Candy Cane

The Prince of Peace

<sup>Scripture: Isaiah 9: 1-6

1</sup> Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-

² The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

³ You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

⁴ For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

⁵ Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

⁶ For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

All About Me

Scripture Reference: Psalms 51:6-8 and Mark 8:34

Ps 51:6-8

⁶ Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

⁹ Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Mark 8:34

³⁴Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take

up his cross and follow me.”

Psalms 51 is one of the greatest passages in the entire Bible concerning confession and forgiveness. It was written after David committed adultery with Bath-sheba and subsequently had her husband Uriah killed in battle. (see ll Sam. 11:2 – 12:14) David’s repentance included: A godly sorrow for his sin (ll Cor. 7:10-11): Verbal confession; A turning away from sin; Forgiveness; Restoration to God’s favor; Rejoicing in salvation; A willingness to testify to other about the grace of God.

Pastor Collins’ sermon outlined three categories of sin which Christians fall into when self is placed first in our lives: 1) Sinful Behavior – Sins of the flesh, such as sex, alcohol and drug addition hostility, and immorality. Some Christian ministries have become callous, cold and stale in their worship of God; living as though they have some license to live any kind of way. 2) Sinful Attitude – Attributes of sinful behavior, selfishness and pride, false teachings and destructiveness. 3) Blasphemy – To fall out of love with God, wickedness, sacrilege and irreverence.

Sin is self-centeredness and pride that leads to oppression against others. One form is being very bad and breaking all of God’s laws, and the other form is being very good and keeping all the laws but becoming self-righteous.

As followers of God, it is essential that we first deny ourselves and repent. Our sinful attitudes and behavior must be removed in favor of humility and willing sacrificial love for one another.

Through Christ we have been set free from sin, made perfect forever, made holy, blameless and pure, enslaved to righteousness through obedient faith and made spiritual. We are no longer controlled by our sinful nature, if the Spirit of God lives in us. We are pleasing to God by our faith and considered “saints”, not sinners. God sent Christ in the image of sinful man to be a sin offering, so that the righteous, holy requirements of the law could be fully met in those whom the Spirit of God dwells.

Today God calls us, as disciples of Jesus Christ to love, take action and live out the life that Christ began some 2000 years ago. Jesus commanded us to proclaim the Good News. Go with the power of the spirit, with a new step and a new vision of fulfilling God's will in this unloving and uncaring world.

