer back to God the best of his flock, and the best of all his increase. Therefore being thankful is a state of mind that appreciates what God has freely given to us, so that we share it with others as God shared it with us. Being thankful doesn't look at what we don't have, but rather it shares the best of what we do have.  As Christians we have been given so much in Christ Jesus. Take our salvation, we didn't earn it, or work for it, all we did was accept God’s gift that He freely shared with us. The Bible says, that God so loved us that He shared Jesus Christ with us, and God expects us to share and give to others as Christ gave. In (Luke 17: 11-19) ten lepers were cleansed from their leprosy by Jesus, and although all 10 were cleansed, only one had the true spirit of Thanks-giving. He came back and desired to give himself back to Christ. Why, because he was truly thankful! I wonder how many of us truly appreciate not only our salvation, but all that has been given to us freely in Christ. If we really did, wouldn't we be more thankful also and share not just Jesus with others, but also ourselves, and all that we have been given as well ?

“Giving Thanks Through Giving”

(2Co 9:12) "For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God."  In this  verse the Apostle Paul is teaching the Corinthian Church about the importance of giving financial help (or this service) to missionaries and others who are sharing the Word of God, because they glorify God with many thanksgivings on our behalf. (9:13) also goes on to say, "Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;" Giving to Faith Promise Missions is in itself a ministry (or ministration) of helping missionaries reach the world with the gospel. Paul calls it here an "experiment" (or way that we prove our faith and glorify God). As we celebrate another thanksgiving, we need to remember that God is the one who deserves all the thanks and glory for that we give, and for all that our giving accomplishes on mission field. When we give to FP we are not just giving money, but rather "glory" to a God that has blessed us in such a way, that he lets us help out!

“Jacob’s Lesson Of Faith”

(Gen. 32:24) "And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." In the above verse, God brought Jacob to the place where he must now face his brother Esau. Twenty years earlier he tricked Esau out of his birthright and the blessing of God, and Esau vowed to kill him. This night while Jacob was left alone in his tent, a man suddenly appeared in the dark and began to wrestle with him. Jacob knew that this man was sent from God, but little did Jacob know that this night he was wrestling not with an angel or a  man, but rather the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jacob would later say, "for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Just like Jacob, there needs to be a time in our life where we stop wrestling in the flesh,  and surrender to God’s will and way for our lives. That night God changed a conniving Jacob into a Prince called Israel, for God said,  "for thou has power with God and with men. Once the wrestling was over Jacob learned that his true power was not in his ability to manipulate but rather in his ability to simply trust God to handle his problems. By the time Esau arrived God had already changed the heart of Esau from  hatred to a love for his brother.  Jacob was never the same, and neither will we be once we realize that God's power and blessing is not acquired by the works of our flesh, but rather by our faith in a prayer answering God.

“All Things Work Together For Good”

(Rom. 8:28) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  There is probably not a better lesson to learn in life than the lesson that the above verse teaches.  God wants all believers to know that whatever happens to us in this life, that He will use it for our good and his purpose, if we continue to love and trust him. God in his sovereign will, chose us, and called us to fulfill his will in this life, so that we accomplish that which he has already purposed for us to do. In short, whatever happens to us is already approved and purposed for his glory and our good. God never causes bad things to happen to you, but he does use them to build in us his character, so that we might use it for a better good. In the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis, God used the bad things that Joseph's brothers did to him, the years of being imprisoned falsely, and the wisdom that he gained along the way, to build in him the character and ability of a great leader who not only saved Egypt from famine, but who also brought Israel into Egypt to fulfill the will of God

“The False Religion Of Babel”

(Gen. 11:4) "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name…" Little is mentioned in this passage concerning the great sin of the people of Babel, but there is much here that angered God. 1) "And they said, Go let us build" The purpose of the tower of Babel was to create an alternate way to reach heaven apart from God. They agreed together, (under the leadership of Nimrod) to construct a man-made system of salvation and worship. 2)"And let us make a name."  Satan's plan since the beginning of time has been to place his name above Jesus Christ, the glory of God, and the Word of God. Since Babel, Satan's methods have not changed, for he is still using compromise, and ecumenicalism to deceive. That's why in (Rev.17:5) God named the final state of Satan's apostate religion MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Babylon's corrupted "name" has infiltrated every religion to some degree through idolatry, astrology, sorcery, witchcraft, and paganism. May God help us to discern the truth of God's Word, from the error of Babylon in this day in which we live!

The Purpose Of Abiding In Christ

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."   Abiding in the vine of Christ has a purpose.  1) Reproductive. The only way that someone can lead a soul to the Lord or acquire the godly character of Jesus is to abide with Jesus in a personal relationship. God desires to use us to bring forth the fruit of Christ into the world. We do so as we draw from the vine of Christ and his word. 2. Reconstructive. The Father is one that prunes our lives to remove the bad and unprofitable things that cause us not to bear more fruit. Daily, our God is at work perfecting us and instructing us as to the way of the Lord more perfectly. 3) Rewarding. Everyday God promises those that abide in him, spiritual fruit, souls, answered prayer, joy, love, peace, and a friendship that no man can  ever take away.

The Resurrection Of The Dead

(John 11:25) "… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" Many verses in the Bible speak of the resurrection of the dead, but not one is more important than this one. Jesus said "he is the" resurrection and the life, for there is no other. The resurrection is a promise made by God to man that though a man's body dies yet shall "he live," and not just his soul and spirit but also the body that he was born with. This might seem strange but God is interested not just in the redemption of the soul and spirit of man but also in resurrecting and redeeming his flesh. "even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:23).  "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil 3:21). When a man dies his flesh sleeps waiting for the glorious day when God shall resurrect and refashion that which was corrupted by sin. The resurrection will be a glorious day for God's redemption will then be complete, and all of death "shall be swallowed up in victory." For our victory is found only in Christ.

Which Father Is Your Father

(John 8:38) " I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father." In the above verse Jesus made it clear to the Pharisees that the reason they didn't hear or believe in him was because they were of the offspring of Satan. (44) "Ye are of your father the devil." When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they lost the goodness and perfection of creation, and because they lost it ever since man has been deceived by Satan. Ever since, man's ears and eyes have been blinded, but if a man will repent of his sin, his spiritual sight and hearing can be restored again. Once saved the curse and wrath of God is removed, and the adoption process of God makes him once again a child of God, but be careful the teachings of this world's father are very different from the teachings of our Heavenly Father. We therefore must study and learn the Word of God for ourselves least we continue to be deceived and blinded by Satan. The family today is very messed up, and it's messed up because the philosophy and ways of the world are patterned after the teachings of Satan our sinful father and not God our Heavenly Father.

Brethren,  Jesus ought to be our example of Fatherhood, he was a perfect reflection of his Father. Follow him and your home and life will be blessed.

The Good Shepherd

(John 10:11) "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." As we look at this text we see that Jesus was again preaching specifically to the Pharisees about what a proper shepherd should be. Jesus related the job of a good shepherd to that of a "porter" or watcher who is left in charge of feeding the shepherd's sheep in his absence. A good shepherd ought to be faithful and willing to protect and even die for the sheep that have been placed into his trust. Jesus wanted the Pharisees to understand that they had lost their purpose and had become "hirelings" rather than shepherds. (13) "The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." Brethren we have a great shepherd whose name is Jesus Christ. He has promised us in his Word that he will "never leave us nor forsake us." He is a good shepherd because he was willing to lay down his life for us on the cross. (18) "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. Jesus came to save and keep God's sheep till He returns. That’s why true sheep here his voice and follow. The sheepfold is the Church, and Jesus Christ the door into it.  "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

 

Unbelief Makes The Heart Even Harder

(John 9:39)  "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind." The above verse teaches us about the importance of believing God's Word when we hear it. Naturally, all men are blind to the truth of God because of their sin nature. So, to open the eyes of men God chose the foolishness of preaching His Word (1 Cor. 1:21). However, the problem with man is in his heart. Too often the Word of God is preached and because a man's heart is hard or indifferent to the message or the messenger, he will reject what he hears in unbelief, making himself even blinder and harder. If a preacher is preaching and explaining God's Word, he stands as an ambassador of God. Be careful when you hear God's Word, it's not the preacher's word it's God's. If we will both listen and obey, we will see the truth and that truth will  both save us and protect us in this life, but if we reject it be afraid, our disbelief will cause us an even greater judgment. Oh listen, God desires that all men see His truth.   (Jn.8:32)  "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Door To Door Evangelism I Still In God’s Plan

(Mark 6:7) "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;" Beginning this June, I would like to begin a new calling program on Saturdays that will take a step of faith and a commitment to carry out. It will take partners of two people willing to go out and canvass specific areas of West Salem together with tracts and the gospel. Brethren, door to door calling is not popular in churches today mainly because it has been dominated by such cults as the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons, but can I say it is still very much in God's plan for evangelism. I personally believe that most won't do it simply out of fear, and some Pastors today will even go as far as to say that the method is old fashioned and that it doesn't work anymore. Satan has managed to discourage the Church into thinking that the only way a church will grow is by friendship evangelism, but this is not true. Most people in West Salem do not have a church, and those that do seldom attend. Listen, I realize that most Christians won't do this, but what I truly need is just a few who will.  Please pray about becoming a part!

 

Why Sorrow Like The Unbeliever?

