A Now Word for the Church at CCC
July 2011
Stay the Course
Stay the course I have mapped out and planned for you
individually and corporately as a body.
Do not veer to the right or to the left. Do not try to out plan Me. Do not try to shorten the pathway I have for you.
For you are in a season of being patient. A season of trusting in My plans as I reveal them. A season of trusting the place I have put you. Walk through this season with patience and with endurance and in My timing the season will change and you will see that My plans for you do not fail. And, My plans and pathways do not and will not lead you astray.
Do not listen to the spirit of darkness who would try to mislead you and cause you to stumble. Do not listen to the spirit of darkness that would have you pity yourself.
Know that you are a child of the King. A child of the Creator of heaven and earth. Follow My Word of Truth and My Holy Spirit and My plans for you will be fulfilled.
Stay the course.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
We Welcome You Jesus
September 2011
So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. – Luke 19:6
I shared this scripture at the beginning of the church service several weeks ago. They are words describing Zacchaeus, the tax collector after Jesus commanded him to “… come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
Two things I want to briefly mention:
First, Zacchaeus obeyed and came down at once and welcomed Jesus into his home. We are not told that there was any hesitation whatsoever. The words “at once” indicate to me that he took Jesus’ “immediately” to mean just that – immediately. Not later, not when he felt like it, not when it was convenient, not when there was less attention on him – but immediately.
Second, is the welcome part. Zacchaeus, a very well known and wealthy tax collector probably got rich by over charging people and/or withholding what was due to the Romans. His fellow Jews considered him a “sinner”. Yet, Jesus chose to go to his house and Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus gladly. That tells me Zacchaeus probably had a sense of happiness about himself, a sense of joy, a sense of excitement.
Questions, (and I am asking these of myself) would you obey immediately if asked by the Lord to do something? And, would you welcome Him gladly into your home knowing the condition of your heart at any given moment?
I believe Jesus knows us from the inside out and at any given moment he definitely knows the condition of our heart, our attitude, our behavior and yet He desires to be with us just as he desired to be with the “sinner” tax collector, Zacchaeus. Yes, He lives within our heart but do we welcome him daily into every aspect of our lives.
Bottom Line: May we be obedient to the Lord when he speaks and may we gladly on a daily basis welcome Him into every part of our life.
Love in Christ,
MG
So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. – Luke 19:6
I shared this scripture at the beginning of the church service several weeks ago. They are words describing Zacchaeus, the tax collector after Jesus commanded him to “… come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
Two things I want to briefly mention:
First, Zacchaeus obeyed and came down at once and welcomed Jesus into his home. We are not told that there was any hesitation whatsoever. The words “at once” indicate to me that he took Jesus’ “immediately” to mean just that – immediately. Not later, not when he felt like it, not when it was convenient, not when there was less attention on him – but immediately.
Second, is the welcome part. Zacchaeus, a very well known and wealthy tax collector probably got rich by over charging people and/or withholding what was due to the Romans. His fellow Jews considered him a “sinner”. Yet, Jesus chose to go to his house and Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus gladly. That tells me Zacchaeus probably had a sense of happiness about himself, a sense of joy, a sense of excitement.
Questions, (and I am asking these of myself) would you obey immediately if asked by the Lord to do something? And, would you welcome Him gladly into your home knowing the condition of your heart at any given moment?
I believe Jesus knows us from the inside out and at any given moment he definitely knows the condition of our heart, our attitude, our behavior and yet He desires to be with us just as he desired to be with the “sinner” tax collector, Zacchaeus. Yes, He lives within our heart but do we welcome him daily into every aspect of our lives.
Bottom Line: May we be obedient to the Lord when he speaks and may we gladly on a daily basis welcome Him into every part of our life.
Love in Christ,
MG
Sunday, October 9, 2011
There was a Sacrifice on Calvary
April 2011
Luke 23:33-34 – And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
Mark 15:25-26; 33-34; 38-39 -- It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. … At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” --- which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”… The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”…
John 19:31-34 -- Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
Luke 23:50-56 -- Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Matthew 28:1-6b -- After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, May Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.
