HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!

Friends, at the stroke of mid-night tonight, December 31, 2017, the world will usher in a New Year, 2018!

It is traditional that folks think of making significant life changes in a New Year. This change in our calendars, however, does not affect the absolutes which govern the daily lives of  GOD's children... which are, the GOD we serve, our Heavenly Father, never changes and neither does His WORD.

“JESUS CHRIST is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Whatever happens in 2018, GOD’s people have this firm and fixed foundation on which we continue to build. So we keep on living as those who are the chosen and beloved of GOD (1 Thessalonians 1:4.) 

We simply do GOD’s will…

“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.” 2 Peter 3:18

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

…and remain ever mindful that:

 “All of GOD’s promises have been fulfilled in CHRIST with a resounding "Yes!" And through CHRIST, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to GOD for His glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

“If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Let us praise GOD for being AWESOME today with the confidence that He will be AWESOME again tomorrow!!

May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you His favor and give you His peace. Numbers 6:24-26

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Almighty GOD and Father, we thank you for YOUR goodness and mercy that followed us throughout the year 2017. We thank you for forgiving us of our sins, healing all our diseases, filling our lives with good things, renewing our strength and crowning us with YOUR loving kindness and we are confident that YOU will do it all again and more in the New Year. Thank YOU for JESUS, the living WORD and the Holy Spirit. We thank YOU, Father, for choosing us, not for our goodness sake, but YOURS. We are so grateful for all that YOU do. We pray and ask all in JESUS’ NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Healing is on the Other Side: We Get There by Faith! – Part 2

In the Gospel of Luke story we have been following, JESUS’ disciples have taken a boat ride at His invitation, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”  Luke 8:22

As they sail across the lake, a sudden fierce storm hits the lake and the boat fills with water. The disciples become terrified and shake awake a sleeping JESUS to tell Him that they are in danger of drowning. JESUS commands the storm to cease and immediately there’s calm, but He is disappointed in His disciples’ unbelief, “Where is your faith?”

These men were with JESUS when He healed one man and brought a dead man back to life, just by a word of command (Luke 7:1-15.) Still they show fear in His presence and amazement at His power. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Luke 8:25

However, we should not judge harshly the reaction of JESUS’ followers since we too often doubt and question JESUS when we are faced with difficulties. We forget what He has done for us in the past and resort to disbelief – and we have the benefit of the full knowledge of His finished work on the cross, which the disciples didn’t have at this time.

The story does not record JESUS giving any details except that they were going to other side of the lake. But the disciples should have known enough about their Master by this time to know that this was not just a joy-ride. JESUS would have some business to take care of on the other side of the lake; something for which it was worthwhile to go through a storm to accomplish.

We are about to learn, along with the disciples, that more than the raging storms obey JESUS!

The crew comes ashore at the region of the Gadarenes:  As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. Luke 8:26-33

This account is absolute proof of the LORD JESUS’ power over the demonic world.

Too often we blame problems, misfortunes, and our carnal appetites on demons and spirits. While these do exist as we just read, they ought not to have possession of the lives and minds of GOD’s people.

Once we accept JESUS as LORD and Savior we are new creations in whom GOD’s Spirit lives. We must now actively partner with the Holy Spirit in renewing our minds and actions to live as children of light. We cannot remain in the darkness from which we have been rescued, once we are truly saved.

…throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:22-24

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! Ephesians 5:8.

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5

 Matthew Henry’s Commentary of Luke 8:22-40 states in part, “Those under Christ's government are sweetly led with the bands of love; those under the devil's government are furiously driven. Oh what a comfort it is to the believer that all the powers of darkness are under the control of the Lord Jesus! It is a miracle of mercy, if those whom Satan possesses, are not brought to destruction and eternal ruin!”

Believers, having received GOD’s miracle of mercy, are in a continuing process of spiritual healing by obeying GOD’s WORD daily and throwing off our old sinful nature and our former way of life, letting the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes and choosing to live as people of light.

Such a miracle of mercy brings about a radical change in us and causes the people in our sphere of influence to sit up and take notice, just as it happened with the demon-possessed man in our story:

When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane,…Luke 8:34-35

After years of torment by a legion of evil spirits and demons, this individual is finally free and sane. Now he has but one desire, to be with his rescuer and protector, JESUS, wherever He went.

