The Love of God

One of the central themes of Scripture is the love of God.  We must see how God has woven a thread of redeeming love through the Bible, culminating with the greatest expression of love, Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus came for a people who needed to be redeemed. The definition of redemption is to be bought back, to be reclaimed usually through some cost, or to be recovered or rescued. God sent Jesus on the ultimate rescue mission, one that would cost Him his life. He knew all of it and yet he still came and gave his life for you and me. True love requires sacrifice, is selfless, and is honorable. 1 John 3 describes the amazing love of God that needs to be present in all our lives. “We love because he loved us first.” He revealed that love by giving His life as a ransom for many. How has God’s love been present in your life? Are you revealing that love daily?

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

What Made The Wise Men Wise? (Matthew 2:10-12)

1. They worshiped Him with the right attitude. These men were looking for the King. They expected to find Him. When they lost sight of the star for a brief period of time, they did not give up and go home. They kept going believing that something special had taken place. When they saw the star again, “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” (Matt 2:10).

Are you expecting to encounter the living Christ this Christmas?

2. They worshiped Him with the right altitude. I realize that sounds preacherly, but that’s what they did. When the magi arrived in Bethlehem and found the Child that they had been seeking for years, they fell on their faces and they worshiped. They didn’t stand there and gawk. They didn’t work the room pressing flesh and kissing babies. They weren’t worried about appearances. The text says the “fell down” and they “worshiped him.” (v. 11a)

How are you planning on spending your Christmas?

3. They worshiped Him with the right gratitude. The worship of the magi did not end with their falling prostrate before the young Child. Their worship continued as they presented their gifts. They brought riches not pittances. They brought their best not their leftovers. They brought gifts befitting a King. (v. 11b) What are you offering Jesus this Christmas? An occasional thought or the worship He deserves? ( Article: Peter Beck)

The bumper sticker says: Wise Men Still Worship Him.   Do you?

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

Who was St. Nicholas aka “Santa Claus”?

It is important to know authoritative history. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young.

Obeying Jesus’ words to “sell what you own and give the money to the poor,” Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church.

Source: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

Thanksgiving is Thanksliving

With another Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, I wanted to encourage you to remember the reasons we are to be thankful and hopefully explain the ways I believe we can cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I pray that this is helpful for you as you celebrate the holidays this year and look toward to the future year of 2020 with an expectation that God is going to do something great in your life and in our church. We must recognize the present blessings of God.

 I am reminded of the story in Luke 17:11-19 (10 Lepers & 1 Grateful Heart) The one man who was a Samaritan (outcast) recognized the healing that took place and returned to Jesus to praise Him for being Lord and Savior. I believe this man found not only physical healing, but spiritual healing as well. He did not take for granted his healing but recognized it as a gift from God! Like the other nine, too many times we take for granted the blessings of God, because we live in a nation who has all but forgotten the blessings of God. Revival is as close as your desire for it. God desires for personal renewal and seeks to use a nation who will call Him Lord. It begins with one grateful heart.

God bless you as live thankfully for Him!

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

Abiding in Christ

Abiding in Christ is the most vital place a believer can find themselves. The Word picture Jesus uses in John 15 is the Vine and branches. What is the Vine dresser’s goal for the Vine (branches)?  That the vine/branches bear more fruit. However, the danger in bearing more fruit, for the sake of bearing fruit can lead to self-contentment or self-sufficiency. As true branches we must guard against being fruitful for our glory, or we could end up as a dead limb.

The Vine dresser (God the Father) also “prunes” the Vine’s branches by cutting back, excess, old wood and excess shoots from branch to make it healthier. The function of pruning is to help the branch deepen its dependence on the vine and bear more fruit. The Vine dresser’s pruning knife is the Word of God. How did the Word (Christ) prune the disciples (branches) for growth? He taught them by example, walked alongside them, preparing them for the Spirit to fill them, and to empower them for their journey of bearing more fruit.

Abiding in Christ and pruning is accomplished for God’s glory. Hebrews 4:12 states, “the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing to the division of Soul and Spirit of the joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

Surrender vs. Commitment

Surrender is defined as yielding to the power of another, to submit possession of one-self. God calls us to absolute surrender to Him. Because God is our Holy Creator and Redeemer He deserves nothing less than absolute surrender. As believers, there can be no half-hearted attempts at following Christ.  Jesus taught His disciples that they must abandon “all” and follow Him. He told the rich young ruler to sell “all” he had and follow Him. (Matthew 16:25, Luke 18:18-23)

When theologian & author Andrew Murray asked a fellow pastor “what is the great need of the Church?”, the answer was, “absolute surrender was the one thing.” (Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray) The term absolute consists of giving everything for one cause, and upon completion having nothing left to give. Is this the cry of your heart? Absolute surrender to the will of God will revolutionize your prayer life, your devotional life and your walk with Christ.

