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Mindful and Mature Prayers A few years back, we went through a sermon series on “The Prayer of Jabez” (from 1 Chron.4). We quoted and noted highlights from David Wilkerson’s best-selling book with the same title. It’s a good prayer – “Lord bless me, protect me and keep me from pain”… who wouldn’t want that, right? Yet, if our prayer life is filled with only that… we’re in grave danger! True Growth, Transformation and Maturity (even in the Christian Life!) INVOLVES some pain, some discomfort and some struggle. I shudder to think what kind of life we’d have if we were totally pain-free, totally freeRead More →

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WAITING: our Common Ache 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:24-26 Christmas is a celebration most people in the world are familiar with. The “Advent Season”, in contrast, is a less familiar and more often taken-for-granted time of the Christian year. Advent refers to the weeks leading up to Christmas Day – a time of expectancy and preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. For four Sundays before Christmas, we get toRead More →

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Our HOPE is Secure We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Heb. 6:19) As Christ-followers, we are not exempt from the sorrow and sufferings of the world. We know this already… “the Lord makes the sun shine and the rain fall both on the righteous and the unrighteous”… we all go through it! So what difference does it make? This is where Hope comes in – the difference lies with OUR HOPE! Because of Jesus’ resurrection – the grave and death are no longer enemies to be feared! Hope becomes the sure and steadfast anchor for the soul. JustRead More →

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The Post-pandemic Challenge to the Church “…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(Matt.28:19-20) There’s a story after Jesus’ ascension… some angels asked him, “Did you accomplish your mission on earth, Lord?” “It is finished.” the Lord replied. The angels added “Has the whole world heard of You and Your Kingdom?”. “Not yet…” said Jesus ”… I left eleven Jewish men and a few other followers to carryRead More →

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ALL IN! Many understand the idea of GIVING AN OFFERING at church… the envelopes for our checks, a box for collecting and a time allotted for giving… all familiar, right? It’s an acknowledgement of God’s blessings upon us and our commitment to His ministry… an integral part of our worship and a way to open us up to God’s favor and mercy – It’s even a good antidote to materialism! While most understand giving, many still need help with the idea of OFFERING OURSELVES to God…. further than that, we need to understand “offering ourselves as a LIVING SACRIFICE!” Rom.12:1 says “Therefore, I urge you, brothersRead More →

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Sunday Word Pastor’s Corner July 2022 Purpose in Pain “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17 NIV) We all have to admit… anxiety can sometimes be overwhelming.  If not handled properly, that debilitating stress can result in crippling panic or paralyzing fear! Severe anxiety is a sure sign of poor mental health and should not just be acknowledged but addressed seriously. That said, we also learn that we can trust that God has a purpose for that emotional turmoil. God is not the source of our anxiety, but He does allow it to shape us and allow us to trust in His transforming power! It sounds counterintuitive, but our pain is actually one ofRead More →

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The Camel thru the Eye of the Needle “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  (Matthew 19:24)  The rich young ruler sincerely wanted to know what else he needed for eternal life. We  know from the rest of the gospel story that he went away sad and disappointed. Even as, Matthew’s narration says, he was obedient and devout even when he was a boy! Bible scholars have debated Jesus’ intention during this encounter and Matthew’s purpose for narrating it. Moreover, they were debating what reallyRead More →

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Courage during the “Even-If-He-Doesn’t” Moments Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it. But even if he does not, we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  (Daniel 3:16-18) Courage. Who comes to mind when you hear that word? Maybe the soldier who volunteers for another tour in the Middle East. Or the middle-schooler who says “no” to drugs. The politician who boldly announces that the emperor has no clothes on. Daniel’sRead More →

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Pastor’s Corner Sunday Word April 2022 The GAME-CHANGER! “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15 : 55 – 57) Before Jesus’ Resurrection, death was the end… it was the final curtain call… nothing beyond! All we could do was mourn like those who have no hope. But after Jesus’ Resurrection, when someone dies, we mourn for awhile because we have lost a loved one. But we mourn asRead More →