“We Are Children Of God”

Roman's 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God..."

Being a child of God has always brought me tremendous comfort. Early in my walk with Christ, I knew that He lived in me and I in Him. I knew I was His child. His Spirit in me assured me of that truth. I had a literal spiritual birth when He became my Lord, my Father and my Savior. We don't talk enough about ourselves in terms of our spiritual being. I love the words "The Spirit Himself". So personal. So real. Such a witness to the truth of my salvation. When we are "born again" or come to the knowledge of the saving grace of Christ, it is a real experience. I think that is why I begin the majority of my prayers by saying "Father God,". I am His child. I hope you think deeply about your relationship with Him today. May "The Spirit Himself" reveal to you, who you are in Him.

In Him,
Pastor Fred 

Last Devotional Of 2018

As I thought about what to close 2018 with as the scripture reference for the December 31st devotional, it was clear to me to share Jude's final words of his general epistle. This passage is often spoken as a benediction or exhortation during worship. Read it as if Jude is sharing with you his deepest convictions about His Savior, Jesus. These verses exalt Christ, because only He can save us. As we commit to do good in 2019, let us do so to honor God.

Jude 24-25 "Now to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."

Compelling words. Let us live for Him.
Pastor Fred

Daily Devotional

by Donald Lowe

John 1:29 - 42 

A CHAIN OF WITNESSES
John witnessed in public and before his own disciples, creating a chain of witnesses for Christ. He is not afraid to decline personally in notoriety (Jn 3. 30) if he is to proclaim Christ ...

(29-34). John publicly recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God, therefore he who is destined to erase the sin of the whole world; the one on whom the Spirit descended and stopped, the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And he declares that Jesus is the Son of God. Who is Jesus for you, and what do you say of him in public?

After recognizing and testifying to Jesus publicly, John the Baptist bears witness to him especially to two of his disciples who follow and live with Jesus Christ (38-39). Andrew, one of the two, testifies not only to his brother Simon but above all to Christ (40-42; 2 Tim. 2). How can you do like Andrew today and give Jesus to someone like the best end-of-the-year gift?

What are you doing to those members of your family who do not have Christ and what is the content of your message?

Reminder: Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

In Him,
Donald Lowe

Daily Devotional
 by Bayless Conley

Enjoy today's devotional: The Signpost of a Provoked Heart
 

Without a doubt, God has plans for you. Your life is no accident. You have a purpose. In today’s devotional, we will discover an important key to help you understand your calling.

Let’s look first at Acts 17:16–17,

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

The word provoked literally means that his spirit was deeply troubled, his spirit was grieved within him.

That gives us the first step in understanding your purpose. What grieves your heart? Paul was grieved about this city wholly given over to idols. And the next verse begins with the word therefore. He did something about it.

Generally, the things that grieve you in your heart are things that God has gifted you to change. They point you to your purpose.

For instance, in Job 30:25, Job said, “Has not my soul grieved for the poor?” If you read Job’s story, a big part of his ministry had to do with helping the poor. It was tied to what caused his heart to grieve.

Then there was David who was grieved and provoked as Goliath was taunting the Israelites. Why? David was called to be a leader and a warrior in Israel. It was a signpost pointing to his calling.

What is it that provokes you in your heart? Whatever it is, do something about it.

Daily Devotional
by Shastity Ortiz 
 
Psalm 61:2 KJV
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 

As the Christmas is fast approaching I wanted to talk about something a little different and something that many are dealing with in them self or possibly a family member, depression. Depression affects people differently and people handle it differently.  I know that everyone is very busy during this time but I would encourage you to pick up and call a friend that you haven’t talked to in a while, a family member, or even someone you haven’t seen at church. Take that 5 or 10 minutes to make sure they are doing okay or to let them know you still love them. It might be that call that gives them hope again.   

Please see below what Dr. Harold J. Sala has to say:

Holidays and winter are a major contributor to depression, especially when they are accompanied by loneliness and separation from your family or close friends. At times medication can help those who struggle with this and thank God for that help, but often we medicate a problem or situation which can be changed, and with the change, the depression factor begins to dissipate.

If you are facing post-holiday blues bordering on depression, don’t punish yourself or think, “If I were more spiritual, I could snap out of this.” But I do suggest that you force yourself to talk to someone, letting the person know exactly how you feel. You also need to remind yourself of what you’ve probably pushed aside—your situation is not a matter of indifference to God. He knows where you are and will bring you out. You not only need to talk to someone else but also with God. In his times of despair and depression, David turned to God, who gave him deliverance. And finally, get help. To do that you’ve got to overcome the feeling that you are sliding into a pit of despair and either feel incapable of reaching out to someone or you don’t want to.

But whatever you do, don’t give up. With David, you can cry out, “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” Psalm 61:2 

In Him,
Shastity Ortiz 

"Welcome to our World" 

Matthew 1:19 "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows."

So what really happened? The scripture tells us quite a bit about Jesus birth. But, obviously not every detail. John 21:25 says, "Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." Get it?  Got it! We should only claim that what was written in the Bible are the only things we know for sure happened. But the Bible itself says a lot more happened. The Christmas story has been embellished, sometimes overly so and beyond dramatic license. But, conjecture is appropriate as long as it completely jives with His Word. Many inspiring words have been written about His birth. In song and poetry too. Today I share with you inspiring words that Kim Shane shared with us in a Christmas card. Words from an Amy Grant song entitled, "Welcome to our World".

"Fragile fingers sent to heal us.           
Tender Brow prepared for thorns.           
Tiny heart whose blood will save us.   
Unto us is born! 
Welcome to our world...."

The birth of Jesus and His purpose beautifully portrayed. Hope this touches your heart like mine today, Pastor Fred

"Just His Word" 

Titus 3:4-7 "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. So that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Sometimes His Word is so sufficient just like His grace, that nothing else should be added.

By His Word,
Pastor Fred