A Psalm 111 - I Will Give Thanks To The Lord

Praise the Lord.I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever. He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy, they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

~~~~~~

Unlimited Thanksgiving

We open wide thankful hearts when we receive the Lord's undeserved blessings. In those exciting times we find it easy to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. Do we selfishly limit our boundaries? Maybe we need to develop a "constant thanksgiving" plan in all circumstances.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJ)." Unlimited thanksgiving will stretch us and also offers the potential of a greatly expanded witness. To be thankful in everything is certainly not a normal response! The key is to remember we are not instructed to thank God for everything, but in everything. Evil and hardship we face are not the source of thankfulness; and we face them with inner turmoil. In everything we can give thanks for God's faithfulness and love! Maybe we can positively influence others to see God's tender hand in everything. The sky is the limit!

by Pam Ford Davis
9/28/2009 / Devotionals

Parable of the Light

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

Many Judean cities were built on sides of mountains, so that travelers would be able see them from afar. Jesus pointed to such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on an important location can be seen by many over a wide area; representing a disciple's far-ranging, widespread exposure to others, and their broad influence.

Jesus' illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple's more intimate influence. A Christian's actions cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world. Therefore he must live a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life, letting his "light so shine before men . . . glorifing the Father in heaven."

Light is of a three-fold nature: natural, artificial, and spiritual. Sun light is natural; A lamp, artificial; The light of the Word and its believers; spiritual. This phrase preeminently applied to Jesus because He is to the mortal world what the sun is to the natural world. The apostles, ministers, and all Christians are lights of the world; because by their witness they show; what God requires, what man's condition is, and the way that leads to the Kingdom of God.

Jesus shows the disciples that they have been illuminated so that others might see their light and benefit from it. When a lamp is lit, the light is not concealed but placed where it may be of use. So it is with God's way of life and those who follow it. God gives His truth to us to benefit others. It should not be obscured but shown in stark contrast to the wicked world; thereby exposing and instructing it. If a light is hidden, as under a basket, no one benefits from it.

A Christian's righteous life, pleasant attitude, and good works, including pure conversation and faithful obedience, should not be hidden but should be seen and known. We can give no light until we have received the grace of God and the enlightenment that comes through the Holy Spirit. Our lives must produce the fruit of the spirit, reflecting the shining example of Jesus Christ.

Humbly, in all communities, in all businesses, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, it should be clear that we adhere to God's way of life. Letting our examples shine requires that we resist the influence of the world. We cannot have a light that shines and at the same time live as the world does with its lust of the flesh. We glorify the Father by bearing the fruit of the Spirit and by doing good works, by correctly praising and honoring Him, and by being led to worship Him properly in obedience. We provide a witness to the world when they see in our lives the excellence of God's way. We learn five principles in this parable:

1. God's truth cannot be concealed.

2. Where light is not manifested in our lives, we make no witness.

3. Those that profess Christianity yet live like worldly people prove that they are not truly converted.

4. Attempting to hide our Christianity betrays God's trust, injures the cause of goodness, and renders our lives useless.

5. Good actions will be seen, leading people to honor God.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered

Scripture Reference: 1Peter 9:3-5/15-19 (NIV)

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
The influence of Peter on the early church was stronger than that of any of the original Twelve Disciples. He was also the most prominent during Jesus’ lifetime. However Pastor Collins explained that Peter, the writer of 1Peter is a different person. He is not the same man we met with Jesus before the crucifixion, this is a new Peter that has been regenerated by God.

As a disciple Peter was taught by Christ, he set under him as a pupil. Peter here in this book is an apostle, and has been empowered by the Master to represent him. Peter has no shame now saying that he is representing Jesus. This is because with God there is complete forgiveness, our hearts have been made new again. We should never permit past sins, failures, and humiliations to impede us from living for and representing Christ.

There is reference made to those whom God regenerated in (verse 3). We became the heirs of a resurrectioned body because the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the first fruits of our own resurrection (verse 4). The inheritance made possible by Jesus Christ is kept for us. It is not only an inheritance for the past believer, but also for us who are currently alive on earth. We are being guarded by God who is in heaven while, through faith, we are awaiting our liberation from earth.

God wants us to be holy because He is with us and in us. He does not want to be contaminated by the impurities of this world "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God and they shall be My people" (II Corinthians 6:16). To have a fellowship with God, we must become holy as He is. "'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you'" (II Corinthians 6:17).

The church is the community where God's truth is taken seriously. We should not be superficial, or impetuous. We must work hard, setting our hope in God's grace, not in our own willpower.

"Remember always that our obedience is to a gracious Person, not to a coldly calculating judge or to society: holiness not sanctimoniousness. It is being separated for a special purpose by special instructions and discipline. We have been called to perform a unique purpose. We have been called to glorify God by our lives as a witness to all who observe, and at the same time being prepared for His Kingdom. God wants us to have a passionate love for goodness, so in your mind give Him a unique place.

By: B Stevenson

So Close But Yet So Far

Scripture Reference John 5: 1-8

1After these things there wasa feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered,[waiting for the moving of the waters; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" 7The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." 8Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk."

This passage teaches what misery sin brought into the world. This man endured pain and infirmity for thirty-eight years. He had witnessed others being healed at the waters of Bethesda, but for him there had been no healing. Friendless, helpless, and hopeless, he lay near the wonder-working waters, but derived no benefit from them. Year after year passed away and left him still uncured. No relief or change for the better seemed likely to come, except from the grave.

At certain seasons the waters of this pool were agitated, and it was commonly believed that this was the result of supernatural power. Whoever stepped into the water first after the troubling of the pool would be healed of whatever disease he had. Hundreds of suffers visited the place; but so great was the crowd when the water was troubled that they rushed forward, trampling underfoot men, women and children, weaker than themselves. Many could not get near the pool. There were porches that surround the pool where some spent the night, creeping to the edge of the pool day after day, in vain hope of relief.

Alone and friendless, feeling that he was shut out from God’s mercy; the sufferer had passed long years of misery. At the moment the water was troubled, he had no one to help him into the pool. He had seen the rippling of the water, but had never been able to get farther than the edge of the pool. Others stronger than he would plunge in before him. He could not contend successfully with the selfish scrambling crowd.

The sick man was lying by the pool lifting his head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent over him and the words “Wilt thou be made whole?” Hope came to his heart. . Jesus does not ask the sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply says “Rise, take up they bed and walk.” The man's faith however takes hold of his words and every nerve and muscle trills with life.

Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. There are many who realize their helplessness and who long for that spiritual life which will bring them in to harmony with God; “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24)” Look up! the Savior is there freely offering the purchase of His blood, saying with tenderness and pity, “Do you wish to get well? (Verse 6)”

