April Month 2009
Friday, April 24th, 2009
Fortunately, Jesus also tells us exactly how to do His Father's will: "For My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). The will of our Heavenly Father is to truly know and be known by His Son.
All the wonderful things we do in the name of Jesus count absolutely nothing toward granting us the gift of eternal life. True believers in a risen and glorified Lord will certainly desire to turn from a life of sin and obediently serve; "anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:38). But entrance through the gate of eternal life is based ONLY on sincere belief, not on the results of belief.
He is drawing us near because belief in Jesus is both necessary and sufficient for our Salvation. He is drawing us near and inviting us to submit to the Father's will.
Pastor SP Courtney
Friday, April 17th, 2009
YOU NEED THE WORD OF GOD
I have often heard many people talk about not going places they were not invited. They have the understanding that an invitation suggests you are wanted and loved by the one inviting you. I cannot quite understand how individuals read or hear John 3:16, but continue to reject the gift that is given through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. I often wonder why we work so hard for deaths reward but we want simply receive the gift of eternal life?
Paul in the letter to the believers in Rome, advises them that there are consequences to doing things that will result in eternal damnation. The wages, (reward) of sin (anything you do that is in opposition to God’s will) is death. He is literally saying that in life you will either earn your way into hell, or accept God’s invitation to Heaven. Why would you work your way into eternal torture and damnation, when the gift that God offers is eternal life in paradise with him?
Christ died, so that we might live forever. Receive the gift that gives you access to eternal life in Christ Jesus. Why work your way into Hell, when you can receive and believe your way into Heaven?
Pastor S.P. Courtney
"And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. [36] And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. [37] And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; [38] Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest"- Luke 9:35-38 (KJV)
On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as "Passion Sunday," marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with waving palm branches, and by covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross.
I encourage each of you to take the time each day this week to read the story of Christ, as he journeyed to the Cross. Morning meditation, prayer and fasting will usher you into His presence and prepare you for a great experience as we celebrate the Resurrected Savior. Here are suggested scriptures:
Monday: John 12, Tuesday: Luke 20, wednesday: Mark 13, Thursday: Luke 22:1-62, Friday: John 18:1-38 , Luke23:27-46, Saturday: John 19:38-42, Sunday: Mark 16
Pastor Courtney
Too many people today are relying on the things or even the people around them to sustain them in these difficult times. However, I believe that in the book of Deuternomy reflects how God brought Israel in, through and out of their wilderness experience. How as a result of their circumstances they were humbled and this humility made them teachable. Many Christians won’t hear God until we are in a difficult predicament. Therefore in these times, we don’t need more money, we don’t need a better job, rather what we need is the Word of God.
God promised us in His word that he will never leave us nor forsake us, that he will be with us until the end of the Earth. God is not a man that he should lie, so we can lean and depend on what is promised in His word. Whatever you are going through in your life, stop complaining, stop worrying and start studying God’s word that he might be the source of your deliverance and the light that guide your path. What we really need today is more of humanity believing and studying God’s word.
Pastor S. P. Courtney
