We live in a world that is in distress. Due to the distress in the world; its effects roll onto its occupants. If we look only at the distress of nations and individuals we can become obsessed with fear and lose hope.
Into a distressed world Jesus came "as a root out of dry ground." To me this simply means he came at what we would think was the most improbable time with the "good news" of God's Kingdom. Into this Kingdom we are invited to find rest, peace and forgiveness. With the rest God gives in our soul thereby giving hope, we then have peace with God due to having our sins forgiven. When God fills the void in our lives other things are not quite as important as they once were. As a matter of fact our priorities of life change for the better and not the worse. We have all observed individuals who have great peace during great difficulty. Upon closer observation we may find that they have a strong faith in God and His Word. Having this assurance helps us face many things with hope and sureness that the outcome is totally up to God. We don't have to wring our hands and lament our position. We can clap our hands and praise God who does all thigns well.
I trust that this word will encouarage you as you face this new week. Put your trust in Christ and your days will be filled with peace. God bless you.
Walter Rose
Pastor
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Resting yet awake
Matthews gospel chapter 25 vs 1-5 tells the story of ten virgins. They all took their lamps and were waiting for the bridegroom. It goes on to say that five were wise and five were foolish. Five took no oil with them while the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom was delayed they all slumbered and slept.
One thing that Jesus taught over and again was the need to remain careful and alert in the things of God.
The Word of God tells that dangerous times will accompany the end times. Someone said: "To be forewarned is to be forearmed."
How is it possible to be resting yet awake?
The flesh grows weary while waiting and the flesh was exhausted.
Several factors contribute to the same state of drowsiness which grips many Christians today.
1. The delay of the 2nd Coming causes some believers to grow weary and lose patinece.
2. The increase in violence and ungodliness in the universe makes it easier to stay locked away in one's own little world of survival.
3. A general disinterest in spiritual matters makes it seem less and less worthwhile to continue to confront the increasing cynicism, pessimism, and unbelief that permeats our surroundings.
4. Continuous opposition from demonic forces takes its toll on the human frame.
WE ALL ARE SUBJECT TO BECOMING FATIGUED
Along with fatigue our temptation is to just give up the struggle and take it easy.
THere is an ANTIDOTE to this sense of apathy.
"A FRESH OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Read the following scripture passages, then pray to our Heavenly Father for HIS renewal in our lives.
Isaiah 28:11-12
Luke 24:49
Acts 1:7-8
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 10:44-46
Let the Word of God bring faith to your life. Ask God to fill and renew your spirit thereby finding rest and being awake. Most likely you will rest better and be more awake than you have been for a while. Do it today!
Walter Rose
Pastor
One thing that Jesus taught over and again was the need to remain careful and alert in the things of God.
The Word of God tells that dangerous times will accompany the end times. Someone said: "To be forewarned is to be forearmed."
How is it possible to be resting yet awake?
The flesh grows weary while waiting and the flesh was exhausted.
Several factors contribute to the same state of drowsiness which grips many Christians today.
1. The delay of the 2nd Coming causes some believers to grow weary and lose patinece.
2. The increase in violence and ungodliness in the universe makes it easier to stay locked away in one's own little world of survival.
3. A general disinterest in spiritual matters makes it seem less and less worthwhile to continue to confront the increasing cynicism, pessimism, and unbelief that permeats our surroundings.
4. Continuous opposition from demonic forces takes its toll on the human frame.
WE ALL ARE SUBJECT TO BECOMING FATIGUED
Along with fatigue our temptation is to just give up the struggle and take it easy.
THere is an ANTIDOTE to this sense of apathy.
"A FRESH OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Read the following scripture passages, then pray to our Heavenly Father for HIS renewal in our lives.
Isaiah 28:11-12
Luke 24:49
Acts 1:7-8
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 10:44-46
Let the Word of God bring faith to your life. Ask God to fill and renew your spirit thereby finding rest and being awake. Most likely you will rest better and be more awake than you have been for a while. Do it today!
Walter Rose
Pastor
Monday, October 11, 2010
Walking In Righteousness
The word "righteousness" is a word that seems to indicate achievement and recognition for spiritual grandeur. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that with the mouth one confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and with the heart we believe unto righteousness.
Abraham was recognized for being a righteous man. God's Word speaks of standing in the congregation of the righteous. So what is righteousness?
Again I have studied scripture for more that 40 years and not until just a few years ago did I begin to understand what righteousness truly means.
The state of righteousness really speaks of "continuous, faithful acts of obedience to and toward God." With this in mind you and everyone else has the same ability to achieve righteousness as you simply and faithfull walk in the statutes of God and obey God's voice or promptings. God does not withhold access to anyone who truly searches after Him. This should give each of us hope and courage as we seek God.
