February Month 2010

Friday, February 26th, 2010
ARE YOU LIFTING HIM UP
"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed." -1st Peter 5:1
 

We often see them, but are we treating them the way God intended us to treat them? Our seniors have been left among us for a reason, and a season. The Apostle Peter expressed his feelings toward seniors when he said "I exhort", meaning he was encouraging and lifting up the elders because he was also an elder. Peter understood the persecutions, the trials and tribulations they had endured for he too had witnessed the sufferings of Christ and experienced his own. Do we really understand what our seniors have endured and why we are blessed that God allowed them to be with us?

Of course many who are not seniors will say, I have been through so much, probably more than them. I suggest to you that only God knows their story. For the past sixty plus year did you know that our seniors have probably, had more heartache, heartbreak, shed more tears, buried more love ones, been lied on more, been talked about more, and probably been mistreated more. They have entered back doors, and sat in the back of busses and auditoriums. They have eaten in restaurant kitchens, and drank in separate fountains. Despite all they have been through, each one is a witness to the goodness of God, and can testify how they made it over.

For all that they have been through; I would like to tell all of the seniors, the elders, both males and females, THANK YOU! Thank you for standing for righteousness and justice. Thank you for enduring hardship and trials that I might live in harmony with all humanity. Thank you for trusting God and leaning not on your own understanding, for because of you I too have learned to trust Him. We lift you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May His Grace, His Love and His Power be yours today and throughout all eternity! Brothers and Sisters in Christ, are you lifting them up?

Pastor SP Courtney

Friday, February 19th, 2010
DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE A STAR
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" -Philippians 2:13-15

Not a Hollywood star, with a fake persona and temporary fame, but a real star with the ability to shine throughout all eternity. Many people are depressed and disappointed with their life because they envy the glitz and glamour of the so-called stars. Those individuals who appear to living a life filled with happiness, goodness and peace of mind. Yet, we find out all too often that those that we see smiling for the camera, are crying themselves to sleep.

If only they knew what we are suppose to already know? We who are believers and followers of Jesus Christ are already Stars. Neither with a fake personal nor with temporary fame, rather our light should shine continuously because its source is eternal. The apostle Paul suggests that God is working in us, that we might do His will. Our part is to humble ourselves and willing do the things that he has predestined us to do. If we do it without complaining, then we will appear blameless, as the sons of God without rebuke standing in the midst of a crooked nation. We will shine as lights to this dark world, appearing as shiny stars, lighting the way in darkness.

It is not our own light that illuminates, but the light of the Jesus that lives in us. His light is not temporary but eternal. His light does not need cameras, props, or manmade power. His light is powered by the glory and majesty of God. His light prepares, proves and protects us for and from all unrighteousness. Being a star in Jesus, suggests that we will be His light in the world and that all will know Him through us. Did you know you were already a star?

Pastor SP Courtney

 
Friday, February 12th, 2010
HAVE YOU LOVED LIKE JESUS
 
Valentine is often a day when we attempt to express love to those who we claim to have an affection for, by doing a kind deed, or giving a token of our love. However, true love is not something expressed on an occasion, but rather true love, is a permanent practice that we persistently perfect in how we live our lives daily. Jesus statement about love to the disciples in the book of John follows his life line that he throws to them in chapter fourteen verse one. After expressing to them the many problems that will confront them after his departure, he instructs them how to act in order to make it through troublesome times.
 
His instructions come in the form of a commandment not a suggestion. Love one another, like Christ had loved them. Perhaps you think that you understand love, but have you really loved like Jesus. Have you love unconditionally, sacrificially, have you loved your enemies and prayed for them who talked about you and misused you. Have you given of yourself without expecting anything in return? Have you loved knowing that you might be betrayed but you love anyway, have you loved so that others know who you are, even though they might deny knowing you before men.
 
 Jesus demonstrated a love that was willing to die, for the object of his love. He loved us, and gave his life for us. What are you willing to give, not in material things but out of the resources of your heart. You may have loved, like Casanova or some other fictitious expression of love, but the true measurement is when you are committed to love.

As an individual and as a church, the body of Christ must commit to loving like Jesus. This Valentines, make your love count, love like Jesus.

Pastor SP Courtney

Friday, February 5th, 2010
WHAT IF THAT WAS AN ANGEL
"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." -Hebrew 13:1-2
 
 
 It is my humble opinion that the writer of Hebrews opening line in chapter 13, is one of the most profound one liners? “Let brotherly love continue.” He says as if to suggest that the believers he was writing to had demonstrated a love for one another that revealed the love of God within them. He follows this one liner with a reminder that God’s heavenly angels, often visit the earthly realm.
While many sermons are preached about our duty as Christians to treat one another right, love one another, to be concerned about one another’s well being, the writer’s presents us with something to think about. What if that was an angel that you rolled your eyes at? What if that was an angel that you blew your horn at and said those colorful words to? What if that was an angel who you lied on, talked about and mistreated? What if that was an angel that you were rude to for no reason at all?
Perhaps you never considered this thought and you have not always let your little light shine. I encourage you, before you conduct yourself in a non Christian way towards someone else, what if that was an angel?
Pastor SP Courtney