Defining Moments

What do building an ark, talking to a burning bush, marching around a city's wall, a fiery furnace, a den of lions, a giant, a boy and his slingshot, a bloody cross and an empty tomb all have in common?  These were all Defining Moments for Greatness!

Defining moments that allowed us to see what these individuals were made of and what they were made for...

Often the choices we make during critical moments will help "form" ourselves as well as inform others about who we really are.  these "defining moments" give us the opportunity to stand up! instead of staying seated with the rest of the crowd...

Isaiah says, It is God who teaches us to profit (Isaiah 48:17)

• Profit (yawal)
• to ascend
• to achieve
• to excel to the next level

"God's desire is for us, as believers, to excel to the next level of accountability and responsibility - to raise the level of expectations..."

 So, my friends, when you find yourselves staring at a "defining moment"... an intersection in life... a chance for change...
it's only there to reveal who you are and WHOSE you are!

Stand firm in the Faith!

Pastor Jody

The Shoes of Peace (Part II)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15 NIV

In our study last week, we cross examined the shoes worn by Roman Soldiers - these studded sandals, (a.k.a. Golf Shoes with an Attitude!) and we discovered that the soldier's life depended on keeping good traction over any terrain.
We were also able to make the connection between these shoes, and the Peace that God gives, that often comes to us in a variety of ways.

First - Peace With God.  the primarily deals with out Spirit man.  It was only through Christ's Sacrifice at Calvary that brought to us Redemption and Reconciliation... (Colossians 1:20)  The Sin barrier was removed and now our eternal soul has Peace with God!

Second - this Peace belongs to every believer.  It deals with our Natural man and the challenges and struggles that we face every day.  This peace is referred to as having the Peace OF God.  Sadly today, many Christians might encounter Peace with God, but never ever experience the Peace OF God in their everyday lives.

Listen to Paul's advice to these young converts,

"Let the Peace of God rule in your hearts..."  The word used here is "rule" (brabeuo) which means "an umpire"

or, "Let the Peace of God be the umpire in your life..."

 "Let the Peace of God referee your emotions..."

So we say, Let the Peace of God say to our worries, fears and discouragements... "You're Outta Here!"

Keep on Keeping on!

Pastor Jody

Shoes of Peace

 The Shoes of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)
In the past few weeks, we have examined the blessings and benefits of being made righteous through Christ.  So now, we'll move on to our next piece of Spiritual Armor - the Shoes of Peace.

These shoes weren't your ordinary "Palestine Pacers" but more like thick-soled sandals, studded with brass spikes 1 - 2 inches long.  they were like golf shoes, but with attitude!  This design was to ensure that the Roman Soldier always had very firm footing when in battle regardless of the terrain.  The outcome of the soldier depended on his ability to stay on his feet and hold his ground without slipping!

The word "peace" (eirene) describes one who is calm, tranquil, at rest with his surroundings.  This peace comes to us in two ways:

First, there's the peace with God (Colossians 1:20,21).  Peace with God is a pace that a believer experiences when he or she comes to the Lord for Salvation.   Peace with God is a spiritual condition that, through repentance, the sin barrier is dissolved and now a relationship with God can be established.

reconciled (v21) in harmony with; in agreement or alliance with.

We're no longer alienated or enemies of God, but we're now on His side - and being on God's side produces the fruit of Peace (Galations 5:22) and this, of course, is what conversion is all about:  Experiencing Peace with God!

until next week...

Pastor Jody

Camping... It can be "intents"...

This past weekend we celebrated our 1th annual Camp CCF!  Our little three day excursion to Lake Murray State Park where we could "unwind", take off our watches, turn off the television and remember that we can survive without computers and cell phones...  Oh well, two out of three ain't bad!  During these three days, we can experience the fun of Family, Friends and Fellowship.

Camping was God's idea - He ordered the entire Nation of Israel to vacate their homes and jobs for one week in october to live in tents as their fathers, along with Moses had done for forty years in the wilderness.   Forty years of the sand as their carpet and the stars as their blanket and Jehovah God as their source!  Too often, we can become overwhelmed by the demands of our day and we forget the blessings and benefits that come from God. (Psalms 103:2)

The reason for this annual "retreat" was to cause men and women to become fully aware of not only the complexity of creation, but of the Creator as well.  (Job ch.38, 39, 40)

"Remember the Lord your God..." (Deuteronomy 8:18)

These past few days spent with my friends and family have been great medicine to my body and soul!  We have shared our Faith - we've encouraged and enriched one another and we have celebrated our Creator, and complimented HIS Creation!

Life is Good!

Pastor Jody