(by pastor Norman)
In six days, God completed His work of creating the “heavens and the earth” (Gen 2:1-2; NKJV) and everything in them. God rested on the seventh day and set that day apart for mankind to rest from his labours (Gen 2:3). When God led His people Israel out of slavery in Egypt He promised them perpetual rest in the promised land. The rest was delayed 40 years due to disobedience (Ps 95:10-11). This world around us is a sin-filled environment over which satan has dominion (Luke 4:5-7) and he comes to, “steal, and to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10a; NKJV). However, Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b; NKJV). Now that sounds like rest to me! Jesus through His sacrifice, death and resurrection stripped satan of all power and authority (Cool 2:15) and paid the price for our sins (Col 2:15), so we could receive forgiveness (Coll 1:14). If we believe in Jesus and ask Him to be Lord of our life, to have control, we will be saved or made new in fellowship with God (Rom 10:9-10). In the epistle to the Hebrews, we read that God has a continuous life of rest for His people; we can rest from our labours (Heb 4:9-10) and burdens. Jesus said, “Come to Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28-30). Jesus exhorted us to live life according to His Word, for His ways are easy and not burdensome, in so doing we will find His perpetual rest.
(by pastor Jean)
The epistle of Paul to his spiritual son, Titus, is for the most part instructions on how Christians should behave. I find it interesting that he says we should do good works five times in 3 short chapters. If something is repeated that many times we should take note of it. He says we should be an example of good works (2:7), ready to do good works (2:14), maintain good works (3:8), continue doing good works (3:8) and be “zealous of good works” (Tit 2:14; MEV). To be zealous means to be eager, enthusiastic, on fire. In his epistle to Timothy, Paul told him to be, “rich in good works” (1 Tim 6:18; MEV). Paul also encouraged the Ephesians regarding good works when he told them they were created for good works (Eph 2:10). We are also told to inspire each other to do good works in Hebrews 10:24. In instructing the Galatians, Paul told them to never get tired of doing good and to use every opportunity they had to do good (Gal 6:9). Of course, our first and foremost example of someone doing good is Jesus because we are told that is how He spent His time, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38; NKJV). We have been anointed with the same Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20,27, 2 Cor 1:21-22), let’s look for opportunities to do good today and remember that whatever we do we are doing it as unto Him (Matt 25:40).
(by pastor Norman)
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing that God wants us to do” (2 Tim 3:16; NLT). Our Bible was written by men under the inspiration of God; it reveals God to us, His character, His ways, purposes and plans for mankind. His word can change us from our old sinful ways to be like Christ (2 Cor 3:18), to live the abundant life He has for us (John 10:10) and enable us to be His ambassadors, His ministers on the earth (2 Cor 5:20). In Hebrews 4:12, we read that God’s word is powerful and will expose our thoughts and desires for what they are and show us where change is needed for good. His word is a beacon of light guiding us in God’s ways (Ps 119:105). We must live a life based and directed by His word (Matt 4:4). His word is truth and will grow us in holiness (John 17:17). The apostle Paul exhorted the Galatians to, “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16; NKJV). As Christians God’s word must be our sure foundation (Matt 7:24-25), we must adhere to it and into practice (Luke 11:28, James 1:22). God’s word will never pass away (Matt 24:35) and will always bring the results God intends (Isa 55:11). Finally, let’s be encouraged by the apostle John, he wrote that if God’s words abide or stay and remain in us, “You will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7; NKJV). Praise God for His sacred word to us.
(by pastor Jean)
Isn’t it interesting that satan tempted Jesus in the same way he does us. He tried to speak confusion to His mind (see Matthew 4:4-11). That is just the way it is with us; satan whispers his lies into our minds and then it’s up to us what we do with those thoughts. They are usually in the form of doubts, fears and questions which are contrary to faith, truth and the word. 2 Corinthians chapter 10 gives us specific instructions as to what to do with those troublesome thoughts. Firstly, we are told that this isn’t a battle we fight with our fists but this is spiritual warfare (2 Cor 10:4, Eph 6:12). The battle is in the mind. We are then told to bring, “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 19:5; NKJV). Basically, that means every time our minds wander off onto those negative thoughts we have to say, “no I won’t think on those things” and then replace them with the word of God. That is exactly what Jesus did each time the devil came to tempt Him. He said, “it is written” and then quoted appropriate scriptures. In order to do that we have to have the word in our hearts so we can speak it out, which means spending time in the word each day. We may have to do this many times a day but the word is powerful (Heb 4:12) and that is how we achieve victory!
(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.