But JESUS has something more in mind for this new disciple.

The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:38-39

JESUS would not take him along with Him, but sent him home, to testify to his family and friends and anyone who would listen, what great things GOD has done for him. This man, who for most of his life was feared, is now going to be a blessing to those same folks for whom he was a burden.

JESUS heals our dark, sin-sick souls and clothes us in His light and righteousness for the same reason – to serve in His Kingdom as light to the darkened world.

We do not get transported to heaven to be with JESUS immediately we get saved.

We are left here to tell people that JESUS crossed over to our side and rescued us from the demonic darkness of our past; and that they too could, by faith in Him, become “….a chosen people….royal priests, a holy nation, GOD's very own possession…, whom He has called out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

The fact that some storm clouds have settled temporarily over our heads and the waters around out boats are a little choppy, do not give us permission to become anxious and abandon ship. JESUS has not abdicated His place. He is right alongside us and when the time is right He will calm the turbulence about us but we will not be destroyed.

JESUS has given an open invitation to anyone who desires to cross to the other side of the lake with Him.

We must take the journey with Him, by faith, to receive His promised healing; His miracle of mercy

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, we thank you for the LIVING WORD that shows us the way, the truth, and the life. Thank YOU for reminding us that we have a great treasure residing within our earthly vessels, YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, to sanctify us and renew our minds daily. Thank YOU, Father, for helping us to have unshakable faith in CHRIST JESUS our LORD and Savior before whom the gates of hell could not prevail and demons tremble in terror. Thank YOU for choosing us for YOUR Kingdom here on earth and in heaven. By faith we believe and receive JESUS CHRIST, in whose NAME we pray. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Healing is on the Other Side: We Get There by Faith! – Part 1

In less than one week we enter the New Year.

Some of us made great strides in 2017, are excited about where we are now and anticipate the same or better in 2018. Others have struggled all year and are a lot less certain.

Those of us who never found a firm footing this year are torn between wanting the year to be over with and also anxiety and uncertainty about what the future will hold for them. Will 2018 be better, the same, or worse?

The children of GOD who have these doubts and apprehensions have but one option to the path of peaceful resolution – we hold tight to our faith. Know that the WORD and promises of GOD are still true. JESUS, whose birth we are still celebrating, is yet still our Emmanuel – GOD who came to be with us and save us, if we BELIEVE!

Always, our redemption and hope is in GOD’s WORD and never in what we feel!

The following illustration from the Gospel of Luke ought to encourage us and lift our spirits.

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Luke 8:22-25

In this story JESUS gives an order to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”  And He gets in the boat with them.

If we are followers of CHRIST, what we do with our lives, we do for CHRIST….whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LORD JESUS. Colossians 3:17. Rest assured that JESUS is with us every step of the way as He was in the boat with His disciples.

JESUS was so confident in the journey's end that He settled down for a nap. But then came the storm, and the disciples did what we do when things are not going well – they panicked!

In the midst of a life struggle we can feel like we are in a storm – tossed aimlessly about, our boats are filling up with water, we have lost all control of our situation and we are certain that we are about to go under. Fear takes over and our faith is challenged.

We ask ourselves and others, where is GOD? Why has these troubles overtaken me? We feel singled out and abandoned. We lose focus and make judgments about our situation that could never be true for the children of GOD, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

We forget the promises of GOD, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6

We forget that we are the beloved of GOD: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32  

When our situation is the most dismal it could be and if we do not immediately get relief, it seems to us that JESUS is asleep and uncaring.

The way we silence our fears then is to bring them to CHRIST and lay them before Him. With sincere faith and fervency, and not in an accusatory panic, we call upon JESUS as our Master. Be sure that JESUS will honor our trust and we will not perish, no matter how long we wait.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The disciples’ fear was unwarranted and CHRIST rebukes them for it: “Where is your faith?” They in turn are terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” Before the day is over JESUS demonstrates even more of His amazing power and we find out the real reason the boat had to reach the other side – and it had nothing to do with the disciples’ being saved from drowning.

As we come through the other side of our storm one day, we too will ask, “Who is this man?” 

