(by pastor Jean)
“That the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:23; NLT). That is an amazing verse stating that God loves us as much as He loves Jesus (see also John 17:26). Romans chapter 5, verse 5 further states that the love of God has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. God’s love resides in our hearts! John chapter 16, verse 27 explains to us why God loves us and it is because we love and believe in Jesus (see also John 14:21 where Jesus also added that God the Father will not only love us but reveal Himself to us). The fact that God loves us is reiterated in 1 John 4:16 and the apostle John adds that we must really believe this love. It’s one thing to glibly say, “God loves me” but its by reading about and meditating on His love that we really believe it deep down in our hearts. When we do that and truly get a revelation of God’s love for us, we can then say, “God’s love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Once we have a revelation of God’s great love for us (so great that He sent His Son to die for us) then we are in a position to truly love God and others with His love (John 13:34) and Jesus tells us that if we do that it will be a witness to the world (John 13:35). Meditate on God’s love today and then share it with someone else!
((by pastor Norman)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33; NKJV). As we focus on God and His Kingdom ways as our first priority, He will bless us and take care of all of our needs The word seek in the Bible has a sense of seeking earnestly and diligently and to strive, this is no casual process. In the Old Testament God’s people were frequently exhorted to seek God (Eg Zeph 2:3), to seek Him with their whole heart (Jer 29:13) and continually (Ps 105:4). We have Christ on the inside of us but we need to seek revelation of all He did for us at the cross and the amazing new life and ministry He has for us. We should take our eyes from the things of the world around us (Col 3:1-2). Let’s walk in faith that God rewards us as we earnestly seek Him (Heb 11:6). The apostle Paul wrote that he considered so much of his old life before he met Christ as rubbish and he yearned to, “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10a; NKJV). Paul said, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid whole of me” (Phil 3:12b; NKJV). Paul, even at a stage in life that he was writing epistles, did not think he had complete revelation of God’s promises but he kept pressing and seeking (Phil 3:13-14). How do we seek and press into revelation of all God has for us? We need to be reading, studying, and meditating God’s word, seeking revelation with our whole heart. This takes lots of quality time, discipline and effort, but the results are life changing.
(by pastor Norman)
Have you ever been faced with a situation and fear has risen up on the inside of you? Will I lose my job? Where will the money come from? How can I deal with these symptoms? Is this the end of my marriage? Why do I have no peace in my life? Fear does not come from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7; NKJV). “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father” (Rom 8:15; NKJV). Now these verses should cheer you up! When you think about it fear is the opposite to faith. We are to walk in faith (2 Cor 5:7) and there is no reason we can’t remove fear from our lives. Faith is a firm trust in God but fear arises when we lack trust in God. How then do we deal with fear? Well, the Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom 10:17). In order to build up our faith to resist fear we must meditate on all of the scriptures we can find on fear such as the ones above and other verses like, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa 41:10; NKJV). We need to change our thinking (Rom 12:2), cast our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7), bring our prayer requests to God with thankful hearts and His peace will overwhelm us (Phil 4:6-7). Most importantly, we must walk in love for, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18a; NKJV).
(by pastor Jean)
In the book of Revelation, we are told that God will create a new heaven and new earth and that it will come down out of heaven (Rev 21:1,2) and it will be called the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:10). We are also told that there will be no sin, sorrow, crying or pain in this city (Rev 21:4). The size and beauty of the city are also described in detail (Rev 21:10-23), it is hard to imagine the great beauty of this city because it will shine with the glory of God (Rev 21:11). It is clearly stated that only those whose names are written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” will be allowed there (Rev 21:27). It is interesting that Isaiah prophesied about this in great detail (Isa 65:17-25). He actually includes a lot more detail than we find in Revelation 21, for example, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bull, and dust shall be the serpent’s food” (Isa 65:25; MEV). Jesus referred to the New Jerusalem in Matthew chapter 24 verse 35 when He said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words will never pass away.” He also told us to be ready and to be anticipating these things (Matt 24:44). According to Revelation 21 this will take place after the 1,000 year reign of Christ and it is the final, eternal dwelling place of God and His people, “And they shall reign forever and ever” Amen! (Rev 22:5; MEV). Get ready!!!
(by pastor Norman)
How often do we stop to think about all Jesus suffered for us at the end of His life, paying the price for our sins? He was arrested and taken before the leaders of His own people, struck in the face, spat on and mocked (Matt 26:27). The Roman leader, Pilate, had Him scourged with a whip of leather strips loaded with pieces of sharp metal (Matt 27:26). The soldiers then mocked Him, placing a crown of thorns on His head; beating and spitting on Him (Matt 27:26-31). Finally, Jesus was nailed to a cross, (Matt 227:35) and after His death, His side was pierced with a spear (John 19:34). His suffering was prophesied by Isaiah the prophet (Isa 53:1-12). In verse 5 of Isaiah 53 we read, “Christ was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities” (NKJV). The apostle Peter wrote, “He bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24a; NKJV) and the apostle Paul wrote, “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor 5:21a; NKJV). Due to Jesus’ suffering for our sins, “His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human” (Isa 52:14; NLT). As He bore the effects of the sins of the world, Jesus was completely separated from God, “My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt 27:46b). However, praise God, what a victory Jesus won for each one of us by His sacrifice: forgiveness (Col1:14), salvation (2 Cor 5:17), righteousness (Rom 5:17), redemption from the effects of sin in our old life (Gal 3: 13-14), healing (1 Peter 2:24), and God’s abundant eternal life for evermore (John 3:16); “praise God”!