NOVEMBER MONTH 2012
WE HAVE TO BE GOOD EXAMPLES, ARE YOU
And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto al men, apt to teach, patient. (2nd Timothy 2:24, KJV)
Most believers consider themselves Kingdom participants, servants of the Most High God. However the question can be asked, are you a part time or full time servant? Do you consider only what you do as service or does what you say and how you present yourself contribute to what type of servant is revealed in your daily walk? No matter where we are or what we are doing if we truly love God and believe we are His servants then, We have to be good examples, are you?
The Apostle Paul is giving young Pastor Timothy great advice on how to be an example to the believers @ Ephesus. Charging him and the people to study t show themselves approved. Let everyone that calls on the name of Jesus to depart from iniquity. Also, as a servant of the Lord we must not strive, (which means to fight), but we must be gentle to everyone, willing to teach and be patient. These servant characteristics are critical to unity of the overall church. When one believer is kind, gentle and patient toward another it diffuses our differences. We will not always agree but as servants of the same God we ought not fight one another but in love do our best to live in harmony. Consider your title as servant and remember, We have to be good examples, are you?
Pastor SP Courtney
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING HERE
I was glad when they said untio me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates “O Jerusalem.”(Psalm 122:1=2) KJV
Perhaps many who enters into the House of God take little time to assess how they feel or whether being here have any impact on their emotional or spiritual self. Out of routine or repetition we get up get dress and come to church because that is what we do on Sunday. The 100th number of Psalms suggest we should “enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise.”. A thankful heart that is filled with praise should have a positive demeanor. “HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING HERE?”
Unfortunately most believers are distracted by whatever circumstances or situations clouding their minds as they leave home. Whether financial, mental, emotional or physical, life’s circumstances have a way of distracting us. Sometimes we are not distracted until we arrive at church. We see what folks are wearing or we hear what they are saying and we allow ourselves to lose focus. But the 122nd Psalm shouts, “I was GLAD when they said unto me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.” That’s how we should feel, GLAD!! Glad to be in God’s presence, glad to be with God’s people. Glad to be able to worship my God and to give Him praise. Glad to know Him as Lord, Savior and King!
“How do you feel about being here?”
Pastor SP Courtney
WHAT IF GRACE WAS NOT THERE
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. ”(Ephesians 2:8-9) KJV
I know that most believers have been singing about God’s Amazing Grace, even before they were saved. Every Sunday, there is either the actual singing of this great Hymn are a reference to how truly amazing God’s Grace is in the life of the believer. Yet, do we really understand the significance and the magnitude of God’s grace. It is not just about unmerited favor, but also its about an unsolicited gift. “What if Grace was not there?”
Paul’s expression to the Church at Ephesus is that we were saved by God’s grace through Faith. Grace and faith working together in concert brought about the salvation of humanity. It was not out of our goodness, our kindness nor our commitment to God the Father, but an unsolicited gift from our creator. It is unsolicited because Adam and Eve never ask God to save them. Adam lied about where he was and even blamed Eve for their circumstances. Instead of repenting and pleading with God Adam tried to hide from God.
During this season of thankfulness, every believer ought to sincerely thank God for His Grace. Thank Him for what Grace has done and what Grace continues to do right now. It is a frightening thought, but, “What if Grace was not there?”
Pastor SP Courtney
WHY JESUS WAS SENT
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ”(JOHN 3:17) KJV
When we discuss Christ and his sacrifice we perhaps forget that all that he did was out of obedience to the Father. He did not just come to earth, but he was sent by God the Father to reconcile humanity until himself. While we celebrate salvation on the cross do we truly appreciate the fact that Jesus left Heaven to die on earth. Ask yourself, “Why was he sent?”
Jesus in his conversation with the Pharisee Nicodemus, expressed to him that God;s plan was that Jesus arrived on earth with the purpose of saving humanity not condemning it. Which suggest that his establishment of the church was specifically designed to continue his work of saving souls? While we don’t have saving power we do have serving power. Our kingdom service is to preach and teach the Gospel and to tell a dying world that Jesus is the key to their salvation.
The many miracles that Jesus did, were not the core of His mission but a compliment to it. His purpose and His plan was to bring salvation to the Jews and the Gentileshat is God’s response when we give?”
, Pastor SP Courtney
