"and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39) He went on his way with an inward bubbling gift from God that made his eyes twinkle, his feet hop, his hands clap, and his mouth praise his new found God and Savior, Jesus Christ. What he experienced is the same for all who believe in Jesus and we're given the Holy Spirit and His fruit is joy.
When I was a child in Sunday School we were taught to spell joy this way, Jesus, others, and you. It's true, when Jesus is first in all I do, when others come before me, and I'm not forgotten but in my proper place I'm living a joy filled life. Agree? Has this been your experience? Share it!

Yesterday we had two special events at our church, a baby dedication and a baptism. What makes them special is a willing spirit to show a commitment public. Neither of them have any saving merit, yet both of them are connected to salvation. In the first is a parents desire to bring a child up in the things of the Lord so the first thing they will seek is the salvation of their child. The second is a confession of the salvation they have experienced and the desire to walk in the fruits of salvation.
It is encouraging to see things done public. In our days of "personal" commitments it's good to see the choice of public commitment. Agree?

Yesterday our message was from John 21 and was about "the love question". It's an important subject and one I believe is so important in our relationship with God. Yet in our response to the question it's important not only to say to our God often "I love You" but to show it. Peter was to fulfill the role of pastor/teacher which the Book of Acts confirms that he did well.
Saul (Paul) was to be a witness of Jesus before the Gentiles and kings and the last chapters of Acts confirms he did with diligence. He also testified that his motivation was the love of Christ and his life revealed it was his love for Christ.
The good Samaritan displayed his love for a stranger by stopping and helping, taking the time, paying the costs, and binding up the wounds.
So the sequel is obvious, what is the evidence that you love Jesus? Could any open door of need be an opportunity to show that we love Jesus? Could it be something as needed as directing children's church, providing a meal for a brother, helping in VBS, or giving toward the dept reduction?
What's your answer to the "love question"?

On Sunday afternoon we had a commissioning service for Brandon and Megan Collins. It is a great joy in a Church to see young people grow up in our church, be saved, dedicate their life to the Lord, and follow the call of God. Such is the case of Brandon and we are happy with his faithfulness to the Lord.
Although the service was special, joyful, and exciting I was disappointed. Our attendance was at an all time low for a service like this or for any service we have had lately. I hope and pray it wasn't discouraging to them. When we send missionaries from our church they like to know the church is behind them and one of the best ways is to see human bodies.
I could come up with a lot of excuses as to why this happened, one being that it was memorial day weekend and it was time to party with friends and family. Well I can't change what happened Sunday but I can hope and pray that in the future our party time doesn't come before special times like these. But then again, our Lord Jesus said that when He comes back we'll be surprised because we would be partying.

Yesterday's morning message "Change" from Colossians 3 and last night's from John 8 went together even though we were not together as we prepared them. What a truth - come to Jesus and you're life will change! Jesus said to the sinner woman "go and sin no more". To all who follow Him, "put off the old man and all his sinful, fleshly deeds and put on the new man who is made like Jesus" . What a privilege, to be changed and to be like Jesus. Oh, the power of the blood, the plan of our God, the "new man" in Jesus. Are you changed and changing?

Yesterday reminded us that Jesus sought and found an indivisible (John 4). His challenge to us was to do the same, so this sequel is short and specific - who will you seek and find? When will you do it? (the next 9 days maybe) What will you say to this person? (I have found the Messiah would be a good start) Why will you do it? (Because the love of God flows through us and it compels us to go and bring others to Jesus is the best reason). I look forward this Sunday to hearing about the person you are "finding" at the well and meeting them.

In yesterday's sermon just mentioned in passing Timothy's mother and grandmother (referred to in 2 Timothy) and the influence they had on Timothy's life. Yet the thing I like the most about them was the assurance their lives gave to the Scriptures they taught him. In 2 Timothy 3 the Bible tells of the difficult times in the end and how the courage and confidence to withstand the evil days comes from "continuing in the things learned and been assured of, knowing of whom you've learned them" (vs.14-16) I remember my mom and grandmother I am thankful that their lives supported the Bible they taught me. Anyone else had that experience of a mother teaching the Scriptures by her life?