1/24/2012
Does it really matter if I go to church?
The Biblical answer to this question is YES it does matter. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Why would the Bible say that we should not forsake the House of the Lord? There are several key answers to this question.
- It is where you get fed the Word of God (Bible) Mt 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
- It is a command of the Lord Ex 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- It’s where you will grow as a Christian 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
- It’s a place that is separated from the world 2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- It is where you will find encouraging fellowship 1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- It is where you get to serve the Lord Ps 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
As a Christian, you must understand that your attendance, not only on Sunday mornings but in all services is very important. What better way to serve the Lord this year then to be faithful to your New Testament Local Church.
May the Lord bless you as you strive to grow this year.
–Pastor Shepherd
1/3/11
In order for us to have a successful 2012, there are several things that we need to work on from the past year.
We must learn to…
LEAVE THE PAST BEHIND
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
When we pray, we often take our needs to the Lord and ask His help in dealing with them. But then what do we often do? Instead of leaving them with Him, we take them back with us as we finish praying.
We need to learn to leave things where they belong. God wants us looking forward, the devil would rather we look back. But we must ‘press toward the mark’!
We talk about our walk in life; our walk of faith; and walk with the Lord. By it’s very nature, walking means moving forward. And as we move forward, we are always doing two things: We leave one place and go into another.
We as Christians must work on leaving behind 2011 and push forward for Jesus in 2012!
LEAVE YOUR RESENTMENT BEHIND
Luke 9:62
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Each of us resent something. We might resent something we have said and done, or we might resent what someone else has said and done. But along with resentment comes un-forgiveness. And un-forgiveness is a very dangerous thing to keep in our lives.
Mt 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Jesus said that if we forgive, God will forgive us. But if we do not forgive, God will not forgive us. My friend, it does you absolutely no good to hold onto something that happened in the past! Give it to the Lord this year! You are worth so much to our Heavenly Father. Let Him use you in a great way this year. LEAVE 2011 Behind!
God Bless you in this New Year, Pastor Shepherd
12/8/11-Christmas Season
In the opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we see the promise given to Mary that she would bring forth a Son whose name was Jesus.
Luke 1:35
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Here we see the significance of the Babe in the manger. This was the Son of God!
And without an understanding of the virgin birth we can never appreciate the atoning work of Jesus on the Cross.
2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
When Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger, she was presenting God’s gift to the world.
– I read this week that about 33 million American homes will purchase a fresh cut Christmas tree this year.
I want you to know that the most significant tree of the Christmas season is not the one in your family room; it is the tree that was formed into a cross on a lonely hill just outside Jerusalem.
As we approach Christmas day, don’t forget that the true gift of Christmas was Jesus Christ. He came to this world to redeem men from their sins! Be sure to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas.
Merry Christmas, Pastor Shepherd
October 27th- Learning to pray. 
This past Wednesday night I began to preach and teach on the Doctrine of Prayer. When we stop and consider the subject, perhaps many of us have the idea that we know all we need to about this doctrine. The truth of the matter is, we can all learn and mature daily in the communication of prayer.
Even the disciples in Luke 11:1 asked “Lord, teach us to pray”.
In order to have a good relationship with anyone, one must constantly communicate with or talk to that person. Whether it is a husband and a wife, parents and children, or boss and employees, there must be good communication or there will be bad relationships. The same will be true concerning your relationship with God. If you do not let God talk to you (Bible reading) or if you do not talk to Him (praying), then you will not grow in the Lord nor be close to Him. Always remember that the first steps to backsliding are lack of prayer and Bible reading!
So where do we start?
For this week let me give you two points that you can start with. Let me encourage you to take these verses and look them up in your Bible. Let’s work on drawing closer to the Lord Jesus Christ together!
I. PRAYER IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” I Timothy 2:5
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18
The believer does not pray through or to medians, religious priests, saints, or the dead. Prayer to God can only be made through the Lord Jesus Christ.
II. THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF PRAYING
I Timothy 2:1 – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”
A. Supplications- This is praying for a “supply” for others or for yourself. Specific requests.
B. Prayers- This is just generally talking to God.
C. Intercessions- This is praying for others.
Ro 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
D. Giving of thanks-
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4 “
In every thing give thanks…” I Thessalonians 5:17,18
If you truly want to have a good relationship with Jesus, you must learn to communicate to Him. Let me encourage you to talk to Him all day long. He wants that kind of relationship with you. Always keep Him at the front of your mind.
God Bless you as you draw closer to Him, Pastor Shepherd
