Live As If God Is Number One!
1-15-2024
C. Hayden
King David, yes, the same David who slew the giant Goliath, had many talents and gifts that he was able
to use in service to the Lord our God. David was an extremely gifted warrior, military general, keeper of
Jewish law, and well-loved (and hated by enemies) king of the nation of Israel. He was also well versed
in musicianship and song writing. The lion’s share of the book of Psalms was written by this military
commander. Psalm 27:4, a Psalm of David says this, “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I
seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. To behold the beauty of the
LORD, and to enquire in His temple.” What this mega-successful man of God desired above everything else was to find himself in the continual presence of our Lord Jesus.
His desire was not for more power, more money, more success, more temples, more concubines, more
of anything else the world had to offer. David’s desire was to have more of God’s presence; a cup filled to the full of Jesus Himself. Some people come to the Lord because of their fear of death. Some come to the Lord for the hope of help in their time of trouble. Some because they have found no place else to turn. It really doesn’t
matter why you come. Just that you come. But hopefully, after seeing the wonder of Jesus, if you have
seen is unimaginable goodness, we come to the place where nothing is as important as our relationship
with Christ.
The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3, states that everything he had gained in life as a high leader,
educated ruler, keeper of the law, and Pharisee in the Jewish culture, was absolutely worthless in
comparison to knowing his Lord and Savior. In fact, Paul viewed his possessions, education, positions,
wealth, and royal lineage as dung (animal waste), next to knowing Him, the power of His resurrection,
the fellowship of His sufferings, and being conformed to the very likeness of His Master’s death. Wow,
what a statement. All that Paul gave up for his relationship with Christ had no value in comparison to
what he gained by following Christ. Both David and Paul, through their writings to God’s people the
extreme importance of putting God first in our lives. He should always be our Number One!
Be blessed even more you wonderful children of God!!
Pastor Chris
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Communication Problems?
1-1-2024
C. Hayden
Ever since Al Gore’s invention of the internet (tongue in cheek, ha-ha), we have jettisoned ourselves, not only into
the information age, but also into the communication age. Cellphones have put the ability to communicate with
each other in more ways, with faster speeds, and with almost any person living in any country around world at the
speed of light and with the touch of just a few buttons. But while we have the technology to communicate with
others in ever increasingly efficient and eclectic methods, it is our own sinful human deficiency that keeps us from
being able to communicate, understand, and play nicely with others.
One of the reasons Rob Jones, long time member and elder of Central Christian Church is coming on
board as a full-time Associate Pastor is to maximize our ability to communicate with one another. I personally
think we do a good job in communicating with our members and leaders. Right now, we send messages and
information through:
1) Flocknote messages sent out regularly (a program-based email and cellphone text-message program),
2) Bi-monthly newsletters (sent to are members & attendees receiving through email & snail mail),
3) Homebound newsletters sent out monthly,
4) Flyers and information postcards found throughout the Church,
5) A pray line email sent out to the Church when members & attendees are in need,
6) Scrolling messages before and sometimes during services (on the big screen), and
7) Announcements delivered at the beginning of services.
It is curious when, at times, someone will come up to me letting me know that they were unaware about an event
or opportunity. We’re not perfect though and sometimes we miss some things. Well, maybe Pastor Rob will be
able to help make sure information no longer falls through the cracks. We will
keep trying to better our communication efforts.
The Bible makes it very clear that communication is vitally
important. Important for us to consistently communicate with our Lord
and vitally important if we are to receive direction and guidance through our
listening to God Himself. The apostle John writes in 1 John 5:13, “These
things I have written to you who believe…that you may know that you have
eternal life and that you may continue to believe…” The whole Bible is God communicating to the people of the
world who He is, where and why we are here, God’s great love for us and what the future holds for all who believe
on His Name (and what is waiting for those who do not).
The Lord wants to speak to you, and He wants you to speak to Him. He invented the method by which
this is done. God sent His Son, the Logos (the Word) and His Holy Spirit by which communication between you and
God Himself can happen. Won’t you speak to Him today? He loves you and wants to talk to you. He is waiting.
Be blessed even more you wonderful children of God!!
Pastor Chris
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God Is Love
12-15-2023
C. Hayden
by Bill Bright from “God: 13 Steps to Discovering His Attributes”
“May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is” (Ephesians 3:17-18)
God is the source of all love. It flows out of the great reservoir of His goodness. Love permeates all of His attributes. While people sometimes violate standards of honesty, righteousness, and morality to please others, God never compromises His integrity, His love is unconditional. It is not based on how good you are or what you do to please Him. He loves you because He is God and you are His creation. God’s love never fails. The psalmist proclaims, “The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever” (Psalm 100:5). God’s love will not be terminated because of disappointment or a change of heart. He defines love,He generates love, and He demonstrates what true love looks like.
John explains, “This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (1 John 4:10). Jesus gave His life on your behalf. He could not have sacrificed any more. God’s love for you is supreme. We, in turn, are to love God wholeheartedly. Jesus declared: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38). God in His sovereignty, has created us to find our greatest joy and fulfillment in loving Him.
“Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39)
God also enables us to be channels of His supernatural love. On our own, we are incapable of loving as we should, but God has for us an unending supply off His divine love. It is for us to claim, to enjoy, and to share with others. When believers begin to love God, love their neighbors as themselves, and love their enemies, society will change for the better. Then the world today, as in the first century, will marvel when they see and experience the transforming power of God’s love.
Be blessed even more you wonderful children of God!!
Pastor Chris
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