COM Newsletter - March 2021
INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT
It has been a little over a year since COVID-19 began to take hold as a worldwide pandemic. It has changed so many aspects of our society that I would be remiss to attempt to include the half of it in this short article. Racial issues and political unrest beg the attention of even our young children. As my eleven-year-old nephew recently relayed some of the conversations his classmates were having at school, he threw in his two cents by saying, “Ah, forget about it! You’re just repeating what you’ve heard from your parents.” Is it possible to learn from this? Aren’t many among us just spewing what we have heard from the media? From the right? From the left?
Cities are left in shambles, families and churches divided and one can’t help but recognize that there is a larger agenda at work. Anger, hatred, and fear is permeating every corner of our country and is impacting the world at large. The world is becoming increasingly divisive and is rapidly becoming a darker and darker place. Evil prevails and apostasy is rampant even within the church. Fear has become a daily experience for many.
The good news is that God is with us and His Word has forewarned us in Daniel 12:1 about a time of trouble such as has never been since there was a nation. That time looks to be rapidly approaching. What will we do as things continue to heat up and persecution becomes a worldwide reality to the chosen of God? Will we be faithful or fearful?
The Bible says in Luke 21:26, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Jesus revealed in John 16:1 some important insight, when He stated, “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” We are certainly to be God’s watchman sharing the everlasting Gospel and the warnings given in Revelation 14 but we ourselves are not to fear nor be offended. Isaiah 41:10 states, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” Further, in giving us the great commission to go therefore, and teach all nations, Jesus boldly finished His instruction to us in Matthew 28:20 with an encouragement stating, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
When faced with trials in their desert wanderings, the people of God repeatedly murmured and complained about their circumstances rather than trusting in the God of heaven that had led them in mighty and miraculous ways. They went so far as to blame God and Moses for the difficulties that they had too often brought upon themselves. God help us!!!! There are too many times in my life when I have done the same. To quote from the book Patriarchs and Prophets, “By continually dwelling on the dark side of their experiences, they separated themselves farther and farther from God.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p.428.1) I don’t know about you, but like the Israelites, I believe we are far too close to home for me to allow myself to indulge in this kind of thinking. The remedy then and now is to “look and live”. As John 3:14-15 says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Our way may be rough and our companions few. As individuals and as a ministry, persecution is inevitable if we remain true to God. My journey and yours, has started in the same way that God has ordained that it should end. We must continually look up and live.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
Q&A
Question: How do we as a church relate to those identifying themselves as gay Christians but not living the gay lifestyle?
Reply: In short, we are to love them unconditionally; pray for them without ceasing; welcome them into our places of worship as souls needing salvation from sin, just like anyone else; accept them into the school of discipleship on condition of their willingness to be transformed into the image of Christ, as with all sinners (Romans 12:2). However, baptism and membership should be reserved for those who are willing to “bring forth fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
“Fruits meet for repentance,” according to the dictionary, means, “to respond to a situation with a particular type of behavior.” The Bible calls for acceptable fruit, suitable fruit, demonstrating transformation of character and lifestyle. The church and the world need to see a change of course in one's life before bringing that person into church membership with voting rights and eligibility to hold church office.
If a person wants to identify as a “gay Christian,” then where is the evidence of discipleship, and a willingness to accept reproof, correction, and instruction from the Scriptures as found in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17? If a person identifies as a “gay Christian” not practicing the gay lifestyle, then why identify as gay?
Actually, the term “gay Christian” is an oxymoron. It makes no more sense than the adding of any other prefix or qualifier to the name Christian such as incestuous, polygamist, sex offender, pedophile, drug addict, alcoholic, smoker, kleptomaniac, liar, ad infinitum.
Q&A text taken from:
TESTIMONY
WHAT IS A PENNY WORTH?
Many years ago, after much time of Jesus calling to my heart, I got on my knees before the Lord. I started attending church services, and this particular service stands alone in my mind as the one in which I gave myself completely to God. The sermon that day has made a lifelong impact and very frequently enters my thoughts. As I share, you will understand why. Oh, how I wish I had written it down at the time so that no detail would be lost, but alas I did not. I even searched the web and found similar stories, but could not find this one, so I will share with you just now as my memory recalls.