Have a great week.
Walter Rose
Pastor
Abraham was recognized for being a righteous man. God's Word speaks of standing in the congregation of the righteous. So what is righteousness?
Again I have studied scripture for more that 40 years and not until just a few years ago did I begin to understand what righteousness truly means.
The state of righteousness really speaks of "continuous, faithful acts of obedience to and toward God." With this in mind you and everyone else has the same ability to achieve righteousness as you simply and faithfull walk in the statutes of God and obey God's voice or promptings. God does not withhold access to anyone who truly searches after Him. This should give each of us hope and courage as we seek God.
Have a great week.
Walter Rose
Pastor
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Living
Living seems to be an all inclusive word that can be subscribed to just about anything. This morning I picked up a small lizard that was barely alive. It had made a long journey across the parking lot and he was small. I picked it up and placed it into the foilage of a plant hopeing to give it a chance to live.
Many individuals under the guise of living have traveled over a long strenuous path somewhat like the parking lot. Hard, dry and long and you are just about to die. This may describe you today. Just as I picked up the small lizard and gave it a chance to live so Jesus comes by us in our state of despair and picks us up (in our case if we are willing) and gives us "true life." Not just a supposed life but one that truly enables and satisfies each of us in our walk of "life." When Jesus reaches down to you today don't try to evade Him as the lizard tried to evade me but accept His hand of healing and help for your need.
Jesus encouraged the "woman at the well" to drink of the living water which truly quenches the thirst and gives us energy to complete the race.
May God bless your day and may you remember the "Lord's Day".
Pastor Rose
Many individuals under the guise of living have traveled over a long strenuous path somewhat like the parking lot. Hard, dry and long and you are just about to die. This may describe you today. Just as I picked up the small lizard and gave it a chance to live so Jesus comes by us in our state of despair and picks us up (in our case if we are willing) and gives us "true life." Not just a supposed life but one that truly enables and satisfies each of us in our walk of "life." When Jesus reaches down to you today don't try to evade Him as the lizard tried to evade me but accept His hand of healing and help for your need.
Jesus encouraged the "woman at the well" to drink of the living water which truly quenches the thirst and gives us energy to complete the race.
May God bless your day and may you remember the "Lord's Day".
Pastor Rose
Thursday, October 7, 2010
We Must Keep Trying
A startling statement was made to me several years ago by a person who refused to keep trying and improving themselvs in order to reach the lost.
As we all know (or should know) the Word of God does not change however the world we live in is changing its outlook and methods. Into this volatile mix the Word of God still is the antidote for every person. Each of us should try to be aware, at least in part, what will reach the lost for Christ.
I am told that the world changes approximately every three to four years while the church changes its "sacred methods" every thirty years. We again cannot mishandle the Word of God but we must try to be relevant enough to at least get others to listen to us.
Jesus said that love never fails. With this in mind we ought to check out our love for God and our love for those who are steeped in the effects of sin. This love is not necessarily a gushy type of love but is one that recognizes the God given possibilities in the lost soul and works to bring His love to them. Hopefully they will accept. Jesus said that one of the churches listed in Revelation had left their first love. This is something to contemplate. What about our first love?
Jesus knows that we are weak and prone to slide or back away from our first fervency. It is up to us to recognize from whence we have backed away ever so slowly and make our way back to a love that will infuse us with new strength and vigor.
Satan's job is to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. Seek the abundant life in Christ and see His mercies as they arise in newness with the sun rise of every new day.
May God bless your life with freshness. Its worth keeping on trying.
Pastor Rose
As we all know (or should know) the Word of God does not change however the world we live in is changing its outlook and methods. Into this volatile mix the Word of God still is the antidote for every person. Each of us should try to be aware, at least in part, what will reach the lost for Christ.
I am told that the world changes approximately every three to four years while the church changes its "sacred methods" every thirty years. We again cannot mishandle the Word of God but we must try to be relevant enough to at least get others to listen to us.
Jesus said that love never fails. With this in mind we ought to check out our love for God and our love for those who are steeped in the effects of sin. This love is not necessarily a gushy type of love but is one that recognizes the God given possibilities in the lost soul and works to bring His love to them. Hopefully they will accept. Jesus said that one of the churches listed in Revelation had left their first love. This is something to contemplate. What about our first love?
Jesus knows that we are weak and prone to slide or back away from our first fervency. It is up to us to recognize from whence we have backed away ever so slowly and make our way back to a love that will infuse us with new strength and vigor.
