Thank You Veterans!

1. Hayden 11-11-19

This past Monday, our nation celebrated and honored this nation’s great veterans; and for good reason. They serve and have served this great nation in ways many of us would hesitate to do. They often put their own lives on the line to keep our country safe and its citizens free. Many deploy to foreign lands, saying goodbye to their spouses and their children for months on end. They missed holidays and special family life events simply to keep this country strong and protect our wonderful constitutional republic. THANK YOU goes out to YOU OUR VETERANS. And yes, we support our troops, past and present.

Theirs is a rare sacrifice that contributes so much to the freedom we enjoy as Americans. As a Christian, I appreciate the fact that my freedom to worship

and speak the Gospel as secured by the Constitution is protected by the actions of veterans now and in the past. With this freedom, we are able to know the truth and speak the truth to the world. As Jesus declared, “If you continue in my Word you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). There are many people living in other nations who do not have the freedoms that we enjoy. To many, the truth is barred, outlawed, and hidden from them. Throughout history, some world leaders have desired to take our freedoms from us. Some would even desire to take our freedom to preach God’s Word, meet together and study the Bible without State interference, and worship our God in accordance with our own conscience. Thankfully, our veterans fought to keep us living in, “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Now don’t get me wrong. Truth and the freedom that truth provides, comes directly from God. Galatians 5:1 tells us, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” But, while living in these United States of America, many have stepped up from time to time to protect our right to the truth and thereby our right to be a free people. It is our veterans that protect us from earthly foes that may wish to rescind our Constitution and remove the Word of God that is the foundation of our liberty and the justice that so many Americans aspire to. So having said all of this, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO OUR WONDERFUL VETERANS. You are so appreciated!

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris         

This past week we were able to meet and greet many of our neighbors for a wonderful time of food, fun and fellowship, as Central Christian’s Fish Fry was a huge success!  We were able to serve over 450 of our neighbors with fish and chicken, music and smiles.  I’m not exactly sure how much money was raised, but that was never the point anyway.  Our goals for the evening was to provide an opportunity to meet and serve our neighbors, provide opportunities for said service to our members, and to enjoy each other in the fellowship of believers throughout the evening as we served others.  In these three categories, the Fish Fry was a huge success!  And I think we raised a good amount of funds at the same time.  Hallelujah!

The Word of God encourages us to gather together in fellowship opportunities.  In Hebrews 10:24-25 we read,   “…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Because we know that the return of the Lord is drawing near, we need to continue to reach out to our communities and fellowship with one another, keeping ourselves busy in building God’s Kingdom “here on earth as it is in heaven” (Lord’s Prayer). 

In the next few months we will have several opportunities to gather together as a Church family in service and fellowship together.  Some of these events include the Harvest Fall Festival gathering on October 30^th, the Christian Women’s Fellowship Lunch and Bizarre sale on November 2^nd, the all Church Christmas dinner, kettle ringing, Christmas Eve Watch Night gathering along with regular weekly services in December.  All these opportunities that we might bring others into God’s Kingdom and grow in our own spiritual lives and fellowship with one another.   Let us remember the Apostle John’s strong admonition to the Body of Christ in 1 John 1:5-7, ”This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris         

We Look At The Unseen

1. Hayden 9-23-19

God calls His people to live by faith. In fact, Scripture tells us that “the just shall live by faith” and that “without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”(Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 11:6). So to live by faith is absolutely critical in developing a strong relationship with our Lord. Unfortunately, so many of God’s people struggle to maintain a life marked by this one guiding principle – that is “living by faith.” So how do we do it?

This phrase can be defined in a couple different ways but I see God’s Word describe it as trusting in God and what His Word tells us in spite of what we may perceive with the five physical senses. Your five senses may see you as weak, but God’s Word tells the weak to say they are strong. Your bank account may claim you are poor but the Bible tells us that God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Those around you may tell you that you can’t accomplish anything, yet God’s Word tells you that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).   For many people who live only by the five physical senses, seeing situations and circumstances by the eye of faith is foreign at best and impossible at worst. But we are not destined to be ruled but what we see for we are God’s children. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

