God's gifts

There are times in the life of every church that it is exciting to the joy and happiness of the people and especially the children. Pastor Tim McNamee of Cityview Christian gave a great message on God's gifts and one of the points was to stir up that gift and use it for the kingdom of God. Yesterday they helped us to put on our annual Winter Carnival and we saw dozens of workers using their gifts for the glory of God. The gifts ranged from cooking a great lunch, to clowns, to balloon making, gifts of organization, to the gifts of helps, the gift of mercy, gift of love and many other gifts were in operation that helped us to set an atmosphere where the children had a great time in the house of God. God is gracious in the giving of gifts. It is up to us whether or not we will use the gifts given to us for good purposes within His kingdom. What a wonderful display of the gifts of God being used yesterday at the winter carnival. It excites me to realize what God wants to continue to do in our midst as we trust Him to anoint the gifts that He has given to us. We can do more together then we could ever do on our own. May God bring the increase to our gifts as we use them for His honor and glory. May God continue to build His church through us as we trust Him to work in and through us.
May His love and grace be with you.

Pastor John

The Story: chapter 7, Joshua

Joshua is a story of victory and that of possessing God's promise. I am grateful for all the victories that God has given to me in my life but they are all in my past. Joshua could not rest upon the mighty miracles that God had granted to them in the past but God was now calling him to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land where they would witness the hand of God on their behalf. I do not want to minimize any previous miracles but there is new land to be taken, fresh battles to fight and an enemy that is not just going to lay down because he was defeated one. Miracles ought to encourage us to believe God for more miracles. Joshua had a very close relationship with God but God still was teaching him new things concerning Him and His ways. There are three lessons that Joshua was learning that would be helpful for us to learn. First, Joshua had to learn that God does not pick sides because He is the side, it was Joshua who needed to pick sides. A wise person will pick God. I identify with God and I am on His side. Second, Joshua needed God's plan for success. God will always bless what He is doing but does not have to bless what I am doing. The key is listening to God and receive His plan for my life. Third, this one follows the last lesson, once I receive God's plan then I must discipline myself to execute that plan His way. To conquer Jericho Joshua had to follow the instructions of the Lord and when he did God granted a great victory. Working out His plan for my life will bring about great joy and satisfaction. Therefore let us be strong and courageous for the Lord our God is with us and will fight our battles when we get on God's side, listen to Him to receive His plan, His instructions and then carry out that plan with faith and trust. God will grant the victory when we do life His way.

Pastor John

The Story chapter 6, wandering

Have ever been in a store for no real purpose? I have and all I do is wander around the store. This usually happens when I have some time to waste so I will head to sporting goods store and wander around looking at what I may want but do not need. When our lives are not filled with a purpose or direction then it is easy to push the default button and begin to wander. The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they lost their direction. They were supposed to go the Promised Land but due to a lack of faith in God decided it would be too hard. This act of disobedience of the nation of Israel affected a whole generation which now were prohibited to enter the land of promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They wandered and their children had to wait another 40 years to enter this land. Within our story now in this age we all tend to wander at times and the reasons will most likely be closely connected to the wanderings of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ can help us to have the victory over the wandering tendency that we have but I must learn to trust Him and walk with Him in order to receive His help. John 15 talks about this principle with the vine and branches. If I abide in Him, He will abide in me. Jesus went on to say that apart from Him we can do nothing. Learning the lesson of life that when I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior I have entered a life of corporating with God. Learning to do life His way is the key to life. Learning to obey when He wants me to do something is vital to develop intimacy with Him. We will all experience wandering moments but we do not have to experience wandering seasons. Let us not take our eyes off our destination with is life eternal with Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Pastor John

The Story chapter 5: Commandments and Love

The story of God in the giving of the Ten Commandments is a picture of God's love reaching down to the nation of Israel who had been delivered from the bondage of Egypt. Israel at this time needed a lot of direction in their new found freedom. God's desire to be with His people is clearly evident but the people were afraid. The revelation of God's power with the ten plagues, parting of the Red Sea and the visible cloud and shaking of Mt Sinia had an affect of not wanting to hear the voice of God for fear that He might destroy them but was willing to listen to Moses. If I was there I do not know how I might react and for that reason I am not going to be hard on them because most likely I would not have reacted much differently. As a young believer I know I was much more open to listen to preachers and teachers but to hear God I was not so sure. I have learned over the years that God loves me and has my best interest in mind therefore when God does speak to me it is always for my good. That was a lesson the children of Israel needed to learn and throughout their history there were times they listened well but unfortunately there were times they were more interested in during their own thing. As a follower of Jesus Christ I must learn to listen and then to obey. This though is only a part, because of His great forgiveness for me I must respond to His love with loving Him with all that I am. The reason I listen is because He loves me and I desire to love Him for all that He has done for me. It is out of a heart of love that I obey Him. Lord help us to love You in ways that will please Your heart and help us to love our neighbor in ways that will communicate Your great love for them.
May God's love abound more and more in your hearts.

Pastor John