You walk down a dark alley and stop and bang on a metal door in the middle of a blank brick wall. An eye slide in the door opens and two angry eyes growl, “Wha. d’ ya want?” “Big Louie sent me.” The slide slams shut but the door opens wide and you’re in! Big Louie’s name has clout, but Big Louie’s name can’t get you into Heaven! Only the name of Jesus can! “For there is no other name given among men by which we must be saved.” There is no other name to whom one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord, but the name of Jesus! Jesus told us to pray in His name, to ask for our needs in His name. He didn’t say to pray to Peter, Paul, or His mother. He said to pray to the Father in My name! One of the last things He said to His disciples was, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth.” He is the boss, He is in charge, He can get things done. Why would you remotely think to go to anyone else? Whose name has more clout than Jesus? Again, what did He say to His disciples as they were walking toward the Mt. of Olives? “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.” You want to be blessed? Pray in Jesus’ name! You want people to be saved? Tell them to pray in Jesus’ name. You want your joy to be full? Ask in the name of Jesus! There are many saintly people throughout the ages whose names are worth remembering, but their names have no clout. Call on the name of Jesus! Big Louie’s name may get you in an alley back door, but only the name of Jesus will get you through the gates of Heaven!
Saharan dust, smog, jet contrails, storm clouds, there’s always something trying to block our view of Heaven. Wars, politics, politicians, the economy, work, family, in-laws, outlaws, there’s always something trying to deter us from attempting to look through the smog to see Heaven. Word of advice: never lose sight of Heaven! It is our hope, it is our promise. Yeah, there are a multitude of things to get us sidetracked and discouraged, but what did Peter tell us? “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” He’s got your back! In Matthew 6:26-34, Jesus lays it out pretty clearly. We worry about earthly things when we should be concerned with Heavenly things. He takes care of the birds, He clothes the flowers, He’ll take care of you. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Be more concerned with building your Heavenly treasure than your earthly one. Never lose sight of Heaven! Forget the storm clouds, think of Stephen. After delivering his evangelical message, the crowd is snarling and gnashing their teeth and getting ready to stone him and Stephen cries out, ” Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Can we get a better example? Blow the Saharan dust away and never lose sight of Heaven!
Why do people do what they do? I mean, what would possess anyone to eat 76 hot dogs in ten minutes? (possessed is a definite possibility) The fame, the glory of holding a world record, the adulation of adoring fans that can’t count to ten? Why do you do what you do? If you are a follower of Jesus the answer is easy or as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Jesus told us to “let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.” We should be motivated in everything we do, whether at work, at play, on Sunday or Monday, whether driving among snowbirds or waiting in an endless checkout line, to honor the Lord with our actions and speech. People should see something different in us and when they ask what it is, we should happily tell them Jesus! We need to be constantly showing the world Jesus’ love, but we first need to start with our brothers and sisters. The church, His family, should be so overflowing with love that it splashes on all who pass by! Check your motivation. If it isn’t to honor God, better check out why not! Don’t be hiding your light, let it shine so all can see it, unless you’re planning to eat 76 hot dogs. That is a motivation that definitely needs some checking!
I’ve said it many times, my favorite trait is humility. My favorite people are smart, talented, and beautiful (or handsome) and they are so humble they don’t think they are any of the three. Humility is sorely lacking in the world today. It has become a society of selfie self-adulation, with humility being an unknown concept. Yet we were given the ultimate example of humility when Jesus, Lord of Lord and King of Kings, only hours before He willingly gave Himself to endure an excruciatingly painful death, knelt down and washed His disciples feet, something only done by the lowliest of servants. Self-adulation is nothing new, the Disciples had already been arguing about who was to be the greatest in Heaven, prompting Jesus to set the example, for them, and for us! “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant … just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve …” Can you imagine our country if everyone in DC had that attitude? Can you imagine Capri, Marco, Naples, if everyone had that attitude? Sadly, everyone won’t, but you can! Think of others more highly than yourself. Intentionally strive to be aware of the needs of others and what you can do to help them. Wash their feet (metaphorically) and while it may be hard for you, like Peter, let them wash yours!
Why are so many people in the world adverse to Jesus? Of course the primary reason is because satan and his army is doing everything it can to defame His name, but could another reason be that they aren’t as adverse to Jesus as they are to Christians? I once had a co-worker say to me, “Christmas would be a great time of the year if it weren’t for all of the Christians!” After I slapped her up the side of the head, we had a calm discussion, but that was one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard. Paul wrote to the Galatian church, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” If we are walking in the Spirit, heeding His promptings, the world can’t help but notice. If we are alive in the Spirit but walking in the flesh, the world will definitely notice that too! What do people notice in you? In His last hours, Jesus told His disciples he who loves this life will lose it but he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternity. Naturally there are things in this life that we love, but are they Godly things or worldly things? As Jesus died for us, so must we die to ourselves. Seeds must die and be planted in order to bear fruit. Be a seed that is planted and grows and produces much fruit. Let the world see Him in us that one day we may see Him in them!
July 4th, the birth of a nation like no other. Founded on Biblical principles by God fearing men, our country has been blessed beyond measure. CCC celebrated those blessings this weekend starting off with the Heroes breakfast on Saturday morning to honor the men and women, past and present, who have served or are serving in one of our military forces. Sunday morning, Pastor Steve and the Celebration Choir presented a moving tribute in song at both services followed by an all church dinner at 12:15. Our freedom is a precious thing but it can be taken away quicker than they can be gained. Never take our freedom for granted! Never stop thanking God for His blessing on our country, never stop thanking Him for allowing you to be an American, and never stop thanking Him for our greatest freedom, our forgiveness through Jesus! Enjoy the day, be safe, and celebrate a nation like no other!
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
July 4th, the birth of a nation like no other. Founded on Biblical principles by God fearing men, our country has been blessed beyond measure. CCC celebrated those blessings this weekend starting off with the Heroes breakfast on Saturday morning to honor the men and women, past and present, who have served or are serving in one of our military forces. Sunday morning, Pastor Steve and the Celebration Choir presented a moving tribute in song at both services followed by an all church dinner at 12:15. Our freedom is a precious thing but it can be taken away quicker than they can be gained. Never take our freedom for granted! Never stop thanking God for His blessing on our country, never stop thanking Him for allowing you to be an American, and never stop thanking Him for our greatest freedom, our forgiveness through Jesus! Enjoy the day, be safe, and celebrate a nation like no other!