Pastor's Blog

Friends,

 I preached a message at CCF today that blessed me. The Apostle Paul teaches us in the book of Romans Chapter 6-8 that sin is always lurking to bring us down. He also teaches us that sin no longer has power over us because of the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary. Christ conquered both sin and death and as we are united with Him, in our salvation, we too can walk in the newness of life. Sin doesn't have to hold us in bondage and we discover through Romans Chapter 6:1-22 that we sin because we fail to practice the following priniciples:

1. Get over our identity crisis. Remember we are united with Christ and we must live in our Chrst identity. When we know who we are and Whose we are, we will not date sin. Princes and Princesses of Kings cannot affored to date below their calling.

2. Leave Dead Stuff Alone. We have to stop resurrecting the pain and issues of our past, which often lead us to sinful thoughts and then sinful actions.

3. Change the scene and the set of our lives. We keep trying to live right but we're trying to live right with the wrong people. Its hard to stay on the path as long as we keep taking people on our journey that don't want to go where we are going.

4. Live like we know Jesus at all times. Our decisions must be filtered through the lense of Christ. Would Jesus do what i am thinking about doing? If not, I better not do it.

Beloved sin does not have to reign in your mortal body. Its often not that sin will not let us go its that we don't want to let sin go.

We've just witnessed the tragic death of Michael Jackosn, who is argulably regarded by many as the greatest entertainer of all time. Even those who didn't like Michael Jackson's music or style would have to admit that his fame was transcending and cross generational. The question that should be on the mind of God's children, is: "where will Michael Jackson's soul rest for eternity?" I've heard many an argument in the last week that Michael Jaackson was in fact saved and is eternally in heaven with the Lord. I am not a hater of Michael Jackson and like many in my generation, I was a huge fan of his. However, I can only look at scripture, which teaches us that we will know them by their fruits Matthew 7:16-20. God wishes none should perish and certainly as a Pastor who preaches the gospel and who has a burden for making disciples, I wish that none would perish. The word of God teaches us, that a Christian will be recognized as a Christian because they wil bear fruit as a Christian. The other thought that needs to be provoked in the hearts of God's people is what profit us to gain fame, fortune, and power but yet lose his soul. (Mark 8:36)

How many Christians do you think go on vacation from God and their Chritianity this year? How many Christians will go somewhere nice this summer, refuse to find a place to worship and fail to leave or send their tithe back to their local church?

Those same Christians would however expect God to be on His job even though they would not. They would expect God's grace, mercy, protection and love.

Ponder this thought: Summer and nice weather does not give us the right to dismiss the work of the Kingdom or our relationship with God. When you go on vacation this summer, don't put Christ at home.

Resurrection/Easter season is certainly my favorite holiday. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the ultimate event in which our hope and faith is based upon. There is no Christianity lest Jesus raises from the dead on that third day. There is no confident assurance of eternal life lest Jesus rises from the dead on that third day. Through His resurrection from the dead, the Lord conquered both sin and eternal death once and forever. He paid the penalty of sin for us, and we those of us who have received Him, as Lord and Savior, are no longer condemned. In this Resurrection season this year I am challenging all of us who claim to be His children, to really think about the awesomeness of our God who paid the price for us that we might have the free gift of salvation and the abundant life. What a mighty God we serve! With the Kingdom in Mind, Pastor David

Right wing conservatives are very critical of Obama in terms of his moral choices. Some question if President Obama is a Christian as he claims. Their argument is how can Obama be a Christian and yet be so liberal in the areas of abortion and homosexuality. Should we separate our Christian beliefs from politics? Is it possible to be a Christian and support abortion and homosexuality? What's God's view on this whole matter? Is God a Republican or a Democrat?  What say you?

You're the CEO of a company, organization or church. You need to build a team of leaders in order to move the company forward. When you interview and make hiring decisions, do you choose talent first or character first and why? In closing, which way do you think Jesus would go?

The Lord has reminded us that we are in spiritual warfare and that we must be on guard at all times and we must put on the full armor (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Many times we are in the spiritual battle but we've left God out of the battle. Epehesians 6:10 advises us to be strong in God's might not our own might. How do you know if you've left God out of the fight? Read the following principles that let you know that you have probably left God out of  the fight:

1. You rarely pray. You're prayer life is so inconsistent  that you don't regularly hear from God nor get direction from God.

2. You rarely experience the joy of the Lord. Psalms 16:11 tells us that in God's presence there is fulness of joy. When God through relationship is not in our presence, you don't experience joy.

3. You constantly have doubt and feel overwhelmed. Overwhelm and doubt are indicators that you're looking at your own devices to handle your battles. Walking with God and letting Him lead creates confidence in you.

4. You don't believe you can overcome the obstacle. Jesus himself calls us overcomers and we miss this fact when we are keeping God out of the equation.

In a day where Pastor celebrities are in, I am grateful that the Lord has kept us. The word of God is clear in that Pastors and spiritual leaders are not just to be talented people but they must be people of character and integrity. Celebrity, fame and wealth should never be the pursuit of a called leader. 1 Timothy 3:1-9 (NASB77) 1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. I am grateful to say that after 9 years in the Pastorate I am not cynical nor bitter, but I embrace and understand the responsibility of Pastoral ministry today than ever before. It's a priviledge and an honor to be chosen by God to preach the gospel and shepherd His sheep.

God is so wise that He knows how to use challenge, trouble and trials to turn His people back unto Himself. The day of prosperity teaching is going by the wayside. In these challenging economic times where people are losing jobs, homes and their dignity, people are running back to God. Its amazing how history continues to repeat itself in humanity. In almost every civilization in history, there seems to be a season of great wealth and prosperity in which the people of God turn from God to materialism and idolatry. After a period of prosperous seasons, that same civilization experiences some sort of famine in the land. I believe wholeheartedly that America is experiencing a modern day famine. All that America has hoped and trusted in is crumbling. God is using today's challenge to get his people to wake up and acknowledge that He is God!