JESUS will calm the storms of our lives because His proclamation over us could never be frustrated. We need have no fear or trepidation, no matter how stormy the seas of our lives become, how dark the skies and how loud the winds may howl. We will reach the “other side” if JESUS says that’s where we are going.

JESUS had a special purpose for getting to the other side of the lake and it was not for the personal benefit of the disciples. Likewise, our life journey is not necessarily for our personal happiness, it is about expanding the Kingdom of GOD. We all have a tiny but significant part as followers of CHRIST and our one duty in life is to obey GOD, for which we will one day receive a just rewarded – eternity with Him.

For now, if we simply believe JESUS, we will have peace about the future and healing from our past.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, forgive us when we show little faith. Thank you for showing us that our fears are unwarranted because YOU are always with us, will never fail us, and have known the path we will take before we were even born. Help us, Father, to believe YOUR WORD, and to remember that we live for YOUR glory and when we are steadfast and endure we show the world YOUR power, YOUR goodness and YOUR love. Father, YOU treasure YOUR WORD above all else and it would never fail. It is YOUR WORD that became flesh and now live among YOUR people. Thank YOU for JESUS CHRIST and His promise to be with us even until the end of the age. In HIS NAME we pray. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Merry Christmas; Thank GOD for His Inexpressible Gift!

As we gather with family and friends, exchange presents and share food this Christmas Day, let us not forget the real reason we celebrate – GOD’s inexpressible gift to us, that gift too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

JESUS was born to die; to atone for sin and become our salvation.

“The gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.” Romans 6:23

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1: 21

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:24

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, we have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people - YOUR gift of love. We accept YOUR grace, we believe YOUR WORD, and with gratitude we rejoice with the heavenly hosts, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

In JESUS’ NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Tidings of Comfort and Joy!

I have addressed this in the last few weeks but the theme keeps recurring from various sources around me. From relatives, acquaintances, the news media, and in a recent sermon, the same refrain – people are having a hard time getting through this time of the year!

The Pastor describes it as a “thin” time by which people feel near breaking point, more vulnerable to dark thoughts and feelings; where insecurities are magnified and things that were lurking in the shadows become huge and trigger negative behaviors.

Hopelessness and gloom seem to be more prominent than any other year this Christmas Season!

One morning recently, I was myself feeling something less than joyful when GOD brought to my attention a Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening devotional based on Habakkuk 3:6. Spurgeon's insight on this short phrase gave me so much comfort and encouragement that I want to share it in its entirety. The writing is King James style Old English but the message is very clear – human behavior alters in response to feelings but GOD’s character is fixed so He cannot change. We must trust GOD but put no faith in ourselves.

"His ways are everlasting." Habakkuk 3:6

What he hath done at one time, he will do yet again. Man's ways are variable, but God's ways are everlasting. There are many reasons for this most comforting truth: among them are the following--the Lord's ways are the result of wise deliberation; he ordereth all things according to the counsel of his own will. Human action is frequently the hasty result of passion, or fear, and is followed by regret and alteration; but nothing can take the Almighty by surprise, or happen otherwise than he has foreseen. His ways are the outgrowth of an immutable character, and in them the fixed and settled attributes of God are clearly to be seen. Unless the Eternal One himself can undergo change, his ways, which are himself in action, must remain forever the same. Is he eternally just, gracious, faithful, wise, tender?--then his ways must ever be distinguished for the same excellences. Beings act according to their nature: when those natures change, their conduct varies also; but since God cannot know the shadow of a turning, his ways will abide everlastingly the same. Moreover there is no reason from without which could reverse the divine ways, since they are the embodiment of irresistible might. The earth is said, by the prophet, to be cleft with rivers, mountains tremble, the deep lifts up its hands, and sun and moon stand still, when Jehovah marches forth for the salvation of his people. Who can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? But it is not might alone which gives stability; God's ways are the manifestation of the eternal principles of right, and therefore can never pass away. Wrong breeds decay and involves ruin, but the true and the good have about them a vitality which ages cannot diminish. This morning let us go to our heavenly Father with confidence, remembering that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him the Lord is ever gracious to his people.

The abundance of negativity floating around at this time of year can be pervasive, affecting even the most upbeat personality.

That Christians are also affected by this malaise is nothing but an assault by our enemy. Satan would like us to forget that HOPE has come to earth in the person of JESUS CHRIST! That this is not a season of hopelessness but the reverse!

