(by pastor Norman)
“Obey My voice and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you” (Jer 7:23; NKJV). God says to obey Him according to all His commands, not just some, or just according to those we agree with, then things will go well for us. We are called to not just read but to do all that the word directs us to do, if we don’t then we are fooling ourselves to think we are practicing the Christian faith (James 1:22). Jesus said quite simply, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15; NKJV) and in keeping these commandments we will be immersed in His love (John 15:10). If we hear God’s word and obey it, we will be blessed (Luke 11:28) and eat the best the land produces (Isa 1:19). Noah built an ark on dry land in obedience to God and survived the flood (Heb 11:7). Abraham left his home in obedience to God with no idea where he was going and through him God established His people, Israel (Heb 11:8). Jesus was obedient to the point of death (Phil 2:8) so that we could be forgiven and restored to relationship with God. Obedience to God is to walk in love (2 John 1:6), humility (Micah 6:8), dying to self and taking up our cross daily (Matt 16:24). We are to follow Christ, completely compliant to His will, His ways and His word in faith, fearing nothing. God calls us to deny the flesh and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:25) so that we enjoy His fullness of life serving the kingdom.
(by pastor Jean)
The writer of Lamentations was overwhelmed with sorrow due to the destruction of Jerusalem; he even said that he cried so much that he had no more tears left and his heart was broken (Lam 2:11). But then after almost 3 chapters of mourning he suddenly remembers something, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness (Lam 3:21-23; ESV). He is reminded of God’s faithfulness and it gives him hope. When we are going through difficult seasons in life we would do well to remind ourselves of the same thing. If we take a moment to thank God for all His blessings it will give us hope too. Psalm 68:19 says that God, “daily loads with benefits” (NKJV). To be “loaded” is to have a surplus of something. There may be some people who are thinking, “I don’t really have much of a surplus of anything.” Well, don’t forget that God woke you up this morning, He provides you with food to eat, clean water to drink and shower in and the list goes on. I’m sure we can all find at least a few things that prove God’s faithfulness that will give us hope and renew our faith in God. When we do this, it helps us get our minds off our problems and onto God. “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess 5:18).
(by pastor Norman)
Sometimes in our humility as Christians we are unwilling to accept how precious and important we are to God. It was King David that praised God because he had been, “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Ps 139:14; NKJV). This applies to all of us. What love God has for us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; NKJV). Through this sacrifice on the cross Jesus paid the price for our forgiveness that we could be born again spiritually and have fellowship with God (Col 1:14, John 3:1-7, 1 John 1:3). God loves us so much that He calls us His children (1 John 3:1-2), we have been adopted as His sons and daughters (Gal 4:4-5). The apostle Paul wrote that we have been picked by God (Col 3:12) and in the first epistle of Peter we read, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9; NKJV). Paul calls us His workmanship, masterpiece, handiwork or poem (Eph 2:10). At the day of judgment in the end times the Lord said His Christian people will be called His “jewels” or “special treasures” (Mal 3:17). Wow! Whenever anyone talks to you in a demeaning manner as a Christian, just smile and reflect on how precious you are to God, His jewel!
(by pastor Jean)
This beautiful blessing was given by God to Moses for Aaron and the priests to bless the children of Israel. This blessing is still as powerful today as it was some 3,400 years ago. “The Lord bless you and keep you” (v24). The Hebrew word for bless is “barak” and it means to kneel in order to bestow favour and well-being on a person. The word “keep” is often translated as protect or guard. “The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you” (v25). When God’s face is shining on you it is as if He is smiling at you. He is looking at you with pleasure and favour. Being gracious is bestowing goodness and kindness. “The Lord lift up His countenance on you” (v26) Countenance can mean presence and suggests God’s attention, approval and delight and it results in peace (v 26) (shalom), completeness, wholeness, soundness (the Amplified Bible adds “tranquility of heart and life continually.) “The verse following this amazing blessing is often missed, “So they will put My name on the children of Israel, and then I will bless them” (Num 6:27; NKJV). This means that every time this blessing is prayed over us God’s name becomes a part of us – in other words, we receive all God’s authority, character and power in addition to His blessing! So, if you’re having a bad day today remember that God is smiling at you. He approves of you. He loves you. He wants to extend His grace to you. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life “(Ps 23:6).
(by pastor Norman)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19; NKJV). The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity along with the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ). The Holy Spirit (Spirit of Jesus) lives in each one of us as Christians (Gal 4:6) and is the power of God (Acts 1:8, 2 Peter 1:3-4). This is the same Spirit that filled Jesus just after He was baptized by John the Baptist (John 3:13-17) and enabled Him to do all that He did in His earthly ministry (Acts 10:38). That same power raised Him from the dead (Rom 8:11). As we read the Bible God’s Spirit reveals the word to us, teaching us and bringing God’s direction to our lives (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit (Rom 8:16) with an “inner witness” a thought, an idea, a scripture, a sense of direction that comes with a strong sense of peace and assurance, such as the disciples of Jesus experienced when the risen Christ walked and talked with them on the road to Emmaus. They did not know it was Jesus at the time (Luke 24:13-35). God can also guide us by His Spirit with a quiet and gentle inner voice (1 Kings 19:11-12). God’s divine power enables us to receive all of His promises for us, His abundant life and the power to witness for Him (2 Peter 1:3-4, John 10:10b, Mark 16:15-18). If we allow, that same power will transform us to be more and more like Jesus (2 Cor 3:18), Gal 5:22-23). Let’s humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit access to our lives.