Bottom Line: There was a sacrifice on Calvary. A sacrifice for you, a sacrifice for me, a sacrifice -- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Love in Christ,
MG
Luke 23:33-34 – And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
Mark 15:25-26; 33-34; 38-39 -- It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. … At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” --- which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”… The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”…
John 19:31-34 -- Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
Luke 23:50-56 -- Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Matthew 28:1-6b -- After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, May Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.
Bottom Line: There was a sacrifice on Calvary. A sacrifice for you, a sacrifice for me, a sacrifice -- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Love in Christ,
MG
Friday, October 7, 2011
Be Still
August 2011
“Be still, and know that I am God;” – Psalm 46:10a
About two and a half years ago I composed a monthly Bottom Line on this scripture. I would like to take it from a different perspective this time.
I awoke on Saturday morning May 28 of this year with this scripture in my mind and my heart and I spoke it out loud. I think that is good to do with scripture that comes into our hearts and minds. Speak it out loud. Let it resonate throughout our being as it is spoken.
Sometimes God just wants us to “be still”. To calm down. To become inactive for a period of time. In a sense to just turn everything “off”. Sounds, phones, I-Phones, Blackberrys, computers, TVs, radios, to turn “off” worrying thoughts, to lay schedules aside --- to just sit still for a few moments. Even if it is only five or ten minutes or maybe an hour or longer. I think He deserve that much of our time at some point in our day or week.
And to realize within that moment of time, however long it maybe, that Christ reigns supreme over all and He holds all creation together. It is thorough Christ that God made everything in heaven and earth. Things we see and things we don’t see. Even the kings, and kingdoms, and rulers and authorities are made by Him. And that goes for this present day right here and now this very moment the world over! You do realize that He is still in control of everything? Just take time to read Colossians 1:15-23.
Bottom Line: May we all come to a place in our day or week where we choose to be still. And, may we come to know that “I AM” is God over all things.
Love in Christ
MG
“Be still, and know that I am God;” – Psalm 46:10a
About two and a half years ago I composed a monthly Bottom Line on this scripture. I would like to take it from a different perspective this time.
I awoke on Saturday morning May 28 of this year with this scripture in my mind and my heart and I spoke it out loud. I think that is good to do with scripture that comes into our hearts and minds. Speak it out loud. Let it resonate throughout our being as it is spoken.
Sometimes God just wants us to “be still”. To calm down. To become inactive for a period of time. In a sense to just turn everything “off”. Sounds, phones, I-Phones, Blackberrys, computers, TVs, radios, to turn “off” worrying thoughts, to lay schedules aside --- to just sit still for a few moments. Even if it is only five or ten minutes or maybe an hour or longer. I think He deserve that much of our time at some point in our day or week.
And to realize within that moment of time, however long it maybe, that Christ reigns supreme over all and He holds all creation together. It is thorough Christ that God made everything in heaven and earth. Things we see and things we don’t see. Even the kings, and kingdoms, and rulers and authorities are made by Him. And that goes for this present day right here and now this very moment the world over! You do realize that He is still in control of everything? Just take time to read Colossians 1:15-23.
Bottom Line: May we all come to a place in our day or week where we choose to be still. And, may we come to know that “I AM” is God over all things.
Love in Christ
MG
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Be Glad
July 2011
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-- Psalm 118:24
It takes action on our part to be glad and we do have so much to be glad about. Allow me to mention a few things:
Be glad that you have health and life.
Be glad in knowing that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Be glad that you can praise His name.
Be glad that you live in a country where you can freely worship Him.
Be glad that you have covenant friends.
Be glad that you are able to serve the Lord.
Be glad in knowing that God loves and cares for you.
Be glad in knowing that your strength, your hope, your security, and your rest is in the Lord God Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Be glad for His mercy.
Be glad for His grace.
Be glad for His faithfulness.
Be glad for His patience.
Be glad for His justice.
Be glad for His forgiveness.
Be glad that this is the day the Lord has made.
Be glad! Be glad! Be glad!
