Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

As we read through Titus 3 we recognize there is definitely a calling on our lives that becomes very evident once we invite Jesus into our hearts and truly decide to live for Him. “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3, 1-3)

At one time we too were foolish, defiant, deceived and confined by our flesh. But when the compassion and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His grace and mercy. So, now as Christians we need to recognize our inheritance is no longer here. We need to learn to walk submissive and ready to do good, even when others are violent and unjust towards us. While it is a difficult lesson for us because violence and injustice stir up the heart, try to remember that the injustice others are doing is sin, and that we also were formerly its slaves. Remember, grace alone has saved us, and according to that grace we should also show that towards others.

I once heard a great quote that reminds me of the difference of our lives BC (before Christ) and now WC (With Christ)…
“If the Lord awakens the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.”
                                                          Author – Unknown


Be blessed and have a great day my friends,
Pastor Jason



Next Reading: Isaiah 4-5; Psalms 115; Jude

Prov 4-6; Romans 8

 As we read through Proverbs 4 there is a main theme we can see here and this is that the condition of our heart will effect everything else in our lives. Things like putting other people before ourselves, living in wisdom & staying focused on the Lord are all sighted here in these scriptures. The condition of our heart and the choices we make will all culminate in the direct outcome of our spiritual lives.. "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

Take a look at our world; I would say many of us have car alarms (most cars come with them built in these days)  yet a car alarm only works if we respond to the sound of the alarm. Sometimes those things will go on for hours without anybody even turning a head. How about our spiritual alarms? Shouldn't we be even more sensitive to the alarms that go off inside us? That still small voice. Isn't there more importance in these eternal matters than the physical property we have? Having all the wisdom of Solomon doesn't help if we don't listen to the alarms going off. What comes to mind here is; "discernment" - the ability to determine and choose the good from the bad, the right from the wrong.

While as infants we lack discernment, as we grow up we develop this trait. Sometimes as adults even though we have developed discernment and can clearly speak to friends about the choices they should make we still have a hard time "discerning" what is good for our hearts.

Consider this... If you have alarms going off, maybe even some that have faded to the background because you have ignored them for so long, consider listening a little more carefully. Take the triggers of those alarms and present them to God. Bring forth a repentant and broken heart. Let's ask Him to create in us a "new heart". Let's place our hearts at the foot of the cross  and experience the forgiveness God purchased for us there. Then, let's watch over our hearts with all diligence; because from it flow the issues of life.


Blessings my Friends,
Pastor Jason

Next Reading: Prov 7-9; Romans 9

2 Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving-kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.” Psalm 51:1

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:12

In this portion of scripture, a Psalm of King David, written after Nathan the prophet confronts David in regards to the adulterous affair with Bathsheba, we read a heart rendering story of sin and the damage it brings to the spirit. If any of you have ever doubted God’s reasoning for acknowledging David as being one after His own heart, I think we can find somewhat of an answer in this portion of scripture. Unlike his predecessor, Saul, who acted arrogant and dismissive at God’s rebuke, David comes as an open book before his Redeemer. “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin [is] always before me.” (Psalm 51:3) Over David’s life, we see that his relationship with the Lord turns to honesty, openness and confidence in God’s transforming work in his life. David comes repeatedly to the grace of God for overflowing life and renewal, even in the midst of complete spiritual desolation. “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me [by Your] generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:12) When David prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” (Psalm 51:11), the word used for create is the Hebrew word, “bara’,” which means to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject), of heaven and earth, of individual man, of new conditions and circumstances, and of transformations. This is the same word used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created…” David understood and trusted in God’s miraculous working power that from nothing God could and would restore completely the repentive heart. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:18-19) Oh how beautiful is the working of God’s grace. I am so thankful that in my life the Lord has begun a good work in me, as David trusted, and that He will finish it toward His glorious end, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Phil. 1:6) and “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Be blessed today…
Carol Danna

Next Reading: 2 Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24