When Abraham was told that he would be the father of many nations even though his wife Sarah was well past child-bearing years, he had a choice. Was he going to believe God and His Word or would he doubt God and believe the deadness of Sarah’s womb? He choice to believe God and it was counted as righteousness before the Lord. And of course, he became what God said he would, the father of many nations. What do you see in your life that tends to contradict what the Word of God declares regarding you? Remember these words from the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris         

Musings – Quo Vadis

1. Hayden 9-26-16

Just exploring a few musings today. Last night after the Elder’s meeting, I did a little channel surfing on the TV and came across this old movie that brought back fond memories. The movie was called “Quo Vadis”, a New Testament-times epic starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr. The title “Quo Vadis” is a Latin phrase meaning, “Where are you going?” The film tells the story of a fierce Roman Commander, Marcus Vinicius who falls in love with a Christian girl named Lygia. Throughout the movie, we are able to witness the evolution of Marcus’ belief as he begins to change from hardened battle commander loyal to Rome to a Christian believer willing to die for “the Faith.” This change begins as he is able to witness first hand the strength and courage of believers as Nero exacts his madness upon Rome, blaming Christians for the fire that He himself started, then executing believers in the coliseum in some of the most hideous ways.

My main muse is over what many of these early believers suffered for their faith in Christ along with many others throughout the centuries and even today. They suffered torments, tortures and even death for their faith. And yet we struggle over the most benign of issues. How could we even hope to be strong enough to be faithful like them when we often make up things to imitate real problems? I could say so much more, but I will let the Scriptures close out this muse. Everyone have a great week!

Hebrews 11:32-38 – ^“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy…”

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris         

Communing With God

1. Hayden 8-10-19

No one’s faith can grow to any significant level and no one’s relationship with the Almighty will be strengthened without spending time with God Himself. If we neglect communing with our spouses and children, those relationships begin to suffer and will eventually become non-existent. Unfortunately, so many who view themselves as believers in Christ have neglected communing with the Lord and therefore have forfeited any meaningful relationship with Him. But Saints, it does not have to be that way. God has made a way for us to come into His very presence anytime we wish. We sing about meeting with God, but do we. The song “in The Garden” is an iconic hymn that we love to sing, but far too often, they are only words we admire, failing to put them into practice. “I come to the garden alone…And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.” Wonderful words of life!

There isn’t even close to enough room on this page to list all of the scriptures telling us our need to pray. And that is exactly what prayer is, simply communing with God. After listing the armor of God in the 6^th chapter of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul gives one very important piece of advice. “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18). And in the book of Hebrews the Lord beckons us to come to Him. To commune with Him. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16). It is in His presence we receive mercy and grace. It is in communing with God that His power is made abundantly available to His people with a fullness of joy. Enter God’s presence and commune with Him regularly. Your faith will grow exponentially.

Be blessed even more and have a wonderful week and thank you for all you do for God’s Kingdom!!

Pastor Chris         

Giants

1. Hayden 7-25-19

The past few weeks have been an adventure as the Thursday morning Bible study has been tackling the issues that surround overcoming and conquering the giants that people face in life. Louie Giglio, well known Pastor and speaker, has been taking us on an odyssey of courage reminding us that, even though we may be facing giants that want to destroy us, they must fall to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The last couple of episodes we faced down giants of “fear” and “rejection.” We are looking forward to facing down more giants in upcoming Thursday morning studies. The office was packed this last study with 9 in attendance. But we have room for many more so if you have an open hour, join us every Thursday at 10:00am in the church office.

This study surrounds the Biblical account of David and Goliath and how this young faithful shepherd boy faced down and defeated the mighty giant Goliath. In the same way, we can face down giants also, but Louie puts a twist on who David really is. As the study points out, we are not David. it is Jesus Christ who is David, our champion. We do not become victorious by being David. We overcome by relying on our David—Jesus Christ!!

The Word tells us in Romans 8:35-37 says, ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” We are conquerors through Him! The Lord is David who has defeated Goliath and by relying on Christ and His shed blood, we become victorious over the giants that would want to take us down. As the Apostle John said in 1 John 5:4-5 – ⁴ for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Be blessed even more!

Pastor Chris         

Miracle in Your Mouth

1. Hayden 7-11-19

Many years ago, before coming into the ministry, I was listening to a particular preacher speak on the power that was in the tongue. His foundational Scripture was Proverbs 18:21 that says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” I was especially intrigued when he uttered the phrase, “There is a miracle in your mouth.” Now I am not a “name it and claim it” kind of person, but if we believe in God’s Word and His instructions regarding the things we say, we must admit that there is power in the kind of language we choose to use. I believe in miracles and I believe it God’s power. And there seems to be a correlation between what we say and whether we see God move in our life or not.