(John 20:15) "Woman, why weepest thou?" Mary Magdalene was asked this question by Jesus immediately after the resurrection because he wanted her not sorrow as those who have no hope. The Resurrection ought to bring much comfort to those who are saved. Why? 1) It Relieves the pain of mourning. (John 11:25) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" The saved know what God promises concerning the dead in Christ.  2) It Restores our fellowship with God. (1 John 2:1) "…And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" No matter what the sin is that we have committed after salvation, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf and forgiving our trespasses. 3) It Reconciles us to God forever. (Heb 10:14) "For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." In other words, forever we cannot lose our salvation once we are saved or sanctified. We who are saved have no reason to react or sorrow in life as those that believe not. For we trust in a living Savior, and not some dead religious prophet that still lies in the grave. Our Savior lives, therefore we know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and life.

Jesus, The Lamb Of God

Nearly 2000 years ago Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, commemorating what we call his “Triumphal Entry.” Crowds of Jews cheered and laid palm leaves in his way as they gave glory to God for this mighty man that was able to do many miracles among them. As he rode into Jerusalem they cried, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest,” but little did they realize the great significance of his coming. On that same day nearly 1500 years earlier, Moses instructed Israel to choose out a lamb on the 10th day of April, to be slaughtered on the 14th day. It was a Passover lamb who's blood was to be spread upon the door posts & lintels to protect the first born of Israel from the angel of death in Egypt.  1500 years later on the Sunday we call "Palm Sunday," God’s chosen lamb (Jesus) entered Jerusalem to lay down his life for us. He entered Jerusalem on the 10th and was killed on the 14th which was Thursday. Brethren, God was the one who gave Jesus to us as the final sacrifice for sin, so that whosoever after will put their faith and trust in him could be saved.

 

Is God Your Father ?

(John 5:17) "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." One of the greatest truths that is taught in the New Testament is the truth that God can be "our Father." The world thinks that God is our Father from birth, but that is not taught in scripture. The only way that one can become a child of God is to be "born again" into the family of God. Until then, one is still guilty of his/her sin and therefore not in the family of God. (Rom. 9:8) "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Jesus called God "My Father," and by doing so he made himself equal with God, for he is the "only begotten of the Father," (John 1: 14), (meaning that he is the only Son of God's loins), but everyone that is born again by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:6), can be "adopted" into the family of Jesus Christ and The Father. (Rom. 8:15) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Thank God that we who are saved can now through Jesus Christ go directly into The Father's presence because we are now "sons of God" (Rom. 8:14). Oh that we would truly realize both the power and the privilege of this great relationship with God.
 

God’s Lessons Always Teach Us Faith

God has a purpose for every trial and situation that you find yourself in, in life. Sometimes we as believers think that because we're saved we shouldn't have to go through some of the hard things that happen to others in life, but this isn't true. (Lam. 3:27) says that, "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." It's good, to go through hard times early in life, so that when we're older we will be stronger, more mature, and more able to handle trials. Peter also taught us that the lessons of sufferings and trials in life are needed for God to do His perfecting work in us. (1 Peter 5:10) says, "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." God's lessons are not fun, but they teach us by personal experience that in times where we can't, He can. The feeding of the 5,000 was a lesson of divine provision, where God simply spread the little that they had to supply the impossible. The lesson of the storm on the Sea of Galilee was a lesson on the ability of Christ to comfort us when in fear and in distress. They all teach us that God is close at hand and able to handle every trial that we may find ourselves in.
 

Worshipping In Spirit And In Truth

(John 4:23) "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." The above verse speaks of a worship that is in obedience to God's Spirit and His truth. It was spoken to the Samaritan woman at the well by Jesus as he shared with her, her need to drink of the "living water" of Christ. All who believe in Jesus receive this gift (or living water) when they receive the Holy Spirit's power. This power is a fathomless spring of water to those who surrender in obedience to the will and truth of God. Jesus said, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39).  Brethren, this power within us is able to accomplish all that the Word of God promises, but we must first learn to surrender to God's Spirit and then abide in his truth. Jesus said, "without me you can do nothing," and that's exactly why nothing happens. Staying connected to the vine is our responsibility, for when we are connected the rivers of living water will flow !
 

“The Son Of Man”

(John 3:13) "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." Just what does Jesus mean by the description "Son of Man." When it comes to the Son of Man, Jesus refers to himself because he is indeed the Son of God that is now born of man. Daniel used this description in (Dan. 7:13) when he spoke of the "Son of Man coming in the clouds" and being given dominion by the "Ancient of Days" to set up his kingdom on earth. The Bible teaches us in John's gospel that, 1) The Son of Man came down from heaven, for he "is in heaven" meaning he was and is from heaven. 2) The Son of Man came to be lifted up, referring to his death on the cross. 3) The Son of Man came to save. God's Son  came to this earth embodied in flesh, determined to pay for the sins of man, but also to give us the truth of his Father. And all God asks of us is to listen, obey, and trust in Jesus Christ as the Son Of God from heaven. Oh, that men would repent of their wickedness and come to the light of this truth. When God says, "whosoever believeth in him should not perish," He means that anyone can believe in Jesus, but they must believe also in his words, just as much as they believe in Jesus as their Savior.