What is a penny worth? Not much, you would probably say. Well, by the world’s standards I would openly agree with you. A penny has been used by many and valued by few, if any. What about the ones you see on the ground…in the parking lot, in the marketplace, or on the street? Do you pick them up when you see them or leave them there? One could argue that they are unsanitary, even filthy. How many cars have run over them or feet tread upon them or worse? Besides, what can you buy with a penny? A quarter, maybe, would be worth your time. At least, you can use it in a vending machine, but a penny??? It just isn’t worth it. Can you imagine a successful business executive dressed in a fine suit stopping on a crowded street to stoop down to pick up a penny out of the dirt? What would people think?
It was not my habit to pick up pennies off the ground. As a child I had, but somewhere in adulthood, I realized that this endeavor was just not lucrative. After all, I was a busy man, and as has been established, a penny just doesn’t hold much value by today’s standards. Well, all that changed one day. I was out shopping with my wife and while approaching the store, I noticed a penny on the ground, just on the edge of a mud puddle. I felt compelled to pick it up for some reason, but wasn’t sure why. I quickly staunched the urge and walked on by. We did all our grocery shopping and upon returning to the car, there it was again, seemingly begging me to pick it up. This time I stopped and hesitated. I was arguing within myself about how ridiculous I was being in thinking so much over a little valueless penny. Besides, this one was especially dirty, as every car that passed splashed more of the nasty water on it and there it lay wet and dirty. It was then that I heard God speaking to my heart…but it IS of value, pick it up. Ok Lord, I thought as I bent over to pick it up. I don’t understand, but I will heed your voice. It seems that after that, I began to see pennies everywhere and after a few weeks I had a growing collection.
Now let me tell you about a woman I met. By her dress, she was, or appeared to have been a prostitute, though she must have easily been in her mid-forties. No one paid much attention to her. By societal standards, she was looked on with contempt, if noticed at all. Though apparently used by many, she wasn’t valued by any. She was used up, yesterday’s news. She was alone in the world, unloved and ignored as worthless. As I pondered this figure before me, it was as if I could see her whole life. I stood with pity and compassion as I beheld the scene of people coming and going walking by her without a thought or a word.
God stirred my heart and I was compelled to see what no one else saw. I saw how valuable this precious woman was to the Maker of all things. I pictured our Savior on the cross of Calvary bleeding and dying so that this beautiful soul might understand how very much He loved her. Though others only saw a wasted life, God saw His cherished treasure worth all the agony and pain He suffered upon the instrument of His torture. With godly love welling up in my heart, I approached her. After introducing myself, she told me that her name was Penny. Folks, tears began to flow down my face. Can you imagine my surprise upon learning her name… knowing that God had been preparing me for this special meeting? What an AWESOME God we serve!!! I poured out the Gospel to her and Penny’s heart responded. He had been preparing us both! She accepted Jesus Christ into her life that day! Congregation, how many Penny’s do you and I pass by? PICK THEM UP!!! Still, to this day, I pick up every penny that I find as a reminder about the infinite value of every single soul. God IS love and treasures the seemingly worthless above His very own life.
I have to tell you that this sermon jolted me to the depths. I knew that God had been preparing my heart. I related to Penny and had wondered what the Infinite God would want to do with me after shunning His love for so long. I saw His love in a whole new light and gave Him my all that day. I remember many others responding to God’s call also. I walked down the aisle and was ushered to a side room where a beautiful elderly woman knelt and prayed with me. Oh, what a wonderful Savior!!!
As the scripture says:
“Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
Isaiah 49:15-16
By Lisa Terrillion
THOUGHTS FROM A MOTHER’S HEART
Do you know how much God loves you?
You are His precious child, and He longs to be loved by you. He doesn't condemn you for your sin. He would do anything to bring you back to him.
Jesus laid down his life, so there would be no condemnation. It's your rejection that breaks His heart. He looks out the window for you, he looks out the door for you. He waits for you on the front steps. He waits by the gate. He squints into the distance longing for your return. He remembers you as a baby and how tenderly He held you. He remembers you growing as a child and the sweet delight of your inquisitive voice and your tiny hand in His.
His heartstrings felt the tugging when you pulled away little by little with small indiscretions. He could have forced you to stay, but He loved you more and tried to guide you. His heart wrenched over and over as you determinedly walked away. The world is big and so full of pleasures that lead to decay. Don't lose your way my child for His love is always there for you. Don't forget the road home. When you're tired and the thrill loses its flavor and your friends have betrayed you, He is waiting. At first sight of you, He will run to you. Yes. That's how much He loves you. God will run, because His heart aches to hold you again.
By Sherry M. Lo
SPECIAL MESSAGE
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