As well as the verse in Proverbs, we can how important our speech is according to these Scriptures:

·         Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; (1 Peter 3:10),

·         Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29),

·         I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37),

·         Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psalm 141:3),

·         But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8), and

·         If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless (James 1:26).

These are but only a few of the many references to the importance of ordering our speech to line up with what God’s Word says. When the 12 spies returned from scoping out the Promised Land that was to be their home, only Joshua and Caleb spoke positively about being well able to take the land. The other 10 spoke negatively about how they were too weak, too small, and too incapable of driving out the current inhabitants that stood in their way. Because of their words, those 10 never entered the Holy Lands. But Joshua and Caleb did. That day, there was power in their words and they were rewarded for ordering their speech to line up with the promises of God. We must do the same.

Be blessed even more and have a wonderful week!!

Pastor Chris         

Holy Fire

1. Hayden 6-25-19

The last few Sunday’s, Central Christian has been celebrating Pentecost. The Day of Pentecost is the celebration that takes 50 days after Passover and commemorates the time that Moses met with God on Mount Sinai and the birth of the first fruits of the harvest. It was also the day that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the 120 disciples of the Lord in the upper room. On that day that Moses came down from the mountain, 3000 Israelites were condemned to die because of their sinful debauchery and disobedience to God’s law in one day, but after Peter and the rest of the disciples experienced this same Pentecost, 3000 people were saved in one day.   We find this account in Acts 2:1-4, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The Day of Pentecost was a day that changed the life of Christianity forever. The Holy Spirit had come! The Church now had the power to exhibit the life and miracles of Jesus to the rest of the world. The Old Testament foretold of this outpouring of the Spirit and Jesus confirmed that this was to be given. In 1997, Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York, wrote the book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.” It documented the momentous change of a congregation that experienced such an outpouring of God’s Spirit to its members. I would suggest everyone take the time to read this account of what God can do in the life of a congregation that experiences the infilling of God’s Spirit. We still see God move in the life of people totally submitted to the God who created them, the God who saved them, and the very same God who loves them. Fresh wind and fresh fire can belong to anyone who desires all that God would give them if they so wanted it. Jim Cymbala focuses much of the text on what he believes was the catalyst for this outpouring of the Spirit to his church. Next blog, we will reveal to you what it was that Pastor Cymbala tells the world as to what he believes brought this Holy Fire to Brooklyn Tabernacle.

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris         

Here Comes the Son

1. Hayden 5-29-19

“Here Comes the Sun”, one of the most iconic songs written by the late George Harrison, was a reflection of the composers need for a respite period in the midst of all of the chaos permeating the Beatle’s during their final days before their official breakup in 1970. The song was written at the home of Eric Clapton while George was skipping a meeting with the band. He just needed a break from the Apple Records business meetings that were becoming more and more contentious as the group came ever closer to the inevitable dissolution of their musical relationship.

On the same “note”, no pun intended, there are times when we need a respite as well. Every year, couples and families take off for a week or two or three to recapture their energy, taking a break from the daily grind that is life! Oh how we love to vacation, or as they say in Australia, “going on holiday, mate!” The Lord new very well how important getting away from the struggles of existence is, if only for a short time. It is He who instituted the one day of rest each week. It is He who instituted multiple festivals each year for celebration with Him and our families. And it is God who commands us to enter into rest.

Hebrews 4:10-11 NLT says, “¹⁰ For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. ¹¹ So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.” This scripture isn’t necessarily speaking to going on a physical vacation. It includes resting in the finished work of Christ, not trying to work to earn God’s love, but resting in the fact that He already loves us and has provided a way whereby we enter into His rest through our relationship with Him. It is as if God has offered us a permanent luxury cruise from all of the guilt, shame and failures of our past, present, and future.

As we prepare for our next vacation, seeing as how summer is at our front door, let our good times in Florida or wherever, be a reminder that God is pleased with our rest. Rest from work, rest from school, and rest from our normal responsibilities. But more importantly, rest from those things that would separate us from a fulfilling and vibrant relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ!

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris