Ebenezer Congregational

                Church

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14.26

Even though it started a bit earlier this year, our Schools are in full swing at the beginning of September. As a young person, I can remember the flood of feelings attached to this yearly event. I was both excited and troubled at the thought of being back in the classroom. But, regardless of how I felt, the reality was that I needed learning in order to develop into a productive adult. The challenges with me learning had little, or nothing to do with the one teaching, but rather with me thinking I needed no teaching.

As you look into this Bible verse, what should impact you is that Jesus has requested of the Father, is exactly what you need. We need to learn! In order to be a productive Christian I need to come to the Lord in humility, recognizing that I am the student and he the teacher. It is only when this describes our relationship, that the Holy Ghost is able to penetrate our thinking and transform us by the renewing of our minds. Every student begins the year with expectations of graduating from that class to the next. My desire for you, is that you will grow in your understanding of the Lord and his plans for you.

In Christ Alone, Pastor David

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are there in shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3.10

This will go down as one of the hottest and driest summers remembered. The challenges of this kind of weather pattern are immense for all, especially the farm community. Proponents of manmade climate change will surely use this summer as evidence to support their theory and their solutions. On one hand they are correct. The reason we have volatile storms and extreme weather is because man sinned and now we live on a planet operating under a curse. This is the reason for all challenges. What is not correct, is to think we by our own means can change it. This is not to say we shouldn’t be good stewards and care for how we treat the environment.

We need to understand that God is in charge of the weather. He has promised us that everything will be shaken as the day of his return is imminent. We need to see the signs and respond accordingly. You see, The Lord is going to destroy the earth, not man. Man has no ability to speed up the end or to put it off. All that we can do is what Peter goes on to proclaim in the next verse. He asks, what manner of person ought you to be, seeing these things are going to happen? What a profound question to ask yourself today! Luke 18.8 Jesus asks, “Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on earth?” Are you living by the faith in Christ? It is this faith that quenches all fear!

In Christ Alone, Pastor David

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matthew 24.27

The month of June held some pretty spectacular fireworks. We were not in town to observe the storms that were marked with dazzling displays of fire in the sky. Having seen pictures and spoken with eye witnesses it seems it caught and held everyone’s attention. One observer, who is in their 90’s told me they had never seen lightning like that in their entire lives.

Bright lights like that do capture our imaginations. Think about fireworks. This independence day, should we get enough moisture, I’m sure the night sky will draw us to look up and take notice. I have always enjoyed fireworks and while they are active I will be watching. The same is true of electrical storms and even more so.

As I read Matthew’s account of Christs coming, I couldn’t help but think how brilliant that will be. No one will be able to miss it, is the point. Everyone will be fully aware of what is taking place, it will be universal. Sadly however, there will be many caught off guard. Even though they may have been told of His quick return, many will have disregarded the times. This 4th of July as you mark the celebration of independence by watching fireworks, let’s be reminded that there are many still held in the bonds of sin. And the flash in the sky will have a vastly different meaning for them. For whom the Son shall make free shall be free indeed.

In Christ Alone, Pastor David

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honour?

Malachi 1.6A

Fathers Day has at it’s roots the mind of God. Commanded in Exodus 20 and reiterated through out scripture. It is the command that has with it a promise for our good.

The Lord speaks here of an ethic which should be evident in the lives of those who claim to live by the truth. That ethic, what ought to be, is that Fathers are to be honored. Because God himself has declared himself to be our Father. However the Lord then poses a question in the form of the word if. This probing question doesn’t change the truth claim that he is our Father, but points to whether or not he is known in our hearts as our father.

We can never change who God is, but we can and must change our thoughts of him. We must be brought into alignment with who he is. If you have less than honorable thoughts of him, then examination is necessary. The Lord makes it simple in this passage. The point in question is, do you bring your best to Him? The old testament sacrificial system is completed in Christ once and for all, however this should bring a willingness to sacrifice to him. Romans 12.1 makes a large blanket statement that needs to be pondered personally by each of us. Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God.

Think of your life being presented to the Lord, just as the priest would have presented their sacrifices to the Lord then. Are you living your life the best you have for Him. Paul says we are to do this according to his mercies and it is reasonable to do so. He gave his life for you, live your life for Him.

In Christ Alone, Pastor David