(by pastor Norman)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16; NKJV). The word loved here is the Greek word “agapao”, the God kind of love, an unconditional love, expressed towards people regardless of their status, belief or behaviour. God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross to atone for our sins (1 John 4:10), to pay the price that we could be forgiven and receive new life in fellowship with God (Heb 9:26; 2 Cor 5:21). Such is God’s amazing love for us, in fact the Bible tells us that God is love(1 John 4:16)! What a loving Father, He calls us His very own children (1 John 3:1). “But you, Lord are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Ps 86:15; NIV). The apostle Paul assures us that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom 8:38-39). In the book of Lamentations, we are told that God’s mercies and compassions are new every day (Lam 3:22-23). “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever” (Ps 118:1; ESV). God tells us that His love for us is everlasting and will never leave us (Jer 31:3, Isa 54:10). Wow! What love, what promises and God has poured that love into all of our hearts (Rom 5:5) to share with others. Think it, live it, preach it, my how the world needs to see and hear of God’s eternal love.
(by pastor Jean)
When Jehoshaphat was in grave danger facing a huge army, he turned to God for help and said, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You” (2 Chron 20:12; NIV). Jehoshaphat was not putting his trust in his own ability or even his own army but he was trusting God completely. Needless to say, God came through for him, gave him a plan and victory. It’s the same for us, if we make it a habit to seek the lord He will come through for us too. We not only need to do this when facing opposition but when things are going smoothly too. When things are going well it’s tempting to think we can manage without God and don’t need to pray about things. Sadly, this was the case with King Uzziah (2 Chronicles chapter 26). We are told that when he first became King, he sought the Lord, “As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success” (2 Chron 26:5; NIV). We are told he became powerful and did a lot of good things and had a strong army. However, “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall” (2 Chron 26:16; NLT). Uzziah began by leaning on the Lord for help but as he became more and more successful, he felt he could manage without God’s help but this led to his demise. He decided to burn incense in the temple which only the priests were allowed to do and God struck him with leprosy for the rest of his life. Let’s always remember to pray and ask God for help, even in the little things; when facing storms and also when the water is calm. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord” (Ps 121:1,2; NKJV).
(by pastor Norman)
Do you have any blind spots in your life? Blind spots are thought patterns or actions that could inhibit your Christian walk and ministry but you are not willing to recognize and change. King David provides us with a rather extreme example. He saw Bathsheba bathing, slept with her and had her husband killed in a battle. God had to send His prophet, Nathan, to convict David who repented and went on to be used mightily by God (2 Sam 11-12). In the book of Revelation, although the people of Laodicea rejoiced in their wealth and material success, they were spiritually cold and God directed the apostle John to warn them that He was ready to spit them out of His mouth (Rev 3:14-16). In Psalm 139:23-24 David asks God to search his heart for any evil; in Psalm 19:12 he further asks the Lord, “Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear from me hidden (and unconscious) faults” (AMP) and in v 14 (NKJV) he writes, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.” God knows our thoughts and our words before we even speak them (Ps 139:2b,4). We are deceived if we think we have no sin but if we confess and ask forgiveness God will forgive (1 John 1:8,9). Get in the word, stay in the word and let it show you those blind spots, even if that causes some discomfort. Let the word convict you and then be a doer of the word and change. The results are liberating and bring victory (James 1:21-25).
(by pastor Jean)
If you take the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-14) at face value, it is about a young man who no longer wants to live at home, he wants to break away from his family and be self-sufficient. How often this happens these days and how heartbroken are the parents of these children. The father in the story shows intense love for his son and completely forgives him when he returns. Now, let’s compare this to the love of our heavenly Father when His children turn their backs, think they don’t need God anymore and even think they know better than God. God demonstrates His amazing wide, deep love (Eph 3:18-19) for us by loving, forgiving and healing us (“he bent down and kissed him” V 20). There is absolutely nothing we can do that can prevent God from forgiving us and welcoming us back with open arms. No amount of alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality or just plain busyness could put us beyond the love of God. No person is so deep in sin that God’s love cannot reach them. That right there is mind boggling. God’s love is so great that He even throws a party for us when we repent from sin (V 22,23). God’s love for us is everlasting (Jer 31:3) and full of compassion (V 20). Of course, we have a part to play – we have to swallow our pride, humble ourselves and repent (V 21). If we do that God even forgets what we did (Heb 8:12). “For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the heavens above the earth” (Ps 103:11; NLT).
(by pastor Norman)
God, “has saved us and called us to a holy life” (2 Tim 1:9; NIV), he has, “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9b; NKJV). Sin separated us from God (Isa 59:2) but Christ’s sacrifice won forgiveness for us (Col 1:14, Rom 8:30) and the new, abundant God kind of life (John 10:10b). We are called into fellowship with Him (1 Cor 1:9). God’s calling includes eternal life with Him starting on this earth and continuing in heaven forever (Heb 8:15). This calling to new life in Christ was not based on our works but God’s grace, His unlimited favour (2 Tim 1:9). We are called to be a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). The apostle Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that God would enable them to fulfill the calling of a life of faith and love even in face of persecution (2 Thess 1:11). As we walk in the strength of the Holy Spirit, we can live the God kind of life, be a blessing to those around us and shine for Him. Paul told the Romans to live holy sacrificial lives that met God’s approval not the life of the world around them. They were to set their minds on the things of God such that their lives demonstrated the Christian life (Rom 12:1,2). Paul addressed the Christians in Philippi, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:14). As we press into Jesus in His word and prayer we will grow into all God has called us to be and do. Be encouraged, “For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29), they never change!