May 1, 2012 by Worship Director.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12

Darkness brought many dangers in the ancient world. Under the cloak of blackness evil lurked, seeking to steal, hurt and destroy. Not only did it make them susceptible to the treachery of man’s inhumanity to man, but to the likely injury of unknown paths, unseen obstacles or wild animal attack. For all, there was fear of the dark and wandering away from the light of the fire could mean death – a final unending darkness.

When Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the World, the people understood the salvation of His statement.  Freedoms from fear, haven of safety, illumination to the way, are all gifts of the Light.  A lamp that brings sight to the blind, a fire that brings warmth from within, He would be the difference between life and death – no more darkness. His light, burning in us, brings real life to all who may be touched by the glow.

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April 29, 2012 by Worship Director.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16

Many people do good works, give away lots of money, and show kindness, concern and compassion in extraordinary ways.  It feels great to do good.  Christians are called to do likewise, but not for ourselves nor even selflessly for others – but so that Christ in us shines through.

We give for the glory of God, by doing so we are blessed and others are made whole.  WHAT we give away is never as important as WHY we give and WHO we represent. WHEN you give, don’t forget to shine.

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April 27, 2012 by Worship Director.

Jesus told him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” - John 14:6

When we are lost, there is no relief like finding the way home.  When we are abused, confused, or living a lie, only the truth can bring us peace.  When we merely exist from day to day, the promise of real life brings joy unspeakable to endless cloudy days.

Jesus was, is, and will be the answer to the questions that haunt us, hunt us down, and keep us trapped in meaningless pursuits.  He provides the way out of despair and truth that you can depend on.  He gave His own life so that we could have life that was abundant in every way – full, free, motivated and miraculous.   The Way is before us. Accept His Truth and take the Life that is just one step away.

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April 25, 2012 by Worship Director.

Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as He says, the door is open.”   -Acts 10:34

A light in the window, an open door, an extended hand welcoming us in – nothing beats the feeling of inclusion.  It is often our own feelings of inferiority or memories of mistakes that keep us from accepting our place on the inside. If we can get past the illusion of our own prison, we’ll see that God is waiting for us in the open doorway.

If we will let Him lead, He will take us places we could never reach on our own. If we will take Him at His Word, He will open the floodgates of blessings reserved for all those who have joined His “inner circle.” It is big enough to include us all, so get excited – wherever you’ve come from what lies ahead will bring the privileges of membership.

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April 23, 2012 by Worship Director.

After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent You to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with You. - John 3:2

A miracle is simply an extraordinary occurrence; inexplicable to the human mind or experience.  “Miracles” are open to interpretation and therein forms the margin for disbelief. Many of the miracles we could claim in our lives are written off to coincidence or the intervention of strangers.  But really, when you think about it logically, what are the statistical odds of those explanations? A miracle is an unexpected positive outcome - a negative surprise is called a tragedy.

Yet for Christians, should we ever be surprised by God’s intervention in our lives for good?  All that is unexpected or inexplicable is that the Maker of the Universe would care enough to use His power to positively intervene for us.  All the evidence is before us - the greatest tragedy is that we simply can’t see or don’t believe.

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April 20, 2012 by Worship Director.

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus …asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body…With him, came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus by night… -John 19:38–39

Joseph and Nicodemus believed, but no one knew.  They hid their secret, visited Jesus under the cover of darkness, and were limited in what they could do for Him or what He could do for them.  Only with His death, did they expose their secret and with His resurrection, they became two of the most memorable men of the New Testament Bible.  A secret life is not useful to God.  Let the “cat out of the bag” and let God use you to do the unimaginable in His name.

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April 17, 2012 by Worship Director.

Do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God. -Leviticus 19:10

What the Lord provides to us, we are not to hoard.  It is not meant for us, and us alone.  We are often simply a conduit for God’s gifts to reach others.  Whether it be our harvest, our happiness, our time or treasure, we are commanded to make some of it available to the poor – not just the poor of pocket, but the poor of spirit and those in need of that which only He can provide.

If you have been blessed, don’t keep it to yourself – this is your opportunity to spread it around.

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April 15, 2012 by Worship Director.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. -John 15:5-6

The vineyard was a well-known and understood part of life in Jesus’ day.  The grape vine was the perfect analogy for the concepts He needed to clearly convey to His followers.  The vineyard produced ample fruit for sweet, healthy food and hydration, medicine, as well as, much needed shade in the blistering desert.  The fruit, however, is completely dependent on a deep root and strong vine. If the branches are separated from the vine, they die.  If we are separated from God, we too wither.

Branches reach out and multiply exponentially from a single, solid, ancient vine. We are the extension of our God into the world, the connection between the ancient truth and the hope of eternity.  For branches to produce the sweetest fruit, they must be pruned – cut, tied, and shaped by daily care. We too must endure some hurts or pain, intense discipline, and molding to the Master’s Will instead of our own.

Jesus is the life force that feeds and flows through us as we branch out into our families, workplaces and communities with the sweetness of His love.

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April 13, 2012 by Worship Director.

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? -Matthew 6:26-27

The answer to that scriptural question is “no.”  Worry, in fact, has been shown to dramatically shorten the worrier’s life span, cripple the mind, and damage the body.  We were not created to worry and we have access to the perfect prescription for anxiety control by the Great Physician.  Just a mustard-seed size spoonful of faith with a dose of daily prayer, is the cure to the stress that ails you.  Get healthy, get hopeful, get off of the worry wheel so you can take fearless flight.

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April 11, 2012 by Worship Director.

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. -Matthew 24:36

Prophets, prognosticators, astrologers, con men and crack pots continue to predict the day the world as we know it comes to an end.  For hundreds of years, those dooms day due dates have come and gone – so far the world keeps turning. Our fear of the future, anxiety of the unknown, keep so many searching for answers that will never come, for hopes of perfect preparation, for the peace certainty brings.

For Christians, we already have the promise of peace, the means of perfect preparation, a place here and in the here-after where there is no pain or sorrow or fear.  So relax, the future is safely in the Father’s hands, we can spend our energy on being the best we can be today and equipped for His service tomorrow.

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