JAN 2016

Will You Forgive somebody Today?  

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

(Mark 11:26) 

Perhaps there is no greater burden, no greater obstacle in the life of most believers than that of un-forgiveness. We figure out and most will grow in the area of service. We get to a place where we don't mind doing things as we believe for the kingdom of God. We don't mind even being nice to other people and trying to treat our neighbor right. But, when someone or somebody does something to us that we feel is wrong, we in our minds deem it to be unforgivable, then we will hold on to that no matter what. We sing amazing grace, yet we have un-forgiveness in our heart. Yet, each of us, all of us, stands right now in need of forgiveness. (Will You Forgive somebody Today? )

It is the words of our Lord and Savior in Marks Gospel encouraging us, that it is imperative to our on forgiveness that we first forgive others. In fact he makes it clear, in the previous verse he said during your prayer you have a right to ask for forgiveness. If there is malice in your heart, if there is an issue that you need to bring before God then do it. We take this liberty and we call on His name Lord forgive me for this and forgive me for that. However, in verse 26, he cautions but. If you, the one in need of forgiveness, refuses to forgive others, then our Father in Heaven will also NOT forgive us.

Why would you risk, blocking your own blessings over a few dollars, or an unkind word spoken last week or last year? Why would you block your deliverance because you disagree with someone or dislike their stance on something? I don't care what it is, or why you need to forgive them, today is the day to be free. FORGIVE, LET GO AND BE FORGIVEN. "Will You Forgive Somebody Today?

Pastor SP Courtney

What do you do when you need to get through?  

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. (Psalm 35:13) 

Most believers who have spent any time in worship, bible study or Sunday School have read about or heard the bible as it relates to trials and tribulations. While we can enjoy God's blessings and we can enjoy His favor, we will also encounter and endure many trials and tribulations. It is during those difficult times that we find ourselves calling on the name of the Lord. Yet there have been times, when each of us have struggled in our mind to get a prayer through. When because of our circumstances we feel discouraged and even in despair. (What do you do when you need to get through?)

The Psalmist in psalm 35 is David, and he is crying out to the Lord for help as he is being pursued by King Saul and other enemies. He is asking God to defend him and confound the enemy by putting them to shame. David is adamant that His situation cannot be resolved unless the Lord His God intervenes. The essence of verse 13, is that David reveals his role in ensuring God's power and His providential care manifesting in his now situation. He says, but as for me, I humbled myself, entered into a fast, put on sackcloth and then my prayer was answered. It's amazing how we complain about our circumstances, yet scripture gives us insight that God has afforded us access to draw closer to Him through fasting and prayer. Will you humble yourself, will you deny yourself, and will you cry out to God without complaining. Jesus says, "Some things can only be done through fasting and prayer! "What do you do when you need to get through?

Pastor SP Courtney

Do you have true fellowship?

"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. -1st Corinthians 1:9

We are often in our churches lacking real fellowship. It is a missing element in the lives of 21^st century believers as we go through our daily lives always going and coming. We get together for meetings, we sometime come together to break bread, but do we understand how the body of Christ experiences true fellowship. "Do you have true fellowship?

The Apostle Paul is addressing the members of the church at Corinth, whom he called saints in the name of Jesus Christ. God is faithful, which cause every believer to know that we can rely on our God. Paul then says, that He who is faithful is also responsible for our fellowship with Jesus Christ. True fellowship for every believer, the only fellowship that is essential and eternal is our fellowship with Christ.

Family, friends and acquaintances will break fellowship either intentionally or as a result of various live events. But we have the privilege of having fellowship with the triune God, through the blood of His only begotten son. If you are struggling with your earthly fellowship, examine your eternal fellowship.

The bible says in the book of Acts that the New Testament church had favor with God and man. True fellowship means you have entered into covenant relationship with Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you're Lord. If we are up he is there, if we are down he is there. If we are on the mountain or in the valley our Lord is there.

We should be thankful of our fellowship with Christ and we should be committed to fellowship with our fellow believers. "Do you have true fellowship?

Pastor Stuart P. Courtney