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Jesus

4/27/2015

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Romans 3:25 - God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood--to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.

Think about the day Jesus was crucified and the thoughts He had as they nailed Him to the cross.  He didn't hate or curse his executioners.  He looked upon them with pity and even prayed for them a few moments later (Luke 23:34).  That same Man looks at you and I with the same pity.  He gave His life for us and yet we ignore Him at every turn.


It's interesting how God the Father gave Jesus to us, not as a hero but as a sacrifice.  He was given to the world with one possible ending, He would die so He wouldn't have to punish us for our sins.  He gave us a way around the punishment we deserve through paying for those broken Laws with His own blood.  


We don't have to focus on His death all of the time, but we should remember it often.  Remember it when you begin to get selfish in your interactions with others.  Remember it when you're spending your money without thought or direction.  Remember it when you are being hateful to your loved one.  Remember Jesus died so you could be forgiven. Remember....then serve Him in love.
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The pains of Forgiveness

4/22/2015

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A buddy and I used to throw rocks off a bluff near my house until one day he hit me in the head with a rock.  I started bleeding and he started running...home....all the way home and into his room and locked his door to hide.  I ran to my mom and she bandaged me up.

He hurt me but I don't remember  being angry with him at all.  I was young had never held a grudge before so the next time I saw him we played together like we always did.   
In Genesis we find Joseph who had been betrayed by his brothers.  They assaulted him and sold him into slavery.  Through God's will, he rose to be second in charge of all Egypt.  When he is reunited with his brothers he holds no resentment or grudge against them.  Instead sees that God was working.  

Forgiveness is a decision the hurt person chooses.  It is painful and counter to our cultures teaching but it will free you from pain in the long run.  You can do it through the Lord helping you but it all starts with you trying.  God calls us to love each other...who do you need to love through the act of forgiveness?


Genesis 45:5 - ...do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 



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Loving God

10/7/2014

 
3 simple words some Christians never say are "I love God." This concept is detrimental to living your life in a way that brings glory to Him but is the least understood of the 2 commands (Luke 10:27). It is so much easier to show love to others through charitable giving, offering assistance, or just smiling at someone than it is to show love to The Lord our God.

Loving God takes lots of commitment because, like loving others it begins in the heart, He isn't as tangible as other people. At least, the Lord showed Himself to us in the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is present in heaven but has left us basic instructions on how to bring God glory:
  1. Understand how much Jesus loves you, then you love Him (1 John 4.19)
  2. If you love Him, He said you will obey Him (John 14.15,23)
  3. If you obey Him then you will abide in Him (John 15.10)
  4. If you abide in Him, you will bear fruit (John 15.4-5)
  5. If you bear fruit, you will glorify God (John 15.8)
  6. If you glorify God, you will have done what you were created for (Isaiah 43.7)*
We start with focusing on the love which Jesus showed to us and that will allow us to really start loving Him back.  The rest is in God's hands and you will be a success.

*adapted from Dr. Jim Kinnebrew


    Pastor Mark

    I'm a bi-vocational pastor and High School Science teacher.  I love my God, my family, and my church family. 

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