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We are excited to bring our new site to you. Now you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook. We have also added a web-based Calendar of Events, that gives descriptions and map locations of the events. Please check back often for updates and new features. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, February 22 2011 09:27 |
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Written by Pastor
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Sunday, January 22 2012 00:00 |
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The word “Holy” is used to describe Jesus’ followers throughout Scripture. The full meaning of this descriptive word is that we’re something different, something completely “other” in contrast to those who do not follow Jesus.
We are recognized as being wholesome in speech, guarding what comes out of our mouths. As builders with our words and deeds not demolition experts demolishing others in our path. We are known by our desire to rid ourselves of the very things that seemingly motivate the world around us. Characteristics such as bitterness, rage, anger, envy, revenge.
In our overwhelming desire to imitate our Savior we strive to not even posses a hint of impurity. We do this because Christ’s Spirit within us urges us to be “living sacrifices,” “fragrant offerings” before God that we might please the One who gave Himself for us.
Do we always succeed? No!
Should we give up then? Never!
We pray, we seek, we learn, we trust, we submit . . and in so doing we become strong in the Lord. Being overwhelmed by a “greater love,” we can do nothing else. “For you are God’s Holy people!”
“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
– Dale
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Written by Pastor
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Sunday, January 08 2012 00:00 |
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Where are you? Christians speak of being in Christ, is this where you live? Being in Christ would suggest that we have taken on the mind of Christ – meaning we live to live like Jesus – right? Being in sync with Jesus has to mean we’re moving away from all darkness in our life. Darkness equates to sin and sin is contrary to being in Christ. John the Apostle declares, that “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” He goes on to say that if we claim Him, if we have fellowship with Him, and continue to live in darkness then we’re lairs!
Our problem may be, that we’re not fully convinced we must literally die to self. I mean come on – really? So we continue to date darkness and dabble in it thinking we can remain stain free. The attractiveness of darkness is real and powerful because it’s plugged into our flesh and can feel so good to begin with. It’s dangerous by nature due to the fact that it appeals to our sin-born earthly nature. To overcome this natural tidal pull we must turn our focused attention on Christ and allow Him to fully capture our minds and our hearts.
Spiritual Awakening occurs when an individual and a people realize they’ve been sparking with the dark. Suddenly stepping into the full light reveals the stains that dabbling ultimately brings – being horrified at the sight we desire to be cleansed. Do you feel like it’s shady where your at right now? In Christ there is no darkness at all!
— Dale
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Written by Pastor
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Sunday, January 15 2012 00:00 |
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Have you read the “Spiritual Inventory”? (It is in appendix A starting on page fifty of your twenty one day prayer journal.) Day six of the journal challenged us to take stock of ourselves regarding our salvation and desire for Spiritual Awakening. Here’s a sample of the questions:
Regarding God’s Word:
Do I love to read and mediate on the Word of God?
Does my life change in response to what I read in the Bible?
Do I memorize scripture?
Regarding Prayer:
Do I value and appreciate the opportunity to pray?
How much time do I spend in genuine, heartfelt prayer each day?
Regarding Pride:
Is it ever difficult to confess my sin to God?
Is it ever hard for me to admit I am wrong?
Values:
Do I love what God loves and hate what God hates?
Am I hurt by things that hurt the Lord?
These are just a small sample of the many questions to mediate upon in this very helpful section of our prayer journal. If you quickly read through this section just to complete that day’s devotion, would you consider reading it again? Take some significant time to mediate upon each question and thoughtfully consider where you stand in regard to that query. If your problem is that your pressed for time, you might consider taking one section each day. In this way you’ll be better able to more fully explore the answers that are vital to our spiritual growth!
May God grant us our petition! Spiritual Awakening!
— Dale
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Written by Pastor
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Sunday, December 18 2011 00:00 |
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“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
Peace is an illusive word, isn’t it? Peace is a word that we want to mean what we want it to mean. (Why can’t we all just get along?) The word used for peace in this text, does mean the cessation of hostilities – but hostilities between whom? There’s so much more to this word than we may first conceive. A person experiences peace – a presence of God if you will – that overwhelms them when surrendering to Christ. A new mind is gained which brings with it new priorities and new standards for living. As we see lived out every day, the fact that we gain divine peace does not mean that our world will be a completely harmless place to live in. On the contrary, the decision to follow Jesus and live a faithful Christian life may add to the conflict one experiences, but in the turmoil peace reigns. “Peace on earth” is experienced when the culmination of God’s work is perceived, received and lived out in the life of a disciple of Messiah.
We want peace to mean that everyone walks in lockstep together – a live and let live attitude. Jesus brings a type of peace that puts us into direct conflict with the existing world but makes us a part of a new heavenly kingdom. The former, if ever achievable, is fleeting. The latter is everlasting.
May peace reside within your heart and rule your life as you are continually transformed into the likeness of Jesus our Lord!
–Dale
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