Spread This

Luke 2:13-14

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

As I was preparing the message for the 4th Sunday of Advent, it came to me that whatever the great company of the heavenly host says is probably very safe to repeat.

Think about it. "Glory to God in the highest"... how could anything more appropriate be said?  Then, "On earth peace to men on whom His favor rests".. That would be us.  The favor of His redeeming love is the wonderful gift of eternal life.  What could bring more peace?

So today as Christmas approaches, say "Glory to God in the highest!"  Amen?  Amen!  and... receive His gift of peace and spread it around generously, because He has favored us with a blessing beyond measure.

Merry Christmas!


Pastor Fred 

Encouraging Comparison

1 John 3:16

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

Between the verse and the title of this devotional, you may already know what encouraging comparison I am going to refer to today.  Yep... John 3:16.  One of the best known verses in the Bible.
Let's all say it together again. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Memorized from the King James version from when I was just a little boy. 

Read the two verses together. Kind of amazing huh?  Sounds to me like Jesus set an example for us of what love is.  It is unconditional, sacrificial and eternal.  Wow. Jesus also said this in John 15:13 "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  He speaks of Himself.  The greatest love is what He gave.

Sounds to me like we should know what love is.  So, my friends, my brothers and sisters... Love one another, just like Jesus loves us.  The Bible tells us so.  A loving thought for today.

With His love,


Pastor Fred 

Standing At The Crossroads

Jeremiah 6:16
"This is what the Lord says, 'Stand at the crossroads and look: ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls'.  But you said, 'we will not walk in it."

I just want to reflect with you today.  This is what I thought when I first read this….I really want to know what the Lord says.  I am at a crossroads, what should I look for?

Lord, help me desire your path.  I want to go the good way.  Direct my path today.  Help me walk so I can rest my soul.

Lord, you know how I am, I can say this and not follow through.  I can be weak and distracted.  Help me take my good intentions more seriously.  Show me Lord.  Give me strength to not resist you.

 Bolster me.  I know how I can be.  Give me more direction throughout the day.  I need you.  Help me Oh God.  I love you.  Lead me past the crossroads and into your way.  Thank you Lord.

Your servant,

Pastor Fred

Don't Be Caught By Surprise

Don't be caught by surprise
“A date which will live in infamy.”

Wednesday marks the 75th anniversary of the surprise attack on the naval installation at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese navy and the 353 Imperial Japanese aircraft, launched from six aircraft carriers.

At 7:48am, the attack began, with two waves of airborne destruction raining down on the American military installation. The eight U.S. battleships in port were all damaged; four were sunk. Cruisers, destroyers, an anti-aircraft ship and a minelayer - eight in all - were damaged or sunk. 188 American aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed, and 1,178 were wounded.

Caught unprepared, the defensive response on-site was minimal; only 29 attacking aircraft were downed, one midget submarine sunk, 64 service men killed, and one captured.

The reactions to the attack were multiple. In Hawaii, the immediate response was obvious and overwhelming: the dead and wounded required attention, and the destruction of the vital western naval presence called for emergency restoration. In Washington, America’s entry into the global conflict that would become World War II was sanctioned; first against Japan, and, then, against Germany and Italy. Within four days of the Pearl Harbor attack, America was at war on two fronts.

The view in the rear view mirror of history is always clear and obvious; the view through the windshield, into the future, is usually foggy and fractured. In the years since the invasion of Pearl Harbor, records of informed prognostications concerning an imminent attack on the Pearl Harbor resources by the growing Japanese naval power have come to light. Authorities as high as the president were forewarned but unresponsive. Prediction had not produced preparation; the most powerful country on the planet was caught unawares when the unimaginable occurred...

Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress the next day; 81% of Americans listened to his address - live - via radio. His opening line included the historic stamp on the attack: “A date which will live in infamy.” His speech took just seven minutes; a half hour later, Congress declared war on Japan, with only one vote in opposition. Two days later, Germany and Italy declared war on America; the next day, America accepted the challenge and reciprocated. For the next four years, life stopped around the world, and the attention of humanity was on the two-front conflict.

“The greatest and most momentous fact which the history of the world records is the fact of Christ’s birth.”

That was Charles Haddon Spurgeon, speaking 125 years ago. In the same address, he adds: “Christ is the great central fact of the world’s history. To him everything looks forward or backward.  All lines of history converge upon him. All the great purposes of God culminate in him.” If December 7th is “a date which would live in infamy,” Christmas - celebrated on December 25th - would be “the date which would live in eternity.”

It should have come of no surprise. Numerous warnings of the invasion had been recorded, hundreds of years before it happened: “The Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)  When word of the invasion reached King Herod, he declared war on infants in/around Bethlehem, in an effort to defeat his Enemy.