Believe His word and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. He will impart life to the soul that is “dead in trespass, (Eph.2:1)”. He will set the captive free that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sins.

No matter how far you may think you are from your healing, God is not far away He is right there standing over you, with love and compassion; biding you to arise in health and peace.

By: Lillie Jackson and B. Stevenson

Happy Autumn

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see. This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.

God Bless You & Happy Fall!

e-mailed by E. Buckhalter

Who Touched Me!

Scripture Reference: Matthew 9: 20-22 (NIV)

20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

In the sermon on Sunday October 18, 2009, Pastor Collins’ focus was Personal Faith. The woman in Matthew 9:20 was healed by her faith. The affliction, by Matthew’s comparison to Mark and Luke’s account, is very brief: "A woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years" (v. 20). This, a female disorder, would have made her ritually unclean and defiling to others (read Lev 15:19-33), which helps to explain her seeking to make contact with Jesus inconspicuously.

Matthew's dominant interest is Jesus' authority. His omission of details found in Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8: 43-48), serves to highlight the person and authority of Jesus. Note the woman's expression of faith, v. 21, witnesses to Jesus' extraordinary authority ("If I only touch...."); and the actual healing takes place "from that moment" when Jesus addresses her, v. 22, rather than from the moment when she touches him, v. 20 - which underscores the fact that the woman's faith is the instrument of healing, not the cause. It is Jesus' authoritative pronouncement about her faith that saves. Jesus cleanses the defiled one, rather than being himself defiled by the touch of the unclean (Matthew 8: 2-4).

Pastor Collins’ message declares the importance of personal faith and its different types.

1. Connected Faith – The experiences of others or testimonies of fellow believers.

2. Textbook Faith – Faith demonstrated by biblical characters, David faced the giant Goliath; Abraham left his home for the land of promise and whom God made the father of many nations; Daniel continued to pray to the God of Israel: Moses by faith went to Egypt; and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, would not bow and worship the idols. The scriptures are full of men and women of faith.

3. Personal Faith – What God has done for you—delivered you from drugs, and alcohol? Has He healed you? Has He been you lawyer in a courtroom?

The grace and love of God is not about us, it is all about God. It’s about God and what He had done for us. Jesus shows us God’s favor in the midst of our failures, which in many cases are self inflected.

To be in line for a blessing, God does not have to call you by name. You do not have to be an upstanding person in the community. All you have to do is have faith. Jesus was passing by on His way to Jairus’ house, when this social outcast, a woman who had spent all of her money seeking out a healing, touched Him.

Faith removed every barrier for this rejected woman. In her desperation, faith drove her to risk deliberately touching Jesus’ garment. In return she received a loving welcome and total healing.

by: b stevenson

A Believer's Blessing

Scripture Reference: James 1: 1-5 (NIV)

Greeting to the Twelve Tribes:
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

Profiting from Trials:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

It’s believed that the author of this book is James the son of Joseph and Mary, who was the half-brother of Jesus. James was the leader of the early church in Jerusalem. The introduction to this letter is very significant. James introduces himself as a servant relating not to his relationship to Jesus through Mary, but the relationship that he sustained after Jesus became Lord in his life.

Secondly, the letter is significant as it relates to the 12 tribes of Israel -- the Christian Jews who were dispersed throughout the world; Jewish believers spread over the world, as the result of many scatterings and captivities and persecutions. And now James is writing to them to encourage them and instruct them.

A constant note throughout the book of James, is that these people suffered because they were Christians. Their sufferings were many: They had lost their jobs; young people had been thrown out of their homes; children were mocked and turned out of the Jewish schools. Furthermore, the Gentiles hated them because they were Jews, and the Jews despised them because they were Christians.

The introduction is also a brief salutation: "Greeting." The Greek translation of "greeting" is "Rejoice!" "Be satisfied!" How could they rejoice in their present circumstances?

Pastor Collins’ sermon “The Believers Blessing,” relates suffering as testing of our faith; and that there is a blessing in our pain and distress. Pastor Collins preached about the faithfulness of God; how God would not allow His people to be tempted beyond what they can bear; and that God would always provide an out -- a way to stand up under afflictions. (See l Cor. 10:13).

In the scriptures, James makes two important points about suffering:

1. Suffering is inevitable.
James writes "Count it all joy when you meet trials."(verse 2) Trials are not optional. Peter tells us, "Don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; so that when He is revealed in His glory you will be revealed also."(l Peter 4:13) Suffering is a normal part of the process God uses to bring us to glory.

2. Suffering is purposeful
Suffering is the testing of you faith, suffering produces dedication, persistence and faithfulness. "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him"(verses 4-5).

God looks at our lives, and moves to complete areas of inadequacies or incompleteness. God in all His mercy and grace, will bring things into our lives that will reveal what we are really like. At that point we will need to lay hold of the resources of Jesus Christ. The Lord will go right through our lives from top to bottom molding and shaping us to maturity.

Christian friends, can you rejoice in suffering? Because you know that God is dealing with an area of your life that needs to be corrected, are you willing now to let God do whatever he wants?

author by: B. Stevenson

There is a Blessing in The Breaking

Scripture Reference: PS 34: 17-19

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

In Psalms 34, Saul was King of Israel. He wanted to kill David. David ran away. Saul followed him. David went to Gath, which was a Philistine city. The king of Gath was Abimelech. He was not a friend to David. David became afraid. He should have trusted in the LORD. He did not, but made a plan of his own. He made Abimelech think that he, David, was insane. For this reason, Abimelech did not kill David. In those days it was of the belife that it was wrong to kill "an insane" person. Abimelech sent David away. He went to a cave in Adullam, which was a few miles away. 400 people went to the camp that David made in Adullum. They were running away from a difficult life in Judah. Today we would say that they were refugees. The story is found in I Samuel, chapters 21 and 22. In Psalm 34 David thanked God that he was safe.

In this 34th chapter of Psalms, David is heart broken, he is on the run from King Saul and is forced to act in a manner not befitting David the king; David the warrior. He did not trust in the Lord to deliver him out of the hands of Saul. He devised a plan of his own which God did not approve of.

Pastor Collins, in his sermon told the church that there in no failure in God. We should trust in the heart of God. A dose of pain, affliction, and loss will teach us to be contrite. David had go through many problems--his son left him; He was sick and his family had all turned away; now he was on the run and hiding in a cave. God had to this for David to be repentant.

David made a personal devotion to God, (Ref. Psalm 34:1-3) He here David praise the greatness of God, promising to keep in remembrance during his whole life the goodness which God had bestowed upon him. David declares, “I will extol the Lord at all time; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice" (NIV). The term soul signifies David's spirit, as if he said, I shall always have ground of boasting with my whole heart in God alone, so that I shall never allow myself to fall into forgetfulness of so great a deliverance."

Verse 3, shows still another fruit which would be the result of David's giving thanks to God; namely, "that he shall induce others by his example to the same exercise of devotion; no more, he calls upon all the godly to unite with him in this exercise, inviting and exhorting them heartily and with one consent to praise the Lord."

As Christians, we should remember that although God governs the righteous, and provides for their safety, we are still subject and exposed to miseries. But being tested by trials, we give evidence of God’s invincible constancy, as our deliverer.

If we are exempt from every kind of trials, our faith would languish; we would cease to call upon God, and our faithfulness would remain hidden and unknown.