Bottom Line: Take action – Be glad! And let it show!
Love in Christ,
MG
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-- Psalm 118:24
It takes action on our part to be glad and we do have so much to be glad about. Allow me to mention a few things:
Be glad that you have health and life.
Be glad in knowing that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Be glad that you can praise His name.
Be glad that you live in a country where you can freely worship Him.
Be glad that you have covenant friends.
Be glad that you are able to serve the Lord.
Be glad in knowing that God loves and cares for you.
Be glad in knowing that your strength, your hope, your security, and your rest is in the Lord God Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Be glad for His mercy.
Be glad for His grace.
Be glad for His faithfulness.
Be glad for His patience.
Be glad for His justice.
Be glad for His forgiveness.
Be glad that this is the day the Lord has made.
Be glad! Be glad! Be glad!
Bottom Line: Take action – Be glad! And let it show!
Love in Christ,
MG
Monday, October 3, 2011
The One Who Is In You Is Greater
June 2011
If you have forgiven anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven --- if there was anything to forgive --- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. – II Corinthians 2:10-11
“in order that Satan might not outwit [get the advantage of] us. For we are not unaware of his schemes [devices, plots, intentions].”
Satan desires to trick us and trip us up. He will lie to us. He will deceive us. He will make sure we get wrong information. He will scheme, plot and plan things against us. He will do anything, anything to try and outwit us. To get the advantage over us.
However, if we are “aware” of all that then we can be prepared to withstand and fight against his schemes. God gives us the strength, the courage and the armor to stand against Satan’s schemes.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11
This next verse from I John has been on my heart all week and I have been referencing it in my correspondence with different ones, even this week’s Sunday’s Coming!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – I John 4:4
Bottom Line: May you daily be aware of Satan’s schemes, but may you also daily “put on the full armor of God” knowing that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Love in Christ,
MG
If you have forgiven anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven --- if there was anything to forgive --- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. – II Corinthians 2:10-11
“in order that Satan might not outwit [get the advantage of] us. For we are not unaware of his schemes [devices, plots, intentions].”
Satan desires to trick us and trip us up. He will lie to us. He will deceive us. He will make sure we get wrong information. He will scheme, plot and plan things against us. He will do anything, anything to try and outwit us. To get the advantage over us.
However, if we are “aware” of all that then we can be prepared to withstand and fight against his schemes. God gives us the strength, the courage and the armor to stand against Satan’s schemes.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11
This next verse from I John has been on my heart all week and I have been referencing it in my correspondence with different ones, even this week’s Sunday’s Coming!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. – I John 4:4
Bottom Line: May you daily be aware of Satan’s schemes, but may you also daily “put on the full armor of God” knowing that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Love in Christ,
MG
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Whom Are You Living For?
May 2011
“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
-- I Corinthians 8:6
Two questions for us: First, whom are we living for? Second, through whom are we living? What I see as answers in this scripture from Paul is that we are living for “God, the Father.” And, we live through the “one Lord, Jesus Christ.”
In Acts17:28 we again see Paul stating something similar, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” That is -- our very existence comes from God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, in Christ we have a new life: II Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This month we are about to witness nine people who have chosen a new way of life. They are “a new creation”, they will make a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, they will be baptized on May 1, and they will then be living for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen! And Hallelujah!
Bottom Line: Whom are you living for and through whom are you living? May it be for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Love in Christ,
MG
“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
-- I Corinthians 8:6
Two questions for us: First, whom are we living for? Second, through whom are we living? What I see as answers in this scripture from Paul is that we are living for “God, the Father.” And, we live through the “one Lord, Jesus Christ.”
In Acts17:28 we again see Paul stating something similar, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” That is -- our very existence comes from God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, in Christ we have a new life: II Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This month we are about to witness nine people who have chosen a new way of life. They are “a new creation”, they will make a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, they will be baptized on May 1, and they will then be living for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen! And Hallelujah!
Bottom Line: Whom are you living for and through whom are you living? May it be for God, the Father through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Love in Christ,
MG
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