"O Thou Who has given us so much, mercifully grant us one more thing: a grateful heart."

George Herbert
(3 April 1593 - 1 March 1633) Welsh-born English poet, orator, and until the day of his death, rector of the little parish of Fugglestone St Peter with Bemerton St Andrew, near Salisbury.)

As we head into the new year and reminisce about our recent Christmas celebration, might we all say in one accord "Lord Jesus grant us a grateful heart" as we look to honor and serve You in 2012.
May we daily surrender all allowing Your Holy Spirit to fill us to full measure - even overflowing!
And as we abide in You we shall see the fruit of Your bountiful harvest.

The Christmas gift

The Christmas gift -

Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
(Isaiah 7:14)

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)

The reason for the Christmas gift -

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.
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world,
but that the world should be saved through Him.
(John 3:16 17)

The Christmas promise -

For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
(Romans 10:11 13)


May you have a joyous, wonderful, and blessed Christmas as we celebrate the gift that was given to us......

Where does the road we are currently on lead us?

Our times are filled with groaning for change – yet, what change are people actually looking for and expecting? Everywhere we look today we see signs of turbulence within our country (as well as globally). Whether it is in the economic, financial, social, religious, educational or political arenas we are seeing times of stress, filled with hostilities and strong-armed agendas, fighting and power seeking – the enemy’s game plan continually unfolding before our very eyes!
And as we proceed through these unsettling times might we consider Pilate’s inquiry as he asked Jesus this foundational question ‘what is truth’!
Truth, as the world defines it, has become a relative matter based upon situational ethics, ‘expert’ opinions, individual circumstances and even personal beliefs (better: preferences). Yet, as this world of ours continues to languish in a lost and dying condition, it is only the TRUTH that will set people free and bring liberty to the captives – that is genuine, life-changing change! The truth is that sin is real and because of it man has been separated from his Creator and lives incomplete and unfulfilled lives that need change.
As long as we continue to follow the road that we are currently on, basing our actions upon man’s incomplete and flawed wisdom, we will continue the slide down the slippery slope that leads to ruin and ‘change’ that never fulfills.
But there is another road and that is the good news! And that road has its foundation rooted in the TRUTH. Although I must confess that this road is narrow and few find it and follow it. By faith through grace in the One who is the TRUTH we are able to follow the road whose foundation is truth, the narrow road that brings true wisdom, the way that leads to freedom and liberty – the road to an abundant life – real change!
So, you want real change, one must first begin with ‘what is truth’?

Holiness – how can I be holy when I live in this fleshly tent?

The struggle of the flesh against the spirit is a daily battle and we usually end up on the wrong end. The flesh and its desires seem so strong at times that the lust of eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life just seem to rule our lives. And being surrounded by the ways of the world is a further enticement to walk the wide path.
The desensitization of sin, as well as the incessant push by the world that there is ‘no truth’, continues to bombard our lives and ensnare us thus creating a life that is not lived in victory but defeat. The flesh is strong but the spirit is weak.
Yet, we as believers are called to by holy – set apart for God – living victorious lives in Him.
I believe that the answer to our daily struggle will not be found in our own strength nor in our own abilities but by our continual surrender to the Spirit of God that lives within us – for it is no longer I that live but Christ within me.
He did not save us and give us His Holy Spirit so that we would be left as weak and feeble followers who are unable to walk in victory. (Although the enemy of our souls would have you believe that!)
Walking in His grace and standing firm in His truth, while filled with the power of His Holy Spirit, that is where we find victory – where the battle against sin is won and holiness reigns.
He has blessed us with the answer and given us the power – we must, by faith, accept it and walk in it – for that is where He wants us to be; that is where we will find the victory.
And when we do fall as we struggle in our daily battles, which we will, He is there ready to forgive us and pick us back up again for His grace is sufficient.
May we all seek to be victorious tent walkers!

What would Jesus be doing in our day?

It is an interesting question that keeps getting thrown around lately by the media. Would Jesus be one of the 99%, would He be a socialist, would He be political activist, would He be feeding all of the hungry and providing shelter for all of the homeless, would He be righting all of the wrongs and setting straight all of the evil ones? What would He be doing?
Well, if you believe the Word of God, Jesus came to us about 2,000 years ago in the flesh to carry out His mission upon this earth - to be the fulfillment of the promise foretold long ago.
And in truth, He is also here today – through the power of His Spirit and through the working of His body (the church)!
He has not left us unawares as some might think but He has provided us with His Word, as well as His Spirit, to enable us to do what Jesus has for us to do today! He has called us to be His ambassadors to represent Him to this lost and dying world.
But we must remember why He came to earth in the first place – to fulfill the promise made by God that He would make a way to restore the relationship between mankind and Himself – by His sacrifice the veil was torn and the Holy of Holies was now ‘open’ to those who believe by faith – we could again walk and talk with God – man redeemed from his sin by God’s mercy, restored by His grace and new life bestowed with the hope and assurance of eternal life in His heaven.
His Word of Truth tells us that we are, as we walk upon this earth, to share this truth with all that might hear! So what would Jesus be doing – sharing the grace and truth of God with all who would hear…because that is what He has called us to do – preach the word and make disciples! And if we live by faith and abide in Him His power will be revealed through us for all to see.

And the true purpose shall be revealed – God glorified!