It is, necessary that we go through various trials that we acknowledge that we have been wonderfully preserved by God. If this should seldom happen, it might appear to be accidental or the result of chance; but when countless and endless evils come upon us in succession, the grace of God cannot be unknown. David, therefore, admonishes the faithful never to lose courage, for God can as easily deliver us a thousand times, and will never disappoint our expectations.

Prayer #101

Dear Lord, mighty God, the one who has been faithful through all of my ups and downs. Your goodness sustained me and led me all the way through the wilderness of pain, sorrow and derogation.

Heavenly Father, when I came begging to you for help, not as a humble servant; But as one who had fallen short over and over again. You the forgiving God knowing my faults sustained me with all your grace and mercy.

Thank you for loving me and for your protection; even when I was too caught up in the world and its ways, to realize that I was not walking in the path of righteousness. There were many times I did wrong; I turned my back to you; Seeking things that would satisfy the flesh and gain worldly approval.

Thank you for standing there waiting quietly, while I took a path of destruction. And just when I was about to fall off the cliff of ruin; your love and tenderness, shielded and guided me back to a resting place of sweet contentment.

Thank you for answering my prayers, when I came running to you pleading and pledging, loyalty and commitment, only to fall away and become trapped by worldly attractions again. But you Lord has been faithful to me. Thank you for your love and kindness. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen

(from Barb's Book of Prayers written by B. Stevenson)

Women of Change, Compassion and Commitment

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 31:30-31(NIV)

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Chapter 31 in the book of Proverbs is a conversation between Lemuel king of Massa and his mother. She gives him advise as to choosing a good woman.

The Proverbs’ woman shines as an inspiration of encouragement. She is a timeless example of virtue, commitment and compassion. She is a picture of womanhood that reflects qualities which every believing woman should strive for in her personal life, in her family life, and in her missionary life.

The Proverbs woman is very hard to find, her value is more than a rare gem. She has inner beauty and strength of character and moral firmness that is lacking in the vast majority of women,(see Proverbs 31:10).

She is consistent in her commitment, to her family. Her husband and children can count on her. She is not up and down, good one day bad the next. She uses her strength and moral character to be a blessing to her family and community each and everyday, five days from now, one year from now, ten years from now, and all the days of her life. Her godliness is marked with commitment and consistency.

A woman of compassion and commitment works day and night with amazing diligence and fortitude caring for her family. (see Proverbs 31:15)Some women are up late at night pursuing questionable activities, but then they sleep through half the day. However a godly woman is diligent both day and night, and is able to get the necessary sleep, without overindulging in sleep.

The Proverb woman has compassion for the poor and needy and shows her compassion with actions of mercy. She shows love to the poor, not in words but by her deeds and in truth (see 1 John 3:16-18). We are encouraged to plead the cause of the poor (see Proverbs 31:9). In Proverbs 14:21 a benediction is pronounced upon those who show compassion to the poor and help them.

As God’s special people adorn the doctrine of God our Savior by zealously and fervently seeking to please Him in all we do, the Christian women of St Rest Missionary Baptist Church are a shining example of the Proverbs’ woman. We pray for their continued strength.

by: B Stevenson

A Warrior Preaching and Teaching The Word of God

Barbara Stevenson
Remarks for the Pastor’s Anniversary
Sunday, September 20, 2009

Random House Dictionary defines the word Warrior in two ways; the first definition refers to "a person engaged or experienced in warfare." The second is a figurative use of the word warrior and refers to it as "a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics." But today, I am going to take on a literary license and expand the definition to mean a person who shows or has shown great courage, strength and faith in God to face-down and conquer an enemy.

My talk today draws on the scriptures 1Sam.17:49

The 17th chapter of l Samuel, tell us of the classic match up between the Israelites and the Philistines. These two peoples were long-standing enemies who showed up often on the field of combat. For them, the contest was always about one thing: which people would serve the other.

According to Jewish history, the tradition was that battles such as that which was fought between the Israelites and the Philistines, were often decided by having each side choose their bravest and strongest warrior. The two men would then meet between the opposing forces and fight to the death. When the contest was ended, the side that lost would become the servants to the victor.

First Samuel 17:8-9 depicts the accounting of what seemed to be in keeping with the tradition of warfare, but there was one big difference -- the Philistine champion was no ordinary soldier! In fact, the Bible tells us that he was quite and impressive piece of humanity!

This warrior’s stats, according to 1 Samuel 17:4-7 was that he was about 9', 9" tall, v. 4. He wore armor that weighed approximately 175 lbs., v. 5. He carried a spear that was like a long, heavy weaver's beam that weighed 17 lbs, with a spearhead that weighed in at 15 lbs., v. 7. This was no ordinary soldier! Verses 5-6 tell us that this man was covered from head to toe in armor that was made of solid brass. Imagine this 10 foot dude stepping down the mountain across the Valley just as the sun began to climb high against the Palestinian sky. And as the sun hit that brass, he must have looked like some kind of solid gold monster.

Every day for 40 days Goliath appeared before the armies of Israel and mocked them, cursed their God and challenged them to send someone out to fight him, verses 10, 16. He did this every morning and every evening for forty days!

A young man named David, who had already been hand picked by the Lord to be the next king of Israel (1 Sam. 16) was sent by his father Jesse to carry supplies to David's brothers, who were fighting in Saul's army, v. 12-18. When David arrives at the place of battle, he is speaking with his brothers when, all of a sudden, Goliath makes one of his twice daily appearances and repeats his challenge and his taunts. This time, things were going to be just a little bit different!

Like always, the soldiers still panicked and reacted in terror, v. 24; but this time, Goliath and his threats were heard by a young man who believed God!

David took certain steps in setting this situation right that are a clear portrait of the walk of faith that should be exhibited in every pastor’s life. In this lesson from the "Faith Files", David shows us what faith does when faith is faced with giants, battles and obstacles.

David heard the challenge and the blasphemies of Goliath, and when he heard that Saul was going to richly bless the man who defeated this giant, David made up his mind that he was going to be that man.

For Israel, Goliath represented a stumbling block, he was standing in the way of God's business and he had to go! David's faith would not allow him to stand idly by while Goliath defied the God of Heaven!

There is a lesson in this, when the Lord commissions a leader, He places His Spirit within his heart. When one of life's giants appears in a leaders view, there rises up within the leader’s heart a desire to see that Giant fall! There may be those that say the giant is too strong, or that you are unable to overcome it, but while the world and the faithless cry, "God can't!", there is One in your heart Who rises up and declares with all the force He possesses, "God can, God can!"

Pastor Collins, I know you know faith is not content to let the devil, the world, or the obstacles that hinder the work of the Lord, win the battles of life! Faith demands victory over these things.

Therefore we can say Faith reacts:
· Faith reacts by standing when a pagan king says "Bow!", Daniel 3.
· Faith reacts by praying when a pagan king says, "Don't", Daniel 6.
· Faith reacts by preparing for a flood when it has never rained, Genesis 6.
· Faith reacts by letting down ones nets believing solely on the word of Jesus, even when you have fished all night and caught nothing, Luke 5:4-8.

What I am saying is that faith looks at an obstacle and sees an opportunity to be victorious.

As we look deeper into this account, David made up his mind that Goliath had to die, v. 32. When David made this statement, he is immediately met with opposition. First, his brother, tells him that he is just there to show off, to see and be seen, v. 28. Then, when King Saul hears of David's plan, he tells David, that it can't be done because the King surmised that David was just a kid and Goliath was a real man and a warrior, v. 33. However, David did not allow the naysayers to dissuade him from what his heart told him must be done.

Faith had reacted within David and he resolved to do something about the giant!
