Pastor’s Corner

“Smile Jesus loves you”  is something many of us have said or probably heard, And It is a statement that many of us need to grab hold of.  We have a lot to smile about!  The fact that God does love us so much, that he made away for us to have eternal life.  The fact that we can now have unashamed fellowship with God the father because of what Jesus did on the cross for us.  The fact there is now not more condemnation for us who are in Christ, Jesus.  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  We have a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Wow! We should be smiling. We have been given everything.  Smile Jesus Love you, Pastor “J”

I went coon hunting with a friend of mine in Sheridan.  It was amazing,  the stars were bright, the temp. was perfect, and the coyote’s were talking.  It was poetry for the senses.  Then  all of a sudden, we looked up to the sky and noticed a shooting star.  Immediately, tingles when through my body, I just seen one of the most special things in the world.  Why me? I ask.  But then I realized God was just giving me a wink, letting me know He was around and faithful as ever.  A scripture that comes to mind is:  “All of creation declares His glory” …. and that is what that shooting star did.  It declared how beautiful, wonderful, big and awesome God is.    I challenge you to look around for the God winks in your life.  And remember you are loved more than you will ever know. Pastor “J”

Spring is here!  The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and the flowers are springing forward, making everything beautiful.  I would like to challenge you to let this spring, help you to spring forward out of the old ruts of the past.  Maybe be have been depressed, maybe fearful;  as you watch the flowers spring forward with all there beauty,  you spring forward into the beauty that God has for you.   I love the scriptures that says:  “He makes all things beautiful in His time”.  I believe it is His time to make things beautiful in your life.  So allow Him to do that by springing forward into the peace and fullness of God.   You are loved more than you know.

 a “sweet smelling savor unto the Father”,  is that how we are living? Are we living for God and following Christ in such a way that we have a fragrance of Christ on us?  I hope so!  I went to the dentist today and one of the assistance goes to our church.  I shared with the doctor that you can tell that her employee and our church member walks with God.  The doctor totally agreed.  You could sense the spirit of God in her life.  So what do people sense from you?  That you have the Spirit of God in your life or that you are just another person who carries emotions and bad attitudes on their sleeves.  Lets be a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord, and be a blessing to the world. Love In Christ, Pastor “J”

^{James 3:13}Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.    ¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness

I love that discription of wisdom in verse 17 and 18.  Wisdom comes from God and walking in His Spirit.  If we don’t walk in His Spirit we are not walking and living in Godly wisdom.  And inevitably we will not produce a harvest of rightousness which should be all of our goal.

I am thinking about how it is cold outside, but what a blessing it is that it is warm inside.   It is amazing to think how blessed we are to be able to have warm houses, warm cars, warm food while at the same time it is 20 degrees F.  out side.    We are so blessed. However even more we are blessed to have the Warmness of God in our life.  The warmness that comes from knowing we are forgiven. The warmness inside that comes from understanding His love.  The warmness inside that exist because of the mutual love relationship and fellowship we have with God on a daily basis.  I can’t help but feel warm in the midst of the winter!!!  Love In Christ!

Had a great service tonight, studied Mark 6.   I was amazed at how Jesus sent his disciples out and told them to take nothing except a staff.  No food, extra clothing, no money, basically nothing.  It inspired me to realize that in life regardless if we have a job or do not have a job, we need to have that same reliance on the Lord as the 12 disciples.  Realizing that He is our source of hope and Provision.   All in all we need to keep looking up and find our hope,  purpose and satisfaction in Jesus.
Love you, Pastor “J”

Here is the Vision statement and Mission of our church that we have been working on.  It also includes some of our 2010 goals that we are contemplating. Let me know your thoughts? Pastor “J”

 

Vision:

Honoring God, Transforming lives.

 

Luke 1:37 “nothing is impossible with God”

Mission:

Reaching around in love and fellowship, showing those around us the compassion and love of Christ.   Ephesians 4:29

 

*Men’s ministry

*Women’s ministry

*picnics and parties

 

Reaching up in worship and prayer,  bringing forth heartfelt praise and worship that touches the Lord.  Psalms 22:3

 

*prayer meets

*dynamic cooperate worship

*Tithe

 

Reaching out in Evangelism and outreach, to all people groups, expecting God to radically change lives.   Colossians 4:5,6

 

*Missions

*Feeding the Homeless (feed my sheep)

*special outreaches

 

Reaching in through discipleship.  Training men, women and children in the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:11-13

 

*Sunday School

*Jr. Bible quiz

*Home groups

*preaching

*youth and children’s ministries

Goal for 2010—Prayer, Prayer, Prayer plus: Continue current ministries with greater communication and encouragement. 

Develop Reaching in (Discipleship)  home classes that we will call summit groups.  Establish 2-3 summits of discipleship that will manifest several different home groups through out the year.

 

Maybe—One major local out reach in October called “Hell House”/”Judgment House”

“Unstoppable, God’s plan and purpose is unstoppable.” That is a powerful statement but what does that statement mean?

I believe it means different things to different people but over all it is a statement of faith and assurance that God has everything in control!!!  It is a statement that reminds us that He works all things out for good for those that love Him and are call according to His purpose.  It means that He is God! And as children of God we can know that everything is going to be ok.  So be of good cheer and keep moving forward in the “unstoppable” plan and purpose of God.           Love in Christ,    Pastor “J”

So what will heaven be like?
Revelation:

• It will be a holy place (Revelation 21:27) - NO Sin, no temptation!
• It will be a place where everything is new (Revelation 21:5). Everyone likes new stuff but the difference is there won’t be any repairs from decay!
• It will be a place where the curse and all it’s consequences will be gone (Revelation 22:3)
• It will be a place where there is no pain, death, darkness, sorrow or tears (Revelation 21:4)
• It is a place where we will know everyone (I Corinthians 13:12)
• It is a place of great rejoicing (Revelation 4)
• It’s a place where we will be able to spend eternity

Heaven is a place that we should look forward to with great anticipation. Some people have a misconception of what Heaven will be like. They think we will be sitting around all day in white robes, floating on clouds, and playing harps. That’s kind of boring, but that’s not what Heaven is like!!  Heaven is beyond Paradise!!! So Everyone stay Faithful…. Love ya, Pastor “J”