Do You Believe It?

"WHAT God did makes sense. It makes sense that Jesus would be our sacrifice because a sacrifice was needed to justify man's presence before God. ... However, WHY God did it is absolutely absurd. When one leaves the method and examines the motive, the carefully stacked blocks of logic begin to tumble. That type of love isn't logical; it can't be neatly outlined in a sermon or explained in a term paper. ... It IS inexplicable. It doesn't have a drop of logic nor a thread of rationality. And yet, it is that very irrationality that gives the gospel its greatest defense. For only God could love like that." (Max Lucado)

The message of the Gospel provides us the opportunity to believe that God loves us so much that He willfully chooses to forgive us of our sins. Or we can choose to reject this message due to the fact that we can not discern a logical answer to the question of "WHY would He do that for me?" The words of Max Lucado stirred my heart this morning. I have been preaching the message of the Gospel since 1971 and I still struggle with the "WHY." I know the story of Christ that we find in the pages of the Bible but I soon remember the distance that I once had between myself and God and I wonder "Why would He love me?" But then I soon realize that the same Bible declares that "God is love" and I soon begin to realize that it is His love for me that opens the door of salvation for me as well as for my fellow human beings. 

Have you ever struggled with the question; "Why would God love me?" Do you know of someone today who is struggling with that same question? That question is only answered as we move from a logical approach to the situation and move into a faith approach. Faith causes us to accept the fact that Christ died on the cross for every human being that has lived, will live or is presently living in this world. Logic will never be able to put its hands around this display of love. But faith operating in the strength of humility will bring us to Christ with a heart of genuine repentance. It is at this moment that we are able to receive the fullness of the love of God into our lives and it is at this moment that we are adopted in the family of God with the spiritual designation of either son or daughter. 

Oh, what a glorious revelation that the love of God brings into our lives. Take a moment and rejoice in the fact that God loves you!! Take a moment and reflect on the moment that you asked Christ to forgive you!! Take a moment and recommit your life to Christ and offer yourself to Him as a willing servant that will live out your life through the power of Grace!!

Season of Seeking

Psalm 63:1, "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." (NKJV)

The Psalmist David expressed many wonderful desires that his heart felt toward God. One of them referenced his thirst for more of God in His life. Each of us needs to have that same desire or passion for more of God in our lives. The enemy has many weapons in his arsenal that he uses against us. We even walk through "dry places" or even "dry seasons" in which God seems very distant. But the song says "He is as close as the mention of His name..." The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians that the "Lord is at hand." God is near even when we walk through those dry seasons and He just waits for us to call on His presence to assist us at that time on our journey.

I believe that we are living in a "Season of Seeking." The presence of God is calling for us to draw nearer to Him. He understands the challenges and obstacles that each of us face BUT He is the Source for all of the resources that we need to overcome those obstacles and challenges. We just need to be bold, brave, courageous and call on Him. He will provide the strength that we need.

Are we willing to seek God with all of our heart? He is awaiting our response!!!

What will be Our RESPONSE

The past few weeks have been very challenging from a "pastoral" point of view. People that I know, love and care about are facing some difficult situations. But it is also true that during those moments God reveals His strength, might and power. He ministers to our weaknesses and provides His strength as a replacement. That is not a bad trade for any of us. I exchange my weaknesses for His strength. I believe that I will come out a winner every time when I participate in that trade. I would like to share a portion of our note that I sent to our congregation today.

Isaiah 26:4, "Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength." (NKJV)

I wanted to take this opportunity to encourage you today. I don't know all that you are facing but I do know about the True and Living God and I know that He is interested in your life today. Both of the services on Sunday reminded us about the strength of God. I would encourage you to read Isaiah 40:25-31 (I especially enjoyed the New Living Translation of this passage) at your convenience. I believe this passage of the Word of God will release encouragement into your heart today.

I truly sense that God is at work in our community of believers. Many of us are choosing to respond to the call from God. You may say, "Pastor what is that call from God?" I believe that much of the call it is defined in James 4:8a, " Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." (NKJV) God is calling for a response but He has promised to respond to our response to Him. WOW!!! Isn't that an awesome promise from the Lord who is our "everlasting strength." Whatever you or you family needs is found in Him!!!

Will you take time to respond to God today?