As a Pastor’s faith reacts and resolves to simply believe God by faith, there will always be that crowd who will boldly say that you can't do it! They'll talk about you behind your back, and sometimes to your face, and say things like, "Who does he think he is?”, or "You know you can't do that!” They might also say things like -- “ You don’t have the money, or the education, or the training."; or "He’s too young, to think he can just follow God like that."

Pastor, don't let that crowd get to you! They tried with David. They even tried with Jesus Christ, John 7:3-6. David prevailed by faith! Jesus prevailed by faith! And you can prevail by faith! When true faith makes up its mind, it cannot be stopped short of victory, 1 John 5:4. You'll always have the can't and the canters, but true faith will win the victory.

When David heard Saul’s objections about his going to do battle with the giant, David began to remember some things the Lord had done for him in his past. I imagine that as David stood and accessed his mind’s file cabinet of the times; he opened the drawer and thumbed through the files until he comes to the letter "G". He opened that file, looking for some information on defeating giants. But, he found the file empty. I would image that if David had been in the computer age, he might have even searched the entire internet to make sure he had all the information needed to face his battle. But putting all that research aside, David remembered a day when a wild lion came out of the forest and attacked his sheep.

David scrolled back through the files until his eyes landed on "L". He opened this file and read: "A lion took a lamb out of the flock: And I went after him and smote him and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. And, the LORD delivered me out of the paw of the lion!" Then, David saw written, "Note to self: Remember, when facing lions, trust God. He always gives the victory! a smile crossed his lips as he remembered a time when a bear came out of the forest and attacked the flock. So, David went to the front of the files to a file marked with the letter "B". He read, "A bear took a lamb out of the flock: And I went after him and smote him and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. And, the LORD delivered me out of the paw of the bear", "Note to self: Remember, when facing bears, trust God. He always gives the victory!

David shared all this information with Saul and said, "Oh by the way, I had better write a little note to remind me of something." he again scrolled back pulled out a folder marked with the letter "G" and wrote, "A giant came down a mountainside one day and attacked the flock of God. I went after him and smote him and delivered the people of God out of his hand. When he arose against me, I buried a stone in his head and then I cut off his head with his own sword. And the Lord delivered me out of the hand of the Philistine. " "Note to self: Remember, when facing giants, trust God. He always gives the victory!

David was determined to defeat Goliath because he was a shepherd of a flock, he was responsible for protecting sheep. When David saw the people being attacked by Goliath, he reacted with the heart of a shepherd.

To you Pastor, let me say that God is still the same God Who stepped out from behind the curtain of nowhere onto the stage of nothing and spoke everything into existence! He is still the same God Who hung the stars in their sockets and placed the planets in their orbits. He still owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He is still the same God Who saved you by grace when you exercised that little mustard seed sized grain of faith. He is still the One Who met that need for you. He is still the One Who has never failed you to this point.

So, today, I say to you, that with God, you are the great warrior, courageous and grounded in the faith and strength of the Almighty. Go forth and conquer .

New Member Tribute to Pastor Collins

I come before you today to honor Pastor Torrey Collins, on his 1st year Pastoral Anniversary.

Pastor, you are the Shepherd of this church and I am a Sheep in your pasture.

When I joined St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church, February 2008; I was broken, batted and bruised. But, through the grace of God and your leadership Pastor Collins, I’ve learned to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not to my own understanding in my trials and tribulations.

In New Members Class I learned the six steps, one must take in accepting Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior.

1. One needs to realize, he or she need to be saved.

2. Believe Christ died for you.

3. Ask for forgiveness of your sins.

4. Turn from sin.

5. Realize God’s love and accept it.

6. Profess Jesus is Lord to others.

I learned from the Senior Mission and Bible Study:
It’s not about us; it’s all about Jesus; for it is not the one who commended himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
II Corinthians 10: 17, 18

In Sunday school I learned:
We must study to show ourselves approved unto God; a worker that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15

In Sunday Morning Worship I learned:
That Satan gets angry when he loses someone he thought he had.
Pastor preached this message on 7/19/09.
I Peter 5:10 & Ephesians 2:1-5

I’ve learned that this joy that I have the world did not give it to me--and the world can’t take it away. I’ve also learned that; Jesus is alright.

After going through the process of studying--fellowship--praying and praising God; I can say under your leadership Pastor Collins, “I have been change.”

However, I am not out of my storm; I am still in a dark room being processed.
As long as I stay under your leadership pastor, I know I’ll come out as pure gold.
Therefore, Pastor Collins, I’m a product of your vision each one--teach one.

Author: Darleen White

Tibute to Pastor Collins

In the pulpit, He is…….

A man called by God to preach the gospel.

A man called to lead the people of this great church.

A man who is NOT perfect

BUT, one who strives daily to walk the life God has laid out for him.

A man not afraid to let his real emotions show.
Nor afraid to publically correct those who’ve done wrong;
not based on emotion and personal feelings, but through biblical teaching.

A man who we all know can preach the word of God;
while he’ll never forgetting to add, the known phrase, “I know, I know, HE’s alright!”

Well, this same man is one who is truly alright with me.
He is one who has made it clear that there is; No Big “I’s” and little “You’s,”
and expects everyone to act accordingly.

He respects me as a person and honors my opinion with respect,
as to the growth of the church.

He is the man who has lovingly labeled me, “His little Evangelist”

I love him because he is a man that although not happy with his past, has used it as a testimony to encourage others and to save many souls.

I love him because he does not pretend to be perfect; But most of all--I love him not just because he is my pastor -- as well as my friend. But because he believed in me enough--to allow myself and my two sisters in Christ; to start a youth ministy that allows for us--the lost generation of the church; to glorify God in a way that is befitting.

A ministry that is composed of sisters who may not always deserve the blessings and opportunities awarded to us, but in recognizing this, one that we lovingly titled;
Product of Mercy.

Who is this wonderful man of whom I speak?

You may know him as Torrey Niquan Collins--but even though a friend, he is my Shepard whom I respect greatly; and because of this respect, he is the man I Proudly call Pastor.

Today, we the members of Product of Mercy, and St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church as a whole celebrate you--Pastor Collins, we pray that God continues to bless and keep you!

To my Church, I would like to leave you with this:

Our Shepherd

The Lord gave us a shepherd,
We're no longer in want.

He helps us find God's green pastures,
He leads us along still waters,
And he is used by God to restore our souls.

He guides us by straight pathways,
Bringing honor to God's name.

When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
We are not afraid because he walks with us.

His teaching and correction comfort and strengthen us.
He helps us stand strong in the face of evil.

He is the oil of healing and health in our souls.
Through him God has overflowed our lives with blessing.

Goodness and mercy are sure to follow us all our days,
And we are secure in eternal life
Because the Lord gave us a shepherd.

-A Pastor Appreciation Poem Adapted from Psalm 23 by Daniel Sherman

Motto: "Until Every Soul is Saved, the Mission Remains"

Author: Eboni Blanche
President, Product of Mercy
St. Rest Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor, Torrey Collins

Give Him This Mountain

Scripture Reference: Joshua 14: 7-12


“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.' [a]

10 "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

Sunday, September 13, 2009, Pastor Ishmael Kimbrough of the Peoples Baptist Church delivered a message, taken for Joshua 14: 7-12. This passage concerns Caleb and his inheritance which was promised by Moses. Caleb was 40 years old when Moses sent him to spy out the land of Canaan. (Moses had also sent Joshua, and only Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report.) Although not being born an Israelite, Caleb never gave in to peer pressure; he stuck with his convictions to follow the LORD his God wholeheartedly.

At the age of 85 Caleb was amazingly vigorous, still able and willing to fight. Caleb's request was, “Give me this mountain.”

In his sermon Pastor Kimbrough, focused on the mountain, and Caleb’s mountain-top experience. Pastor Kimbrough explained that Caleb, by this mountain-top encounter, witness the grandeur, the magnificence, the

greatness, and splendor of the Mountain View. When God meets a person on the mountain top and tells him something, the person is never the same and never gets over the experience. And so it is today, the mountain-top life is the one lovely, full of glory, peace, love and joy in the blessed Holy Spirit.

One beautiful thing about Caleb’s encounter with the mountain, it is that he received this wonderful gift on his 85th birthday. Another thing is the kind of gift Caleb asked for. He surely had lofty desires; he asked for a mountain! During Caleb’s time, a mountain the biggest thing in the world. He did not ask for a molehill, and he did not ask for a beautiful plain; Caleb wanted to get possession of the thing that could be seen from a distance. A plain is beautiful; but it cannot be seen and appreciated unless you are down on it. The little hills are beautiful; but they also cannot be seen from very far away. But when you look at that great old mountain lifting its head above all the country for hundreds of miles around, you are made to stand and appreciate God’s grandeur.

So, we see the greatness of the man's character when we see man’s choices. This is still just so today. You see, when some men make a choice, they choose tobacco; others may choose liquor; some others may choose hogs, or cows or horses; and others, too numerous to mention, make all kinds of choices that go to make up the real character of the man.

You can see the greatness of Caleb when you see his choice. He said, "Give me Mount Hebron," and there the old hero sat on the side of that great old mountain with a sparkling, splashing spring bursting from the mountain side to sing Caleb to sleep at night. Caleb said he got that gift because he wholly followed the Lord.

There is something about Jesus Christ that is elevating and uplifting. You may see a man one week all dirty and ragged, and the next week that same man could give his heart to Jesus, and you will see him with his ragged clothes all clean; you will see a great change in him. He will look like a brand new man; and if you did not know that he was the same person, it would be difficult to believe your eyes. You can see men one week look like a beast, and the next week like a man, and the next week look like a gentleman, and the next week like a saint. You can see that the reforming grace of God has come into that man’s heart and life. He is a delivered man and is now ready to climb the mountain.

Caleb said to Joshua, “Give me this mountain for and everlasting possession.” Are ready for the mountain-top experience?

by: B. Stevenson

I’ve Got What it Takes

Scripture Reference: Matthew 4: 1-10 (NIV)

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test. 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.


The temptation of Jesus begins in Matthew 4:1 and is connected to the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:13-17. Following the temptation, Matthew 4:12 states that Jesus withdrew to Galilee and there began his ministry, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2 "that the people of Galilee would see a great light". By viewing the temptation through the two periscopes of Isiah and Matthew, underscores that the temptation of Jesus signifies the kind of ministry upon which Jesus was about to embark and the manner in which He was to fulfill Gods's purpose in this world.

The accounting unfolds with Jesus departed the Jordan River led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. A the events unfolded it is clear that it is God who is leading Jesus by means of the Spirit. Jesus did not invite temptation, he went to be alone to contemplate His mission and work here on earth. Fasting and praying He braced himself for the bloodstained path he must travel.

Satan knew that the Saviour had gone into the wilderness, and that this would be the best time to approach Him. Satan made his presence known, we recall, he was among witnesses at the Saviour’s baptism, who saw the Father’s glory overshadowing His Son. He heard the voice of God testifying to the divinity of Jesus. Ever since Adam’s sin, the human race had been cut off from direct communion with God; but now that Jesus had come “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (see Rom. 8:3), the Father Himself spoke. God and man had been restored.

Satan saw the he must either conquer or be conquered; and he set out to conquer. He personally conducted this warfare railing with all of his energies against the Son of God, trying to make Christ the mark of every weapon of hell.

Many look on this conflict between Christ and Satan as having no special bearing on their own lives; and for them it has little interest or relevence. But within the domain of every human heart this controversy is repeated. Never does one leave the ranks of evil for the service of God without encountering the assaults of Satan. The enticements which Christ resisted are those that we find too difficult to withstand. God Allowed Jesus to face these enticements to demonstrate His strength of character, and that His character is superior to our. With the gigantic weight of the sins of the world upon Him, Christ withstood the many tests Satan presented, including of the appetite—upon the love of the word---and upon that love of display which leads to presumption. These were the temptations that overcame Adam and Eve, and that so readily overcome us.

The Son of God as the Son of Man took on humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. On man's behalf Christ conquered by enduring the severest test. For our sake He exercised a self-control erthan hunger or death, defeating and overcoming the powers of Satan and the temptations of his world. Jesus was more than a conquerer and with the grace of God, we too can have what it takes.

by: B Stevenson and Joyce Lewis

There is a Blessing in the Fire

Scripture Reference :
Daniel 3:14-24 (NIV)

Beginning with Daniel 3:14... and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."


The events in the book of Daniel is written at a time the Jewish captives of Babylon were in bondage because of their idolatry (see Isaiah 2; 30:19-22; 31:7; Jeremiah 8:19; Ezekiel 5: 1-12; 6:1-10; 14:1-5; 16:15-23; 20:39-40; 22:1-4; 23). Israel was commanded not to make or worship idols, on penalty of death.

Now, with the making of this golden image and the dedication ceremony, three friends find themselves commanded to worship this idol, or die. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were determined to flee from idolatry. These three remained faithful to God and to His law, even when threatened with the fiery furnace. They obey God’s law even when it is life-threatening. They would rather face the wrath of men than the wrath of God.

The three Hebrews, bound tightly and still in their festive dress, had to be carried to the furnace and then thrown in. The fire was so intensely hot that those charged with the unpleasant task of throwing the men into the fire were consumed by the flames which belched from the furnace. These three men did not stand a “prayer of a chance,” unless their God was able to deliver them. They were cast into the top of the furnace, bound hand and foot.

Something puzzled Nebuchadnezzar, when looking into the furnace he saw not three men, but four. More troubling was that the fourth person in the furnace was not like the other three. The king turned to his high officials, who were looking on. He asked them if there were not three men cast into the fire. They wisely agreed. He called their attention to the fact that four men were now in the fire, and one had a god-like appearance. Whatever that appearance was, he knew it was not human and assumed it to be divine.

When placed in a position where we must either obey God or men, then we must obey God and disobey men. If obedience to one of man’s laws would result in our disobedience to one of God’s laws, we must obey God by disobeying men.

The three friends did not believe that faithfulness to God guarantees freedom from suffering and tribulation. We know from the Scriptures that those who would live godly lives should expect suffering and tribulation (see 2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 11 and 12; James 1:2-41 Peter 2:18-25; 41-19).

While these men bore witness to their faith by what they refused to do, God’s power was most dramatically demonstrated in the fire. When Christians suffer well, the world takes note that the faith of the believer is not a fair-weather faith. Suffering is the opportunity for God to bear witness through us.

Lastly, suffering is a beneficial experience because it purifies.

The enemies of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were shown the folly of their own “faith” and the power of the God of the Jews to preserve and deliver them.

Deliverance comes from God, to the people of God. Deliverance is complete. It will keep us through the fire of tribulation and adversity.

by: B Stevenson and Lillie Jackson

I Am the One

Jesus and the Ten Lepers

Scripture Reference: Luke 17: 11-18 (NIV)

