(by Pastor Norman)

In the parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-8, 11-15), seed was sown into 4 different soils. Some seed that landed on a path was trampled on and birds ate it. Seed sown on a rocky area germinated but died for lack of soil and moisture. Seed that fell among weeds which grew up and choked it but seed that fell on good soil, germinated and produced a great harvest. Jesus likened the seed to God’s word. Some people hear the word but satan quickly takes it from them so it can have no saving effect on their lives; this is the seed that fell on the path. The seed that fell on the rocks describes people who get excited by the word but have no depth, as they face the trials, trouble and temptations of life, the word is forgotten. The seed growing with weeds describes people who lose sight of the word amongst the cares, concerns and materialism in the world around them. The good soil refers to people with a real heart of love for God and who stick with the word, allowing it to change and grow them into all God has for them (2 Cor 3:18; Heb 4:12). God wants each of us to be good soil! We are called to grow beyond the foundations of our faith to become mature Christians and ambassadors for God (Heb 6:1-3; 2 Cor 5:20). The apostle Peter exhorted us to, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18; NKJV). The early church is such a good example of good soil as they, “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching” (Acts 2:42; NLT). We should do the same.

(By Pastor Jean)

God’s love is everlasting. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you” (Jer 31:3; CSB). God’s love never fails (Psalm 109:26), (1 Cor 13:8). God’s love is wide, long, high and deep and it surpasses knowledge (Eph 3:19). God’s love is forgiving (Mark 2:5). God’s love is compassionate (Matt 9:36, 15:32, Luke 7:13). God’s love is without limits (Rom 8:39). God’s love is sacrificial, “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for His friends” (John 15:13; NKJV). 1 John 4:8 tells us that, “God is love. (He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature”) (AMP). The Greek word used for God’s love is agape which means unconditional love which we see in the above verse, also John 3:16 and Rom 5:6-8. God died for all of us and we were all sinners but His love was so great that He endured a criminal’s death in order to save us from hell. God’s love has the power to change our lives and probably the best example of this in the Bible is Paul (Acts 9). After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus he became a Jesus fanatic and wrote a large portion of the New Testament. Finally, God’s love is inspirational! Because of God’s tremendous love for us we can love ourselves and others with the agape love of God.

(by Pastor Norman)

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matt 12:36; ESV). I am sure we have all at some time found ourselves in a conversation where we slipped into careless words about someone or something; perhaps those words were critical or judgmental comments? God’s word encourages us not to be judgmental (Rom 14:10-13, Matt 7:1-5, James 4:11-12) or speak evil of anyone (Titus 3:2). Those first 5 verses of Matthew 7 always catch my attention. We are exhorted to remove the plank from our own eyes before we concern ourselves with the speck in someone else’s eye. In summary that means let’s judge ourselves before we judge or criticize others. In scripture, we are encouraged to be quick to listen and hear and slow to speak (James 1:19), treating or talking of others as we would want them to treat and talk about us (Matt 7:12). Let’s make sure we have the facts or truth when we discuss issues (Eph 4:25) and let love be our motivating force (1 Cor 13:4-7, 1 Peter 4:8). “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thess 5:11; ESV. See also Heb 10:25). “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29; ESV). Wow! If we all entered our conversations with God’s word in mind, in His grace and love, what amazing, powerful places our churches would be!