Surrender is different than commitment. With commitment, you have a tendency to use your willpower to accomplish a task. Commitment is about you. Asolute surrender is about God and His will and power. One example of this is the subject of breakfast with the chicken and the pig. The chicken is committed and produces an egg. The pig absolutely surrenders and produces bacon.

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

ACTS of Prayer (Acts 2:42)

What are you devoted to? Most of us have a handful of things we spend our time and energy on. Where does prayer fit into your spiritual life? Sadly, I know in my life, prayer often becomes a last resort instead of a first priority. I believe if we are to see spiritual awakening in our Land and revival in our church, prayer must become a central priority in our lives. Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. We have that prayer recorded in Matthew 6. The outline of the ACTS of Prayer is a great way to specifically remember key points on prayer and how to pray effectively. God desires to hear our prayers and He longs to answer them according to His will.

Adoration: Praising God for WHO He is!! (Psalm 31:23-24)

Confession: Confessing our need for His forgiveness, love and cleansing! (1 John1:9)

Thanksgiving: Thankful for God’s provisions! (Psalm 100:4-5)

Supplication: Praying for Others! (1Timothy 2:1)

On Mission

Pastor Johnny

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

If you hang around long enough as a follower of Jesus, someone is bound to ask you this question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” It has no easy pat answer that will suffice. In reality, there is probably no way to fully answer the question in our lifetime. Without trivializing suffering, here are some potential biblical reasons for the need for this question.

First, Romans 8:22-25 says, that the “whole earth groans and suffers pain, seemingly longing for redemption.” Much of our perspective is that pain is bad, but many times pain is purifying, not joyful to endure, but necessary for leading us to search for a remedy and rely on God rather than our own strength.

Second, Romans 3-6 tells us that “sin” has broken all humanity both physically and spiritually. Again, to say “good people” should not suffer misses the point. There are no “good” people, only people in need of redemption living in a broken world.

Finally, there is hope for the suffering. All people need a Savior. Even for Christians, God does not always eliminate the pain or keep us from death, disease, or hurricanes. However, He promises to walk through the flood and fire with you, never leaving us alone. If you know Jesus you can know peace, even in the midst of a storm. (Isaiah 43, Hebrews 13)

On Mission

Pastor Johnny

A Father’s Heart

I truly believe that being a father is one of the hardest, yet rewarding opportunities on the planet. God gives us the chance to rear and shape little lives. Fatherhood is not just a title but a responsibility that changes lives for eternity. Our sons will learn how to be leaders, defenders, and a men of integrity from our example. Our daughters will learn what kind of man they should desire because of our love for our wives and our diligent nurturing.

God our Heavenly Father has established guidelines for fathers in His Word, and it centers around love, wisdom, and obedience. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, First, God establishes a pattern through His amazing love for His people Israel and the World through His Son Jesus. (vv.4-5) Second, He gave instructions on how to accomplish the task of Fatherhood for us, by setting an example of repeating the Word and diligently teaching our children what real-life obedience looks like. Finally, God gives us all the tools we need to be the father He desires, by seeking Him with all your heart, you are fulfilling this awesome task of fatherhood. (vv.6-9)

Being a father is not about being perfect; it’s about being available. Our children need to know they matter to us and to our God. Our children need to know we love them with no strings attached. Our culture screams that children are of no value, and where there is no value there is no hope. Fathers, we are the hope of the next generation.

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny

Two Kingdoms

The Bible describes the world in which we live in various ways, but one intriguing way is through word pictures. Jesus taught in parables, stories that have hidden, but profound meanings. When you understand Jesus’ parables you understand the thoughts of God toward His people. Jesus used parables to teach lessons on living for Truth, righteousness, love, and obedience. In Matthew He uses the term kingdom numerous times to describe a realm in which we live. There are two realms or kingdoms, the kingdom of heaven and earth (world). Jesus’ primary focus is on the value of the Kingdom of Heaven over the kingdom of this world.

In Matthew 13:44 Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” This parable speaks of the intrinsic value of knowing God. This parable speaks of the intrinsic worship of being willing to give up all you own on this earth to follow Christ. This parable speaks of the intrinsic joy of inheriting an eternal blessing that can only come from living for God. When it comes to Kingdom living there is only one choice of any lasting value.

On Mission,

Pastor Johnny