11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" 14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. 15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"


Jesus and his disciples are on the move. Jesus is moving the focus of his ministry south from Galilee, getting closer and closer to the final confrontation in Jerusalem. (“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51 NIV) Here Jesus is traveling in the border area at the southern extremity of the province of Galilee, and at the northern end of the area where the Samaritans lived. Luke reminds us that this took place in a racially-mixed area.

Leprosy in Biblical times was a terrible thing. It was considered incurable, and those diagnosed with leprosy were banished from society. They were treated as outcasts, like many who have AIDS today. They were required to live outside the city in leper camps (read Num 5:2-3) and were to cry out to warn others to keep away from them as they walked the streets (read Lev 13:45-46).Jewish practice prescribed that while lepers might attend synagogue, they must be the first to enter and last to leave, and they must stay in a special compartment to isolate themselves from the other worshippers.

Pastor Collins, characterized leprosy as a deadly, dogging, demoralizing illness. Being just outside of the village would be common, since the lepers probably obtained food from family members or those in the village who took pity on them. They had no land to till, and no livestock to look after, which left them dependent upon others.

The questions were asked, “Have you ever been bound to a place where you could not see Christ? A place where you had not money or food, and were considered low class? A place where people looked at you with disdain, because you were not on their level?” Pastor Collins’ sermon he speaks of the church as a hospital, where the spiritually sick come together and pray with each other seeking Gods’ grace and mercy.

The lepers asked for pity, the phrase "have pity" means to be greatly concerned about someone in need, 'have compassion/mercy/pity' for someone. “As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance, and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" (Luke 17:12&13 NIV) They didn’t ask for healing but for pity. They asked for whatever Jesus might give them -- food, clothing, shelter, whatever he decided to offer. They knew Jesus' reputation for compassion. But did they really ask for and expect healing? The scripture doesn't indicate so.

When Jesus told the men to go to the priest to prove that they had been cleansed, it is clear that Jesus had acted to heal them. The request calls for faith; since the men must turn and go to the priests without having first experienced the healing.

There are several points in the lesson of this healing: (1) God's mercy should yield thanksgiving. (2) God works through Jesus. (3) Getting close to God is a matter of trusting him. One who seems far away can really be near. (4) The outsider, the foreigner, is the most sensitive to Jesus in this story. Those who respond to God may not be the ones we expect to respond. (5) God's blessing can be appreciated or underappreciated.

Jesus highlights the last point when he asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?"(Luke 17:17 NIV).The group of lepers were in all probability united by their disease despite deep divisions of ancestry, religion, and history. But the Samaritan was the only one to offer thanks. Life's real blessings are not valued, while things that cannot really bless are assigned worth they do not really possess. Many time our families and friends, and more important, the God of life is underappreciated, taken advantage of or ignored--not necessarily to their detriment, but always to ours.

There is one other lesson in the exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan man. God's grace, even though it is extended to all, does not mean that all gain salvation. "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:11-12 NIV). Christian friends, can you truly say “I AM THE ONE?” God blesses humanity in a general way, but only the responsive who appreciate what he has done in Christ receive his full blessing and acceptance.

by: B Stevenson

Neighbor Holler Until You Get It

Jericho

Scripture: Mark 10:46-49

In the book of Mark, Jesus was constantly doing something. The Gospel of Mark emphasized the super human power of Jesus. Christ is presented as God’s Son in action. This book tells more of what Jesus did, like filming a movie Mark rushes from one dynamic scene to the next.

In the first twenty verses of chapter one Jesus is baptized, tempted by the devil, and begins His ministry; teaching, cleansing and healing. The second chapter of Mark is filled with many miracles, for example, in verse 25 he rebuked an unclean spirit. Quoting verse 34,“and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.” In chapter 4 Jesus calms a storm. --“And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, Be Still and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39 KJV).In Chapter 5 he healed the Geraseme Demoniac, the woman with an issue of blood and raised Jairus’ daughter. All throughout the book of Mark Jesus teaches in parables and performs marvelous works.

Pastor Collins chose the Mark 10:46-49 to frame his message on Sunday, August 16. “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” (Mark 10: 46-49 NIV).

The first three gospels of the New Testment gives an accounting of the healing of the blind man on the road leaving Jericho. Bartimaeus, was the blind beggar and son of Timaeus a blind man; which made the case worse, and the cure more wonderful.

Pastor Collins explained Bartimaeus was the son of a blind man going through a generational curse past down by his ancestors. He cried out to the Lord Jesus for mercy; “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David.” Misery is the object of mercy, his own miserable case he recommends to the compassion of the Jesus, Son of David, of whom it was foretold, that, when he should come to save us, “the eyes of the blind should be opened.” (Isa. 35:5) In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should look to him as the promised Messiah, the Trustee of mercy and grace.

Bartimaeus spoke up for himself; this is what happens to Bartimaeus when he speaks out. He is sternly ordered to be quiet. So what does he do? He cries out even more loudly. "Have mercy on me," he tells Jesus. Through his courage the blind beggar was healed. Bartimaeus faith was so strong that it allows him in the presence of Jesus to step outside social boundaries.

As a beggar and a man with a disability, Bartimaeus shows enormous courage. Pastor Collins instructed the church never to allow your shortcoming to keep us dependent on the charity of others. The blind beggar missed Jesus going in to Jericho, but on the way out of the city even in blindness, Bartimaeus’ faith allows him to see what Jesus is and the power he brings.

Faith is an important part of our existence. Bartimaeus could not see but he could hear and speak. As believers we should know how to pray and how to praise. God does not let everything in our lives breakdown. Satan took the eyes but not the tongue. From this scripture reference for the sermon, we are reminded that God is with us even in our most difficult moments--even with the social outcasts, and the beggars on the roadside.

Christian friends, it is not about where you come from, it’s where we are going. "Be of good comfort, rise, he calls thee; and if he calls thee, he will cure thee." Note, the gracious invitations Christ gives us to come to him, are great encouragements to our hope. And if we shall come to him, we shall have what we come for. Let the guilty, the empty, the tempted, the hungry, the naked, be of good comfort, for Jesus calls them to be pardoned. To be supplied, to be filled, to be clothed, to have all that done for them, which their case calls for.

Author: B. Stevenson

When there is Agony in your Garden

Scripture Reference: Matt 26: 36-41

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)


In this scripture Jesus’ agonies in Gethsemane were characterized by sorrow, suffering and submission. He was sorrowful because of the toll that sin had taken on the human race; he suffered because he accepted the guilt of all humanity; his submission to the Father’s will meant that unity of the Godhead would be temporarily disrupted. Gethsemane provided a quiet place where Jesus and His disciples could pray and meditate.

Peter, James and John, the three chosen for the more intimate view of Christ's agony, had previously enjoyed a closer proximity than the others at the raising of Jairus' daughter, and upon the mount of transfiguration. Those three disciples were best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith beheld his glory. “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.” (Matt26:37 NIV). Gethsemane means the “olive press,” The Garden of Gethsemane included and olive grove. The association of Gethsemane with the process of crushing the olives in order to obtain the oil reflects the excruciating, agony which Jesus experienced there.

In Pastor Collins’ sermon he proclaimed that Jesus came to deal with the sin in our lives. He did not come to give us luxury but, He came to give us salvation. Strength comes from suffering or experiencing a breaking down, the more we suffer the more we lean and depend on God. Complete change is between the believer and God. Just as the olives are crushed to produce oil, when God crush us He sees something new in us.

