From the Pastor

“PASSION WEEK” Fast & Prayer Challenge (Thursday)

TWO THIEVES – TWO CHOICES… (Derived from Max Lucado’s book – 3:16) 

Romans 8:1… Therefore, there is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are IN CHRIST JESUS.

Ever wonder why there were two crosses next to Christ? Why not six or ten? Ever wonder why Jesus was in the center? Why not on the far right or far left? Could it be that the two crosses on the hill symbolize one of God’s greatest gifts? THE GIFT OF CHOICE. 

The two criminals have so much in common.  Convicted by the same system. Condemned to the same death. Surrounded by the same crowd. Equally close to the same Jesus. In fact, they begin with the same sarcasm… “The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus” (Matthew 27:44)

But one CHANGED.  “He said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:42-43)

Think about that thief who repented for a minute. Though we know little about him, we know this… He made some bad mistakes in his life. He chose the wrong crowd, the wrong morals, the wrong behavior. But would you consider his life a waste? Is he spending eternity reaping the fruit of all the bad choices he made? No… just the opposite. He’s actually enjoying the fruit of the one good choice he made! In the end all his bad choices were redeemed by a solitary good one.

You’ve probably made some bad choices in your life, haven’t you? You look back over your life and say things like… “If only… if only I could make up for those bad choices.” Well… YOU CAN!

One Good Choice for ETERNITY offsets a thousand bad ones on the earth! Start TODAY by CHOOSING better – by CHOOSING to LIVE DAILY for HIM and not for YOU!

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Posted by Josh Barrett with

“PASSION WEEK” Fast & Prayer Challenge (Wednesday)

GOD GAVE… (Derived from Max Lucado’s book – 3:16)

John 3:16… For God so loved the world that HE GAVE his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Twenty-six words that envelope HOPE!

It BEGINS with GOD and ENDS with LIFE!

Words that are brief enough to jot down on a sticky note but solid enough to last two thousand plus years of storms and questions!

If you know nothing of the BIBLE – all you need to do is start here! 

If you know everything about the BIBLE – all you need to do is return here!

See… The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human!

And God’s remedy for that problem is prescribed in JOHN 3:16!

 He Loves.

HE GAVE.

We Believe.

We Live.

 This verse is nothing more than an alphabet of GRACE!

Read it again slowly…

“For God so LOVED…”

We’d be right if we expected an angry God for our selfish hearts – one who punishes the world – recycles the world – forsakes the world – BUT ONE WHO LOVES?

“the world…”

Full of heart-breakers – hope-snatchers and evil-doers.

“that HE GAVE…”

WHAT…? Rules? Declarations? Guidelines?  No. 

“HE GAVE His Son – His ONLY Son.” 

Divinity packaged in Flesh. HE GAVE HIMSELF!  But Why?

“that whoever…” 

Whoever is a universal world. It’s all-inclusive. Within it holds the possibility for anyone.

“believes in Him…”

Suggesting a change of thought. A transition of thinking.

“shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

A chance to change your destiny. A chance to restore a once severed relationship.

ALL BECAUSE GOD CHOSE TO GIVE!

How have you responded lately to such a GIFT?

Posted by Josh Barrett with

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