(by pastor Norman)
Have you ever been faced with a situation and fear has risen up on the inside of you? Will I lose my job? Where will the money come from? How can I deal with these symptoms? Is this the end of my marriage? Why do I have no peace in my life? Fear does not come from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7; NKJV). “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father” (Rom 8:15; NKJV). Now these verses should cheer you up! When you think about it fear is the opposite to faith. We are to walk in faith (2 Cor 5:7) and there is no reason we can’t remove fear from our lives. Faith is a firm trust in God but fear arises when we lack trust in God. How then do we deal with fear? Well, the Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom 10:17). In order to build up our faith to resist fear we must meditate on all of the scriptures we can find on fear such as the ones above and other verses like, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa 41:10; NKJV). We need to change our thinking (Rom 12:2), cast our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7), bring our prayer requests to God with thankful hearts and His peace will overwhelm us (Phil 4:6-7). Most importantly, we must walk in love for, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18a; NKJV).
(by pastor Jean)
In the book of Revelation, we are told that God will create a new heaven and new earth and that it will come down out of heaven (Rev 21:1,2) and it will be called the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:10). We are also told that there will be no sin, sorrow, crying or pain in this city (Rev 21:4). The size and beauty of the city are also described in detail (Rev 21:10-23), it is hard to imagine the great beauty of this city because it will shine with the glory of God (Rev 21:11). It is clearly stated that only those whose names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” will be allowed there (Rev 21:27). It is interesting that Isaiah prophesied about this in great detail (Isa 65:17-25). He actually includes a lot more detail than we find in Revelation 21, for example, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bull, and dust shall be the serpent’s food” (Isa 65:25; MEV). Jesus referred to the New Jerusalem in Matthew chapter 24 verse 35 when He said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words will never pass away.” He also told us to be ready and to be anticipating these things (Matt 24:44). According to Revelation 21 this will take place after the 1,000 year reign of Christ and it is the final, eternal dwelling place of God and His people, “And they shall reign forever and ever” Amen! (Rev 22:5; MEV). Get ready!!!
(by pastor Norman)
How often do we stop to think about all Jesus suffered for us at the end of His life, paying the price for our sins? He was arrested and taken before the leaders of His own people, struck in the face, spat on and mocked (Matt 26:27). The Roman leader, Pilate, had Him scourged with a whip of leather strips loaded with pieces of sharp metal (Matt 27:26). The soldiers then mocked Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head; beating and spitting on Him (Matt 27:26-31). Finally, Jesus was nailed to a cross, (Matt 227:35) and after His death, His side was pierced with a spear (John 19:34). His suffering was prophesied by Isaiah the prophet (Isa 53:1-12). In verse 5 of Isaiah 53 we read, “Christ was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities” (NKJV). The apostle Peter wrote, “He bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24a; NKJV) and the apostle Paul wrote, “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor 5:21a; NKJV). Due to Jesus’ suffering for our sins, “His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human” (Isa 52:14; NLT). As He bore the effects of the sins of the world, Jesus was completely separated from God, “My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt 27:46b). However, praise God, what a victory Jesus won for each one of us by His sacrifice: forgiveness (Col1:14), salvation (2 Cor 5:17), righteousness (Rom 5:17), redemption from the effects of sin in our old life (Gal 3: 13-14), healing (1 Peter 2:24), and God’s abundant eternal life for evermore (John 3:16); “praise God”!
(by pastor Jean)
According to The Passion Translation, Proverbs 4:23 reads, “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” (See also John 4:13-14 for New Testament equivalent). This verse is not referring to the physical organ in our chest that is called the heart and which pumps the life blood to all parts of our bodies. You could talk to any cardiologist and find out how to take care of your physical heart. What we are talking about here is the very core of our being, where all our deepest thoughts and emotions come from. The heart is also the part of you that appreciates beauty, God’s creation for example. Most importantly, the heart is where God’s love comes from. So, how do you “guard your heart”? What you put into your heart determines what comes out of it, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt 12:34; MEV). If you read Playboy magazine, watch porn and R rated movies you are not guarding your heart but if you do what Phil 4:8 says and meditate on good, pure and uplifting things – which would include the word, then you are guarding your heart. Do what Colossians 3 verses 1 and 2 say and set your affections on God. God created our physical hearts to keep pumping blood for at least 70-100 years as long as the arteries don’t get plugged up with plaque. Similarly, the “innermost being” will stay healthy as long as we don’t allow plaque to build up there (strife, unforgiveness, bitterness etc.) So, guard your heart diligently and you will reflect the glory of God (2 Cor 3:18).
(by pastor Norman)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17; NKJV). Sounds like God’s word in our Bible is our handbook for a successful Christian life. The word convicts’ people of their need for Jesus (Rom 1:16) and opens the door for eternal life with God (John 6:68). God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and life (John 6:63) and that truth will set us free from all the sin that beset us in our former life without Christ (John 8:32). We are to build our lives on the solid foundation or rock of Jesus’ words (Matt 7:24). God’s word is powerful exposing our very thoughts (Heb 4:12) so we can change and grow in the life He has for us and do all He requires of us (John 10:10 b, Josh 1:8). Faith to walk according to his word comes by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17). We are assured that God’s word will never pass away (Matt 24:35). We are exhorted to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col 3: 16a; NKJV), to hide it in our hearts (Ps 119:11) and hold firmly to the word of life (Phil 2:16). We obviously need to make time in our Bible a real priority. In the early church there was no Bible but the Christians “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42a; NKJV). We must not only immerse in the word but live it and do it! (James 1:22). Are we really steadfast in studying, living and doing the word?