church

When Life is Shaken

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

The changes in our government, our way of life and our world have threatened to shake us all to the core. In light of these events especially the news from The Ukraine I was encouraged by what Pastor Rick Warren wrote today.

Everything on earth will eventually crumble—except the church. No business, school, government, or nation will last forever. Only the church will last forever, because it is built by Jesus, and he’s focused on building his family.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (NLT).

Are you feeling shaken? God has a place of refuge for you not only in Heaven but also right here on earth. That place is a family…His family , and when we need them the most we have fellow believers to pray with us, come alongside or even just listen. Have a blessed day no matter what that day is looking like in your part of this planet. Jesus’ promises will still be standing long after every evil plan on earth has fallen!

Celebrating God’s Greatness

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 29:2 ESV

I admit it that the word “Ascribe” in this Psalm is a struggle to grasp. The King James says “give to the Lord” which doesn’t help much either. After all how can we give God something He already has and we do not possess? But when we gather as the body of Christ and worship together a miracle comes to pass. God receives in our praises the glory He already has as we celebrate. Though we can not make God any greater He comes in the splendor of His holiness when we worship. He becomes greater in us together as His people. One family…one church…the Bride of Jesus Christ!

I hope you love this video as much as I did. I have not heard “Awesome God” in quite a while and I love Michael W Smith bringing together so many people to “Ascribe” to the Lord the glory due His name!

The Glory of Unity!

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, John 17:22 ESV

It is quite poplar at church to say that we should be one in the Spirit, but much as I have tried to get a hold on that unity, it seems elusive at best. Singing about it, having communion together and shaking hands after church feels great, but my sense of unity seems to evaporate somewhere in traffic on the way home. Part of the problem is that I along with many of you don’t get the first part of the verse. When Jesus talks about glory, I get this weird image of God giving us a standing ovation in heaven or perhaps Jesus pulling the Father aside and whispering, “See Pete over there – isn’t he great!”

The problem we then run into is that, we try to work up Christian unity by our own efforts. I don’t know how that works for you but the sad truth is that I am totally incapable of doing it. Unity comes only from God’s glory and the most glorious thing that the Father ever gave Jesus, happened at His baptism. Then the Heavens opened and the Spirit descended like a dove. That is a glory that only comes as a gift (Just like Salvation). We can’t work it up, plan it into existence or take credit for it. It is a unity that only comes from heaven and it is God’s gift. To live in His unity and His glory will only happen when we place our life as a living sacrifice on His altar and then wait for His Spirit to come and bring about what only Jesus can do. That way when it happens even for a moment, He gets all power and glory forever and ever Amen!