Satan's job is to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. Seek the abundant life in Christ and see His mercies as they arise in newness with the sun rise of every new day.
May God bless your life with freshness. Its worth keeping on trying.
Pastor Rose
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Change Is Not Just An Event
I have shared about change in previous blogs and once again I approach the subject. Change can be a very welcome or very unwelcome event in our lives. It depends on our perspective. Change is an event that continues in an ever growing series of events that will take us to a destination. Hopefully the change we make is the change we want. I read yesterdays news today and was not surprised to see that change took place at the polling place this past Saturday. Now it is up to the newly elected persons to be a driving force in making positive change that will not be just a quick fix but a long term solution.
I talked with an individual this morning and they have a feeling of expectancy of good things that will come as a result of the voice of the people. I truly hope that the aspirations of those elected will be a great force in our community and society at large.
There is one change that is necessary for us to make long term successes in our walk of life. A voice from the past and presently with us is the voice of Jesus Christ who said "you must be born again." Some resent the message while others embrace and live the message. Salvation is not just an event. It is a life long pursuit having been saved from our sins and being continusously saved from making the same sinful mistakes over and over. What a relief to know that our past no longer drives us into futile effort; but our present in Christ leads us to beneficial and peaceful paths of righteousness. This can be your gift from God. Just reach out and receive Jesus into your heart and His promise to forgive you will be a welcome event in your life. Your life then will be lead with greater purpose and the fulfillment of sharing your faith by life and word.
May God bless your day(s).
Pastor Rose
I talked with an individual this morning and they have a feeling of expectancy of good things that will come as a result of the voice of the people. I truly hope that the aspirations of those elected will be a great force in our community and society at large.
There is one change that is necessary for us to make long term successes in our walk of life. A voice from the past and presently with us is the voice of Jesus Christ who said "you must be born again." Some resent the message while others embrace and live the message. Salvation is not just an event. It is a life long pursuit having been saved from our sins and being continusously saved from making the same sinful mistakes over and over. What a relief to know that our past no longer drives us into futile effort; but our present in Christ leads us to beneficial and peaceful paths of righteousness. This can be your gift from God. Just reach out and receive Jesus into your heart and His promise to forgive you will be a welcome event in your life. Your life then will be lead with greater purpose and the fulfillment of sharing your faith by life and word.
May God bless your day(s).
Pastor Rose
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Fulfillment
Fulfillment is a word that describes fullness in process and completion. Around this word there seems to be a slippery slope. Slippery because many try to become fulfilled in many ways and some ways lead to severe pain and disappointment.
I, like so many have tried to find fulfillment in several ways yet true fulfillment came when the one who truly fulfills came into my life. His name of course is none other than Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Alcohol, parties, sports and personal pursuits did not satisfy except on a temporary basis.
Jesus admonished the woman at the well to drink from the well that satisfies.
The true need in everyone of us is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we recognize our sinful state and the need to be redeemed Jesus fills the need. Someone said: Money can't cure our ills as it can only helps us to have finer things in our misery.
Jesus came to give us hope. As He has given to us we then can give to others thereby helping bring fulfillment into our lives. God made us to be receivers and givers. Receiving without
giving brings frustration and a false concept of what life is all about.
Jesus gave His life that we might have life. Each of us are to take up our cross and pass on what we are in Christ. I trust that you will seek and find fulfillment in your life.
Doctors say that every depressed person needs hours of sunlight per day. If you are spiritually depressed get into the SON LIGHT for hours every day and watch your life change.
God bless you today and I hope to see you in church tomorrow.
Pastor Rose
I, like so many have tried to find fulfillment in several ways yet true fulfillment came when the one who truly fulfills came into my life. His name of course is none other than Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Alcohol, parties, sports and personal pursuits did not satisfy except on a temporary basis.
Jesus admonished the woman at the well to drink from the well that satisfies.
The true need in everyone of us is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When we recognize our sinful state and the need to be redeemed Jesus fills the need. Someone said: Money can't cure our ills as it can only helps us to have finer things in our misery.
Jesus came to give us hope. As He has given to us we then can give to others thereby helping bring fulfillment into our lives. God made us to be receivers and givers. Receiving without
giving brings frustration and a false concept of what life is all about.
Jesus gave His life that we might have life. Each of us are to take up our cross and pass on what we are in Christ. I trust that you will seek and find fulfillment in your life.
Doctors say that every depressed person needs hours of sunlight per day. If you are spiritually depressed get into the SON LIGHT for hours every day and watch your life change.
God bless you today and I hope to see you in church tomorrow.
Pastor Rose
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