Cleansing Grace

 Blessed with a God of mercy and grace!

1Peter 5:10 “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.”

So why do we often feel like God and good are going on with life without us? Why do we struggle so with things we promised ourselves we would never succumb to again?

The answer lies not in whether God remains gracious, but how far we step away from the “fountain of grace.” That place is not a physical location; it is about proximity to God. Closeness of relationship and fellowship that is dependent upon constant communication (prayer and Bible study.)

This song moves me to always to draw close to the fountain of grace. 

I Lift My Hands

Be still, there is a healer

His love is deeper than the sea

His mercy, is unfailing

His arms a fortress for the weak

Be still, there is a river

That flows from Calvary’s tree

A fountain for the thirsty

Pure grace that washes over me

I lift my hands to believe again

You are my refuge, You are my strength

As I pour out my heart

These things, I remember

You are faithful, God, forever 

* Written by Louie Giglio, Matt Maher, Christopher Tomlin

 Chris Tomlin Video

Sunshine & Sons

I love sunshine! It lights my soul and encourages my spirit. I even had the golf clubs out. Yet, better than that, I love to get outside and watch my sons as they jump on the trampoline, aggravate each other in a game, work out or play catch with them; most of all I enjoy listening to their stories. Hearing and seeing their excitement while telling about their day's activities is like basking in the warmth and brightness of sunshine to my soul. Thank You Lord, for a loving wife and sons.

Fragile and Valueable

The lives that have been touched by the Boston bombings remind us how fragile and precious life is. Twisted, disturbed minds and hearts filled with hatred and destruction fight, seeing no value in those they seek to destroy. Yet, God has placed the highest value on every human life by giving His only begotten Son (Jesus) as payment for their sin. Justice will be served; however, we are called to leave that to the elected Government and God. Our mission is not to return hate but to offer life and hope to all we may touch. It is a dark world in which we live; in such darkness, every light of hope and truth can have increased effect. I pray that we in the Christian community that know the real love of God will be bold to love as Christ loves and trust that the love of God can conquer the hate of men and the light of truth will dispel the darkness of the lies that perpetuate such terrible actions. I pray for the casualties and their families for healing and hope in Jesus Christ.

Big Thank You

The other day I walked into my office and found my desk with 8 inches cut right out of the middle. I guess it is time for a new desk!  It has probably been over thirty years since updates were done. So, I want to shout out a big thank you to the men that have been vandalizing and remodeling my office. Timo Wiemero, Adrian Radita and Justin Nelson have put many hours into changing the walls, lights, bookcases and so much more. So often, in ministry there is a loneliness in the midst of the crowd and where every one has a need of their own. When this kind of attention is given for my personal benefit it really is special. Thank You.

Missionaries Not Mercenaries

Two critical facts separate Biblical Christianity from all the religions of the world: Jesus is God and Jesus came in the flesh to die for the sins of mankind.

(2 John 1:7) “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

The Bible teaches that each person must believe that Jesus is in fact God and that he died for the sins of all mankind, and also that individual sinners must repent of their unbelief and confess their need for salvation. Anyone teaching contrary to this doctrine is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Jesus did not destroy those who did not believe; neither did God commission mercenaries to destroy them. Instead, Jesus walked up Calvary Hill and willingly allowed those unbelieving soldiers to nail him to the cross that they might have opportunity to believe and be saved.

(Mark 15:39) “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”

Friends we must stand for the Truth as God has given it in his Holy Word; not that we may destroy but that we may offer every unbelieving soul a real chance to hear, believe and be saved.

May we all be missionaries not mercenaries!

Joy Infused

(Jude 1:20-25) “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

 Dear Christian, I believe that we have an obligation to infuse life and joy into all those we are able to influence by the power of the Word of God and the Holy Ghost in us.

We possess the amazing blessing of a most holy faith, the almighty Holy Ghost, the boundless love of God and His everlasting mercy that we might IMPACT others. Jesus desires to present believers to the Father with EXCEEDING JOY! We are the light of the world! We are the messengers of the only wise God, our Savior!

Let us focus 2013 on INFUSING everything we do with THE JOY OF THE LORD!