World War II was over by 1945, but the war against the god of this world has continued until today. Make no mistake: the escalation of the conflict involving the arrival of the King - masqueraded as an innocent child - was the decisive move that would ensure ultimate victory.

Christmas celebrates the ultimate resolution of a timeless war epic that captures and refocuses the attention of every human being ever born. “The greatest and most momentous fact which the history of the world records...”
 

Bob Shank
The Master's Program

What We Know

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Thessalonians 1:4"

I could so easily say this of the family of believers at Grace Harbor Church. As a matter of fact, I know it. The brothers and sisters of the Body of Christ that I know as my church family were chosen by God. All believers are, but I know it about this church family because of the evidence of their belief.

That belief in the gospel of Christ is shown in many ways. It is illustrated through their love of Jesus, shown by their love for each other and anyone who comes here. Their faithfulness to fellowship and study shows that they believe with deep conviction. Their commitment to serving and giving is further evidence of faith beyond just words. I can see the powerful belief of my church family by their willingness to respond to need and to rally around those who are lonely, disenfranchised, sick or struggling.

My church family is powerful in Christ Jesus and I see the evidence of His power in the believers here because of the three defining features of who we are as a people of God. We are a family church, open to everyone without reservation. No matter what your circumstance or situation you are welcome at Grace Harbor. As our motto says, 'Come in from the storms of life and see what God is doing.'

Another feature of Grace Harbor is that we are a lighthouse of hope. The Holy Spirit keeps that light lit in the hearts of those who come here. We believe together that God is at work in and through us to care and to reach out to our community. His church here is not just about those who come, but those who are our friends, neighbors and community.

A third feature of who we are is that we make disciples here. We are totally committed to maturing in Christ. Those who call this church their home know that we teach from His Word and encourage discipleship through mentoring, Bible Study and personal commitment.

These words written to the Thessalonian church could have easily been said of Grace Harbor Church. Church should be about deep convictions, the power of the Holy Spirit and action. I pray that this ministry will continue to be who it is and reach out to our community. I know that the church that Grace Harbor is chosen by God for a purpose. I close with our Mission/Vision Statement.

"Our vision is to be a harbor of grace and a lighthouse of hope, healing and restoration for the lost, and unchurched. We are committed to bringing people to Jesus and membership in His family, developing them in to Christlike maturity, and equipping them for their ministry in the church and their life mission in the world, all to glorify God."

Glad to be a member of the Grace Harbor Church family,
Pastor Fred

Praise Him

God created us to praise him. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people ... belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)  You can express your praises silently or declare them in a loud voice.  There is no right or wrong way.  You may even want to sing a song of worship.

Many people view the Christian life as a long list of “do's” and “don'ts.”  They haven’t yet discovered that spending time with God is a privilege that we get to do and not a chore or obligation that we have to do.

Be not discouraged because your life has not turned out so far the way you planned.  I am a firm believer that God has a set path for each one of are life’s for his glory.  All we need to humble ourselves and put HIM first in all of our daily endeavors.  HE will plot a course for us, make our paths straight and narrow if we are submissive to HIS perfect will.  

I know you have heard the saying “it is not all about us but what we can do to make a difference for others in this world”.  Our lives are just a short blip in time.  Let us be remembered as Christians that loved the Lord with all our Hearts, Minds, and Souls.  HE has already made the perfect sacrifice.  Our debt has been paid in full.

                                             

God Bless You Grace Harbor Family,

David L. Cunningham          

Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy".  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven.  He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Tough lesson from Jesus Himself.  Lately, the vitriol and polarization in America has reached an all-time high.  A lot of mean words have been spewed, along with misinformation, disinformation and outright lies.  We seem to be losing the capability not only for civil discourse, but also the capacity to forgive or love.

By the way, forgiveness is the responsibility of the offended.  Jesus forgave and loved unconditionally.  We can choose whether or not we accept His forgiveness and love, but as He said..."It is finished".  It is His perfect will that we love our enemies, and those who persecute us.  This means we must even love those who are spewing hate.  Even those who are lying.  Even those on the other pole.  That kind of love is powerful.

We must make every effort to see all our fellow humans like God sees them.  They are individually worth Jesus Christ to God.  So, no one is worthless, no one is unforgivable, no one deserves to be hated, despised or denigrated.  God desires mercy and not revenge.  He makes it clear that vengeance is His and His alone.  Let the forgiveness flow and watch the apologies follow.  Not the other way around.

Love one another, love your enemies.  Even if they are wrong, evil or unrighteous.  Christ forgave me and commands that I forgive others.  Lord, forgive me for how I have not forgiven others and love me even when I am not loving.  Use me as an instrument of your peace.  Join me?

With His Love and mine,

Pastor Fred