(by pastor Norman)
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18; NKJV). The apostle Paul states clearly that through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross He paid the price for our sins so that we could be restored in our relationship with God and share the good news with others. Paul exhorted his spiritual son Timothy to be faithful to teach others to share the good news of Jesus (2 Tim 2:2). The apostle Peter told us that, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9; NKJV). Paul asks us how people will know and believe in Jesus if we don’t tell them and he added that those who go and tell have beautiful feet (Rom 10:14-15). God has given us the power and ability of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) and even promises to give us the words to say (Mark 13:11). I love the divine appointment Jesus had with the woman at Sychar (John 4:9-42). God will give us those divine appointments to witness to others and all heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). The first two gospels in the New Testament (Matthew and Mark) direct us to share the gospel and make disciples of Jesus (Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18). What more encouragement do we need? Let’s be God’s ministers of reconciliation!

(by pastor Jean)
Faithful in the New Testament means someone who can be trusted to keep their promises. There are many examples of God’s faithfulness in the Bible, for example God’s promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah, Joseph’s story – from prison to palace and many more. “Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deut 7:9; NKJV). 1 Corinthians 1:9 says that because God is faithful, we are called into fellowship with Him. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that because God is faithful, He won’t allow us to be tempted more than we are able. 2 Thessalonians assures us that because God is faithful, He will strengthen us and guard us from the evil one. According to Hebrews 10:23 we also learn that because God is faithful, He can be relied upon to keep His promises. Also, because of God’s faithfulness He will forgive us our sins (1 John 1:9). In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called “faithful and true” (Rev 1:5, 3:14, 19:11) and here we see His ultimate victory. God is also called faithful and true in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 because He will preserve us until the return of Christ. God is always faithful, unchanging and can always be relied upon; “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13; NKJV).

 (by pastor Norman)
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13; NKJV). As we truly believe in God and make Him the Lord and master of our lives our spirits are made new and God receives us as His children (Rom 10:9-10, John 3:3-8). God’s amazing love enables us to become children of God (1 John 3:11). The apostle Paul emphasizes that we all became God’s children by faith in Christ (Gal 3:26) and the Holy Spirit living in us assures our spirit that we are God’s children (Rom 8:16). The faith Paul speaks of has to be like that pure uncluttered faith of a small child (Mark 10:13-16). As His children, we are heirs of all God has for us and most especially eternal life; however, we will also face persecution as Jesus did on this earth (Rom 8:17). If we are truly sons of God this relationship should surely affect the way we live. Our lives should be led by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14), we should love our brothers and sisters and walk in righteousness (1 John 3:10). Righteousness is right standing with God, a heart attitude to walk in the will of God. We should, “desire the pure milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2a; NKJV) so we can grow to be more and more like Jesus. Isn’t it amazing that God said, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters” (2 Cor 6:18a; NKJV)? Let’s walk as children of God.

(by pastor Jean) When Paul was writing to the Thessalonians, he challenged them to, “Adopt a lifestyle worthy of God” (1 Thess 2:12; TPT). Most translations say, “to walk worthy of God.” That means to live your life in a way that pleases God. In Ephesians chapter 4 verse 1, Paul is again writing, this time to the Ephesians and says, “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Eph 4:1; NKJV). Then again in Colossians 1:10, “Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (NKJV). To the Philippians he says, “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27; NKJV). The question is, how do we do this? Colossians 1:10 gives us a clue because it goes on to say, we should be fruitful in good works and growing in the knowledge of God. Ephesians 2:10 actually says we were created to do good works. You don’t have to look too far to find something good to do. If we are to grow in the knowledge of God, we will need to spend time reading our Bibles and getting revelation knowledge of who God is. A lifestyle “worthy of God” is surely one that pleases Him in all we do and speak. Paul emphasizes living in unity on Colossians 1:27; pleasing God also means abounding in love (1 Thess 3:12), praying without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17), being kind (Eph 4:32), being ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18), being servants (Matt 23:11) and being students of the word (2 Tim 2:15) plus much, much more! Let’s do our best to please God today.