The morning message yesterday was taken from the Bible Book of Judges, the up and down story of the people of God. We were reminded how we often find ourselves in the cycle of fellowship with the Lord, then falling away from the Lord, chastening of the Lord, and finally repentance and restoration to the Lord. We have all have been caught in that cycle, some continue in it and have a disappointing Christian life, while others find Romans 6 -8 and break out of it and live a victorious life. The grace that restores is also the grace that triumphs! What is your experience today? Do you agree that they can be continuing victory in our Christian lives? Is there ever a point of no return?

Last night's message was about the angel's answer to Mary's question of "How can this be?". If you recall the Scripture the Angel said "don't worry God is big enough to keep His Word". This awesome truth connects a mighty God who can do anything to the mysterious "I don't know how" events of our daily living. So when we have a word from God, a little faith, and a big problem we have a God big enough to provide a solution even though in the end we can't explain how He did it. (Can you explain to the skeptic the virgin birth?). Has God done anything like that in your life? Share with us by your comment.

Yesterday, after announcements and during the announcements, I thought about the pay of coming to church. The old saying is that they
"pay" me to go to church but it "pays" you to come to the services. The wealth of church going can't be measured in dollars but can be in spiritual profit.
The first is the education of the Word. The training of the believer to be complete, furnished to good works, is the value of the preaching, teaching, and receiving of Biblical truth. Yesterday's messages were just that; for us to see the cross in the Old Testament and to understand the unity of the Trinity in the Scriptures, and to be reminded of the person of Christ in the Old Testament not only improves our witness to the Jews but enriches our lives as well.
The singing is a blessing as it expresses the grace of our heart and the merriment of our life. It also teaches us and encourages us in our walk with Jesus.
The giving allows us to express thanks to God for being a good provider and enables us to be a part of God's work. Remember Ezra 1?
The presence of those of like faith is an encouragement that God is at work in lives today. The smile, handshake, and conversation as we share things in common lifts our spirits.
Some riches money just can't buy but can be ours by a little effort. Sometimes I think we are like the child who chooses the nickle over the dime because it's bigger. When we choose to do something other than come to church; we may have something of value but loose out on the thing of greater value. It pays to come to church, even Sunday night!

It was our joy last night to have the Jacob Brothers with us. They have been singing Gospel music for nearly 50 years. It was a joy to hear some songs of our faith. I saw a lot of smiles afterward and heard a lot of words of satisfaction.
At every concert the old question raises itself, was this edification or entertainment? Is it alright to be entertained? What's the difference?
As I thought about it I tried to understand it this way. If I was entertained, I had a happy, feel good time that lasted, if I was lucky, until I went to bed that night. In the morning I might remember the feeling but few of the lyrics of the songs.
If I was edified I felt good, or maybe felt reproved, corrected and a pinch of guilt and made things right between the Lord and me, and enjoyed the night. The next morning I still had the words of a song in my mind and the blessing continued.
So which is it, entertainment or edification? Both are good, but I would expect something that lingers and lasts is better. By the way this applies to our Sunday worship and the preaching of God's Word , too.
What do you think? Comment please.

Yesterday's message from the Gospel of Mark reminded us of 2 important facts. The first one is that Jesus cares about us and our food needs and the fears life brings. What an encouragement to know that Jesus "feels our feelings" (Hebrews 2:18). It is so good to know that our God understands the hurts of life, that within itself makes a difference. We're not alone in our need of help.
The second one is that Jesus heals, helps, and meets the need. It may be with a simple lunch and great satisfaction or with a supernatural word of His power to still the storm and remove the fear but our Jesus does make the difference. It may not always happen the way we tell Him to do it, or with the means we expect, or in our timetable but He does make the difference by His power. What more could we ask for in our life?
These 2 things are enough to make a Baptist shout!!! AMEN, AMEN!