Pastor's Blog

Light of The World

John 8:12 says, “ I am the light of the World. Follow me and you won’t be walking in the dark. You  will have the light that gives life.”

Finding your way in the dark can really be a challenge. If you’ve never been down a specific path before, walking in the dark can be terrifying. There’s no way to know what’s in front of you, or what may be lurking in the shadows. However, with the help of a good flashlight , or even better, daylight, the same path can become a carefree walk in the sunshine.

Throughout scripture, light is used as a powerful metaphor. God used fire to lead the Israelites by night and David calls God’s Word a light unto his path. Jesus is frequently referenced as the light of the world who gives life. Shining in the darkness, light is a welcome gift of hope and assurance. That bright and shining light came into this world in a tiny dark manger, but the bright shining star above lead the way for Sheppard’s and Wisemen to find their way to the one who would brighten the hope of all those who would seek Him. Your life is illuminated by the Light of the World. Live your life as a reflection of His light. You are His light in this world so that others may see Him and know that there is hope even in the times that seem hopeless. I pray that you will let his light shine brighter through you than it has ever before so others can find their way to Him. Not because of anything to do with us, but because of everything to do with Him. Be that light in the new year and may God richly bless you for it. Remember God Loves you and so do I.

Pastor Mark

For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.  Ephesians 2:14

What a hope filled verse this is. Jesus Christ is our peace, and He has broken down every barrier. Perhaps that’s why He’s called the Prince of Peace. We all want peace in our lives, but sometimes that kind of harmony seems elusive.

We can’t control others attitudes or actions; only God can do that. We can’t make the people around us be nice, or speak kindly, or act in love. However, we can make sure that our own lives ar so filled with the Prince of Peace that we’re not adding to the discord around us. When our first goal is to reflect His love in our thoughts, our words, and our actions, peace is often a natural consequence.

We need to peace-bearers to those around us. Even when our circumstances don’t carry the serenity we long for, we can keep His peace in our spirits. Our lives should be a reflection of the One who brings peace, because He is peace.

This is truly a season when peace is needed in our lives. Just last night as I sat with one of our members it broke my heart to hear that in the last week in our area there had already been four people that had taken their own life. So please ask yourself what can you do bring peace to others and act in love, because you never know what the person you are talking to at that moment might be dealing with, you may be the one to either push them over or pull them back from the edge.

Dear Father, I want my life to be a beacon of peace to those around me. Teach me to be an embodiment of Christ, the Prince of Peace, to a world that so desperately needs Him. Remind me each moment that peace isn’t determined by others actions or my circumstances. Your peace is already mine because of Christ. Amen.

Remember God Loves you and so do I.

Pastor Mark

Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame. Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious. 1 Peter 2:6-7

One thing we tend to abound in is worry. Worry reflects fear instead of faith. Yes, life is filled with fearsome things, not only involving us and our loved ones, but daily news makes us want to cocoon ourselves, if possible. However, with Jesus as our Rock, we are safe.

The land of Israel is covered with rocks. Homes and businesses and streets are built with them. Israel even exports rocks to other countries. So when 1 Corinthians 10:4 says the rock that gave the Israelites water in the wilderness was the spiritual Rock, Christ, they knew the value of a rock. Do we? If Jesus is our Cornerstone, our foundation is secure. If Jesus is precious to us, we will not worry or fear, but will lay all our problems on Him. Various psalms reveal the Lord as our Redeemer and Rock of Salvation, Fortress and Rock of Refuge, Rock of my Strength, Rock that is higher than I, and the rock of my habitation to which I can continually come. We can sing with the English hymn writer, “Rock of Ages Cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.”

Do you hide yourself in the Rock of your salvation or do you let worry shake you to your foundation?

Lord Jesus, my flesh and my heart may fail, but You are the Rock of my heart and my portion forever. You alone are my Rock and my Salvation, my Stronghold. I shall not be shaken. Amen

Remember God loves you and so do I.
Pastor Mark.