An Invitation to Worship With Us

An author was quoted saying, “Corporate worship is a regular gracious reminder that it’s not about you. You’ve been born into a life that is a celebration of another…”

So it is with this in mind that we invite you to join us for our 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services tomorrow.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate and worship our Lord and Savior for all the wonderful things that He is and has done. I cannot promise you a new house, a new car, or an unexpected check; and yes all those things are great and He is able to do all the above however if none of the above happens (this week) He is worthy and worth all that we have to offer Him!

We encourage you to invite your family & friends to what is anticipated to be a great time in the presence of our Lord!

It Is Written

Last Wednesday Night I said something in Bible Study that I would like to revisit…“Half if not most of the trouble I am in is my fault…. everything is not a demon, sometimes it is my own choices…”

As our local assembly enters the home stretch of our corporate fast I would like to leave you with a little food for thought.  The Bible tells us that when a man (woman) is tempted he is lured and enticed by his own desire (James 1:14).  Well Bishop, what does that have to do with fasting? I am so glad you asked!  The Bible also tells us that when Jesus fasted, the devil was there to tempt Him (Matthew 4:1).  Now, I am not so much interested in the devil in this story, but I do want to note that he is real and he does tempt, but glory be to God he is defeated! On three separate occasions, Jesus has a choice to make: To obey or disobey God. As we read the text, we find that Jesus chooses to obey. Which leads me to my point…While fasting, we make it a practice to deny ourselves those things which we desire…Jesus does the same thing; He said no to bread. Why? Because He knew that a piece of bread was not the key to His survival.  Jesus said no to testing God. Why? Because His feet were planted and He had complete trust that His Father would make provision for Him… Finally, He said no to bowing down to another god for riches. Why? Because He knew that those same riches were already His. 

People of God, when we fast we must build ourselves up (on our most holy faith) putting into practice the example Christ has given us. We must continue to deny ourselves of those things that God has said no to. We must not continue making decisions out of the will of God allowing trouble to continually lord over us. We have the power of choice! So let us live a fasted life. When faced with temptation, use the words of our Lord…. “IT IS WRITTEN…”

Ready or Not…

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”(Hebrews 10:19-25)

Here we are saints…at the end of another year! This gives me pause because I feel like it was just January the day before last. We were just coming out of Watch Night service thanking the Lord for bringing us another year and now we find ourselves stepping into 2014…Ready or not here it comes…

I am certain you are wondering where I could possibly be heading seeing that the aforementioned seemingly has nothing to do with the text above. However, I encourage you to lend me your insight as we see what we can draw from the text…We are at the threshold of 2014 and if we are completely honest with ourselves some things in our life look similar to last year this time. Do not misunderstand me, some things are different, some things are better, but how about the state of your walk. Does today, right now, look like last December. Are you hoping the Lord delivers you from the same affairs? Do you hope He brings you out of the same financial matters? Are you still working up your nerve to witness to the same co-worker? What does your walk look like? The text says, “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…” “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds…” And herein lies today’s point…It does not matter if you attend the biggest and latest ‘happening’ conference or if you have been on the willing-workers ministry for 30 years, if you have become stagnant or lackadaisical in your approach to the risen Savior. Since this time last year are you still praying the same prayers…have you given up on going before Him, in all sincerity of heart, and with no pre-set agenda other than being in His presence? Most of us read this text and run right to, “He who promised is faithful” and overlook the necessity of sincerely drawing to the Father believing whole-heartedly that He is everything we need. That no matter what tomorrow holds, HE IS! Most of us do not read past this point to notice that drawing near to Him should also draw you near to the people you walk with daily…Getting closer to God should provoke you to consider how to, “love thy neighbor as thy self.” To encourage, to build up, to rescue, to restore, etc. Where are you in your walk? Have you drawn closer to the Lord but have not reached out to your brother or sister whom you know is struggling? Have you drawn closer to Him but have not encouraged the one who sits beside you Sunday after Sunday? Where are you in your walk? Before we step into 2014 take a moment to identify your posture before Him, “and all the more as you see the day drawing near…” Ready or not here it comes…