The devil wants us so engulfed in misery and darkness as to forget that the TRUE LIGHT that gives light to everyone has entered the world (John 1:9) to overcome the darkness and bring us peace. (John 16:33).

This is our season of Advent when Christians ought to be joyfully expectant as we prepare for and celebrate the Nativity of JESUS CHRIST and HIS second coming, but the devil will try to redirect our focus and steal the joy that these appearances guarantee. (John 10:10.)

We must not give in! We must do as GOD’s WORD says and resist Satan’s lies (James 4:7.) Believe the everlasting promises of the immutable GOD whose ways, which are Himself in action, must remain forever the same – He is eternally just, gracious, faithful, wise, and tender.

Though hardships and trials may be our current reality we fight dark moods and thoughts and daily remind ourselves of who we are and what GOD has done for us through His SON.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. Isaiah 9:6-7

Ours are tidings of comfort and Joy!

We are in safest and surest hands! 

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned Matthew 4:16. Holy and everlasting GOD and Father, we thank you for sending YOUR SON, the TRUE LIGHT of the WORLD to lift us out of depression and darkness. Thank YOU that because we are YOURS we have the light of life to withstand every weapon formed against us and we have no fellowship with darkness. Thank YOU for these good tidings of great comfort and joy – that YOU are with us, our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. Thank YOU for the assurance that we are safe because YOU are the unchanging GOD and ever gracious to YOUR people. In this we rejoice and we pray all things in JESUS’ NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Real Reason for the Season

Christians and non-Christians alike are aware that Christmas is about JESUS CHRIST. But why do we really need Christmas?

Christmas exists because we sin.

The story of Christmas actually begins in the Old Testament, Genesis 3, with the fall of the human race.

Eve is deceived by Satan in the guise of a serpent; she and Adam disobey GOD, eat from the only tree in the garden forbidden to them and are banned from Eden, GOD’s paradise. Sin and death enter the world and the serpent, Eve, and Adam are cursed.

However, GOD shows mercy and promises restoration – a way to reinstate us into His paradise through a special child who would one day be born to defeat the serpent: “I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

GOD fulfilled His Genesis 3 promise in the New Testament when GOD the SON is born of a virgin by the power of His Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Matthew’s telling of JESUS’ birth confirms the reason for JESUS’ birth through an angelic messenger whom GOD sent to Joseph, the soon-to-be husband of the Virgin Mary:

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 2:20-21

So what about JESUS should we celebrate?

Nativity scenes are everywhere during the Christmas Season – on post cards, in Malls, on clothing, dishes, postage stamps, gift wrap, etc., with the central figure being a tiny, swaddled baby JESUS lying in a “manger.”

This helpless infant JESUS is not all that Christians celebrate.

GOD sent His SON to earth on a mission; JESUS proclaims this at the very start of His earthly ministry:  "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,..” Luke 4:18

The JESUS of Christmas is a Divine force…

• GOD in human flesh: In the beginning the Word [JESUS] already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God….So the Word became human and made his home among us. John 1:1, 14. JESUS Himself indicated a shared nature with the Father, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30; (CHRIST) said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;” Hebrews 10:5
• Heavenly authority with power to forgive our sin and release us from bondage: Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? … I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Mark 2: 5-10
• Creator of new life for us: Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die…” John 11:25.26; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

The birth of JESUS simply set in motion GOD’s Genesis 3 plan that eventually led to His dying for us.

While time off from work, giving and receiving gifts, eggnog and Christmas lights are all well and good, the Christian celebration is about much more.

We are sinners and the reason CHRIST came. We must put a greater focus at Christmas on the fact that His birth initiated our ransom from the captivity of sin by the sacrifice of His body on a cross (Hebrews 10:10).

We celebrate also with an eye on JESUS’ second coming when Satan’s defeat is complete and we are restored to our original place in Paradise with our Father.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...” Luke 1:14-17

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  The true LIGHT that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but his own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:912 Holy Father, our prayer is that this year we would recognize the true gift we were given to celebrate at Christmas. That we worship and adore JESUS for who He truly is - GOD the SON come to earth with all authority and power to save His own. Thank you JESUS that every day of our lives YOU remain Emmanuel, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. In this we rejoice! Asking all things in the NAME above all names. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile