Sunday, July 15, 2018

What's in a Name?

God is Eternal

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD the God of your fathers —the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob —has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Exodus 3:14-15

First names, middle names, surnames, nicknames– we all have them, but at the end of the day, what is really in a name? Our names are how we are referred, but more than that, our names are synonymous with our reputation and character. But we also know as our relationships deepen and people get to know us better, it is in our nicknames that our character is truly revealed.

Historically, the manner in which people called on God was very formal. Then one day, God introduced himself to Moses at Mount Sinai making the relationship very personal. God said you are to call me “I AM”. I AM meaning I am always present, I’ve always existed, and I am longing to have you know me intimately, to trust me, confide in me and walk with me. The great I AM has made an incredible offer to know Him through His Son Jesus – will you take God up on it?

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:27

Because God is eternal, through Christ, we can always experience God’s presence

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Independence Day

God is All Powerful

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

With 4th of July approaching, we are all reminded that we live in a wonderful and free country. Our constitution provides each American with an abundance of civil liberties, but are we truly free as individuals? Each day we are faced with temptation and while we have the freedom to make a choice, do we always choose what we know in our hearts is best?

The Bible tells us we can not be truly free until we have made Christ the Lord of our lives. Because of our sinful nature, we do not have the ability to resist temptation in our own strength. We may be able to withstand a persuasion for a time being, but not forever. However, with Christ in our hearts, we are given the power to be free from all sin if we are willing. Yes, our country grants us many freedoms, but our own hearts will never be free without surrender.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1


Because God is all-powerful, with Christ we are set free from temptation