“Ye Must Be Born Again”

(John 3:3) "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The above verse is probably the most important verse in all the Bible, because it deals with the fact that unless we come to God His way, we cannot be saved. The word, "Except" means "unless."  Unless a man has been born again by the Spirit of God (v. 5) he is not saved. I find it ironic that so many religions today refuse to accept this truth, or they twist it to include such false teachings as infant baptism, doing good works, or confirmation, etc. If Jesus is the living Word of God (John 1:1-3) should not his words be taken literally. Jesus said in (John 3:6-7) "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." In other words he was talking about a second birth by the Holy Spirit and nothing else. According to Jesus, Man is born once in the flesh, but he needs a second birth by the Spirit, to be saved. The Bible is clear that in order to be born again one must see himself a sinner, repent, and then call upon Jesus to save him (Romans 10:9-13). Unless he does that, "he cannot see God's kingdom."
 
 

Our Call To Discipleship

(John 1:37) "And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." Discipleship is what Christianity is all about. 1) We are called to be "disciples." Both John the Baptist and Jesus were, and their goal was to train believers to be followers of Jesus Christ. 2) We are called to make disciples.  Disciples or new converts don't just appear out of thin air, no they are gained by the soul winning efforts of the saved. (Matt. 28:18-19) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:..," therefore we are commanded to seek out disciples and then disciple them. 3) We are commanded to train disciples. Once we lead a soul to the Lord God expects us to bring them into the Church, see them baptized, and then trained. To birth them and not follow up on them would not be in obedience to the Great Commission of Matthew 28. Therefore, it is our calling to go, make, and teach disciples for Christ out of every nation and tongue.
 

A Man Sent From God

(John 1:6-8) "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe." 400 hundred years after the writing of the prophet Malachi came the last of the Old Testament prophets and the first of the New Testament, and his name was John the Baptist. According to scripture he was sent by God himself to a lost and confused Israel, to turn them from their sin and back to God. And so he came 1) Sent as an answer to the prayer of his parents Elizabeth and Zacharias (Luke 1:13). 2) Sent full of the Holy Ghost from birth, (Luke 1:15). 3) Sent to the children of Israel to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, (Luke 1;17). 4) Sent to bear witness of the true light that came into the world, Jesus Christ, (Jn 1:7,8). 5) Sent to Baptize, (Jn 1:33). God had a specific purpose for sending John, but in addition to the above, he came as a  perfect example of faith, diligence, and an uncompromising message, and yet our message today is greater! For we have the complete gospel. John died before the crucifixion, and resurrection, so we have a greater gospel to tell. May the Lord help us to follow such a great example and take it to our generation!
 
 

Jesus Is God In The Flesh

(John 1:1-3) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." It's hard to believe after reading these verses that some people still struggle with Jesus being God. In fact the scriptures teach us that the closer we see the day of Jesus' return, the more this truth will be under attack. 1) Jesus is the Word. The "Word," in the Greek means that he "was the Logos." A name given only to him who afterward became flesh, or was incarnate (Joh 1:14)--that is, given only to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God" (Rev.19:13). 2) Jesus is God. He also is the only one that "made everything that is made," as stated clearly in (Gen.1:1). "The same was in the beginning with God." From before the creation of the world Jesus was God the Son. From his pre-incarnate appearances in the OT, to his earthly miracles, to his clear teachings that he had the power on earth to forgive sin, Jesus proved that he was God. For as his Word says He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
 

Faith Is Our Victory Next Year

It's hard to believe that another year is gone and that a new year  lies just ahead. As a Pastor over the years I have learned that it's very important for me to look back on my spiritual walk with God and honestly evaluate what I accomplished last year, where I am spiritually now, and what I'd like to see change in this next year to come. You see, we all need to set goals, and we all need some type of vision to work toward or we are doomed to repeat the same failures of the past. So, for my personal challenge this year, I have chosen the slogan "Living Faithful.”  In (Hebrews 11:6) God tells us that "without faith it is impossible to please Him," meaning that faith is an important ingredient if we are going to live faithful. The reason that so many of us make promises to change, but never finish, is because we try to make the changes in our own strength and not include God, but if we will just commit ourselves to being faithful to Him, and then set our goals, by faith God will help us accomplish those goals. For (Heb. 11:6) also says that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, meaning that if we by faith and obedience diligently seek a closer relationship with Him this next year, then that which we hope to accomplish will be our reward