December Month 2011

Is there enough in His name for you?

 “his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (ISAIAH 9:6B - KJV) 

There are many believers who act like or rather live like their lives are unfulfilled. Constantly complaining about their circumstances and being critical about every aspect of their life. The relationships, their resources and there are even those who seem to be dissatisfied with their religion. They church doesn’t do this, the Pastor is that, the members aren’t who they thought they were are they are who they thought they were not. The question I am proposing is, are we looking in the right place for what we are missing. If we are looking to Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above anything we ask or think, how is it possible that we are dissatisfied in life? Have you really considered Jesus? “Is there enough in His name for you?”

When Isaiah began to describe the coming Messiah he called Him “Wonderful”. How can you be miserable when the center of your joy is called Wonderful? How can we be depressed and mentally confused when you have entrusted and renewed your mind in the word and ways of the “Counsellor”? Even when we have fallen and feel physically and spiritually weak, if our steps and our source is the “Mighty God”, our weaken state must be temporary. Perhaps your family is dysfunctional as most are, just knowing that you have an “Everlasting Father”, that you will never be fatherless, never be without parental guidance, should give you hope. Paul despite how good we try to be trouble is always present. That is a reason to rejoice over the fact that you have the Prince of Peace in your corner to always bring peace to your troubled mind or heart.

Perhaps it is time for ever believer to evaluate what they have access to as a child of the King. You have more than enough of what you need for this journey if you consider the right source. “Is there enough in His name for you?”

Pastor Stuart P Courtney

ARE YOU TRULY ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

 “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.  (MATTHEW 12:30 - KJV) 

There is a growing number of believers who are selective in their moments which reveal whose side they are on. They careful to be confident of their relationship with Jesus on Sunday, however they are quite cautious in their acknowledgement of who He is on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. There worship and their praise or visible and viable on  Sunday’s, however they are nonexistent  on our thirsty Thursdays nor our sexy, sensual and sinful Saturdays. Being on the Lord side suggested that there is consistent evidence that what you do and how you do it, represents your love for the Kingdom.

When the Pharisee’s questioned who Jesus power was from, he made it clear that the things he was doing came from the Father. He also communicated a principle that is still true today. A Kingdom divided against itself shall not stand. Perhaps this is the reason that many believers are not united for the sake of the Gospel. Is the entire church committed to doing the will of God. Is the entire church committed to being on the Lord’s side. If you are on the Lord side then there are some things you ought not do. If you are on the Lord side there are some places you should not go. If you are not in Jesus, or for Jesus then you are out of Jesus and you are against Jesus.  

Evaluate yourself as you consider whose side you are on. It does not mean what church you belong to. It does not inquire or solicit your denominational affiliation. This is an understanding about who is your Lord, who is your Savior, and who is your Master. If Jesus is all that an more, than your life will never be the same.  The question is still for you to ask and answer. “Are you truly on the Lord’s side?”

Pastor SP Courtney

ARE YOU BEING GOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKE

 “And, behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon: and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was upon him.  (LUKE 2:25 - KJV) 

While I understand that we who are His creation are born in sin and that we are not good by nature but I do contest that we are good by Divine nature. That if we are who we say we are as children of the Most High, then being good is not only what we should do but it should represent who we really are. During my youth I remember the holiday song that suggested we should be good for goodness sake. Perhaps its not about St.Nick but rather about He who is good all the time. Maybe this is not a question for the month of December but a question for every day of our life.

Dr. Luke in chapter 2 of the Gospel written according to Luke, suggest that there was one devout and just believer whose name was Simeon waiting in the temple as Mary and Joseph arrived with the baby Jesus. As many of you are awaiting Christmas morning, or even those who are awaiting patiently his return should observe Simeon’s character described in the text. What do others say about you as you go about your daily walk with Christ. What do your friends and family say about your faith and how what you say lines up with what you do. .   

Simeon is called just and devout, which suggest that he was not only righteous but he was committed to that righteousness. Being a Christian should mean that we are being good and demonstrating His goodness, “ARE YOU BEING GOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKE?”

Pastor SP Courtney

WHAT TRULY GIVES YOU JOY?

 “When they saw the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy! And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11  - KJV) 

With all the anticipation and hype of Christmas morning it is somewhat disappointing to watch children dive into their gifts and within the hour the excitement and happiness is gone. In some cases they have even placed the item somewhere and moved on to something else without even caring where it is. Even adults have certain things that make them happy but their happiness is temporal. Some of the worst family fights happen on Christmas morning. Either because someone did not get what they wanted or someone else fail to give to someone that gave something to them with anticipation that it would be reciprocated. Perhaps we need to avoid looking for fulfillment under the tree on Christmas morning. Perhaps what we really need to do is find our Joy. “What truly gives you Joy?”

When I read the story of the Wise Men in Matthew’s Gospel and how they followed a Star from the East, I get excited about the fact that after losing their star they were excited when it reappeared. Their joy went with them and when they saw the baby Jesus their joy resulted in worship. Not only worship but they gave him of their treasure and their time. If you truly have joy your response will not be temporary and it will not be unrecognizable. Joy that comes from God, causes a response in the person who receives it. We should have joy about our children and those we love, we should have joy about he who excited the Shepherds. Take a brief moment and assess what is it that truly gives you joy?

Pastor SP Courtney