There are many fair weather Christians, our thermometer goes from hot and fiery to cold and dark. This you can tell by our appearance. When Life is good, when we have money, when everything is good at home, we come to church smiling. Satan knows both our weaknesses and our strengths. And he often tests us in our strength to make us fall. Where we are strongest we are often over-confident and unprepared and let our guard down. Just as Peter was passionately loyal to his Master, but he was unprepared for the test that was to come. Peter declared to him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."( Matthew 26:33-34 NIV)

When things are not good we take it out on God and the church. Believers should never allow circumstance to prevent us from receiving a manifestation. What do we do when there is pain in our garden? Are we too busy looking at the miracles instead of the mission? We cannot help someone in their weakness and failure until we have suffered similar trial and shame. "Because he (Jesus) himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18 NIV).

God will bring you through; He will pick you up and turn you around.

Do you know Him?

Have you Tried Him?

Isn’t He alright?

Author: B Stevenson

Thank God for Another Chance!

Scripture Reference: Psalms 51:1-3 and 7-11

The spirit was high Sunday August 2, as Pastor Collins read from the book of Psalms 51: 1-3 and 7-11, anchoring his sermon. This scripture is a Prayer For Spiritual Cleansing. This is one of the greatest passages in the entire Bible concerning confession and forgiveness. It was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently has her husband Uriah killed in battle (ll Samuel 11:2-12:14). David’s repentance included: (1) a godly sorrow for his sin (ll Cor. 7:10-11); (2) verbal confession; (3) a turning from sin, a renouncing; (4) forgiveness; (5) restoration to God’s favor; (6) rejoicing in salvation; and, (7) a willingness to testify to others about the grace of God.

Pastor Collins’ sermon conveyed a picture of David as being “a man after God’s own heart.” “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own Heart, which shall fulfil all my will”. ( Acts 13:22 KJV) The question was asked… How can David be called a man after God’s heart; why not Enoch or Jude? David had too much blood on his hands! So much so that God would not allow him to build the temple. Remember, David was a warrior, murderer, and an adulterer. “David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: 'You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.” (l Chronicles 22:7-8 NIV)

David crossed the line; he broke God’s law going beyond the limit; but being convicted of his sin, David poured out his soul to God in prayer -- praying for mercy and grace. Pastor Collins' illustration was that of God having two hands -- one sorrow, and one mercy. God chastise with one hand, and with the other never complaining, He gives us grace. Mercy is God holding back what we deserve. Grace is God giving what we do not deserve. I am what I am only by grace.

In the church today many believers tend to think that the act of adultery is the only sin. We often overlook and excuse how we murder character with lies, jealousy and deceit; and how we commit fraud, cheat and steal. However the true believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; Pastor Collins explained that once saved we are never unsaved no matter what you have done.

We are all sinners and on the strength of our lives deserve nothing but God's judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy His favor. David’s request of God was to ”blot out all my iniquities,” (Ps 51:9 KJV). In his sermon, Pastor Collins put it this way… “God takes us, washes and cleanse us whiter than snow!” “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23 KJV) God through His grace and mercy erases the lines that we as captives to sin have crossed and gives us a new line.

Thank God for Another Chance! It is the blood of Jesus that makes us clean, only God can create a clean heart; " therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17 NIV).

Author: B. Stevenson

God Has the Last Word

Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 5: 6-11

Sunday, July 26…Pastor Collins began his message by singing the refrain for a familiar hymn written by Annie Hawks in 1872. It goes something like this… “I need Thee, oh, I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee”

In his message, Pastor Collins proclaimed that our total existence is dependent--on God, every hour, minute and second. All hope and faith is reliance in Him.

Pastor Collins explained how the church attempts to deal with church work, using antitypes or symbols of salvation. Forgetting the real reason of what Christ’s death, burial and resurrection symbolizes. In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter writes of baptism as being used as an antitype of salvation. In reality, baptism does not refer to water at all, but rather to the ark in which Noah and his family found their salvation through the water. Baptism is therefore a symbol of having been rescued by God through our voluntary entrance into the ark of His salvation. That said, the physical act of baptism is not the important thing, but rather what baptism represents -- our death unto sin and our resurrection unto newness of life.

We as Christians should understand that there is no growth in just going to church. However, allowing the word of God to control us and direct our lives is how we realize growth. Above all, be clothed in humility, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6 NIV)

Our biggest problem is self, what we let occupy of minds. We should always remember that as well as God knows us, Satan also knows us too, and he will attack us at our weakest moments. The scripture directs us to be sober, and be vigilant, in faith. Pastor Collins simply explained it as being “self defiant”; thinking rationally, and not being foolish in our pursuits.

Take appropriate steps to make certain that we do not stumble. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Eph 6:13-15 NIV)

Friends, God made us who we are. God gives us what we need. And, by God’s grace we are saved. Cast all your cares and stand firm in faith. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:3 KJV)

Pastor Collins concluded his sermon with a quote from Civilla D. Martin’s hymn – God will Take Care of You. “Be not dismayed whatever betide God will take care of you, Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.” The message in Martin’s hymn is reinforced by Isaiah 41:10(NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Always remember, God Has the Last Word.

Scripture Readings: 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Author: B. Stevenson

Convicted to Stand in the Midst of Crises

Elijah Prays for the Drought

Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:1-3

Sunday July 19, the afternoon service was charged with the spirit, when Pastor Collins, delivered the message “Convicted to Stand in the Midst of Crises.” Here are some of the highlights from Pastor Collins’ sermon.

The word “convicted” is usually associated with someone being found guilty of a crime which could lead to a prison sentence. However in Pastor Collins’ sermon, he associated the term with Christians who are “convicted” to please God; that is, those who can be called friends of God. Men and women chosen to work through a difficult or painful situation, and are convicted to take a stand in the midst of their crises, convicted to take action that must be taken to avoid a complete disaster.

God looks for people who are convicted to take a stand when something very important for the future is about to take place.

The Bible scriptures are replete with examples of those convicted to carry the message and live for God. For example: The Apostle Paul said, “For I am convinced (convicted) that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8:38-39 NIV

Moses was convicted to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and to carry God’s message to Israel. Here is what Exodus 19:3-8 NIV tells us. “Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel. You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, We will do everything the LORD has said. So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.”

Other examples include Jacob, David, and Abraham, who were all chosen by God to carry a message and fulfill a promise.

Pastor Collins, relayed the events in the book of I Kings how Elijah warned Ahab the ruler of Israel of a drought. Elijah had already acquired a reputation which seemed to have had an effect on Ahab, especially causing Ahab to take the prophecy of the drought seriously.

Elijah was the man whom God raised up at this critical time, when the worship of Baal threatened the very existence of worshiping the Lord in Israel. Elijah was convicted to be a voice to the prophets. Convicted, Elijah prayed for rain, and there was rain. Convicted, Elijah never stopped praising God, and God’s promises were fulfilled.

Christian friends, ask yourselves…Are you a “Friend of God”? God gave us His best -- His only son to die that we may live. So I ask… Are you convicted? When was the last time you walked and talked with God? Have you been found guilty of praising the living God?

Think About It!

Author: B. Stevenson