For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:21

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Ps 139:15-16

Every one of us is different, yet so similar when it comes to our desire to be loved and protected.  Last week, we acknowledged God as love and the requirement each of us has to accept Him as our Heavenly Father.  In today’s message, may we go even deeper by sharing with you a comprehensive love letter from the Source of all life. It is written throughout the Bible or what is called the inspired word of God.  We have taken the liberty to identify a number of these nurturing and cherishing nuggets.  Since we were not a mistake and all of our days are written in His Book, then let’s receive this same Author’s love letter as if it were personally addressed…

My Dearest Child ~

It is my desire to lavish my love on you because you are my child, I am your father, and you are my treasured possession who I chose when I planned creation.  I offer you more than your earthly dad ever could, for I am the perfect Father.  Sadly, you may not know me, but I know everything about you.  You see, you were made in my image and likeness.  I am familiar with your ways and know when you rise up or sit down.  I even know the number of hairs on your head.

I have been misrepresented by those who do not know me.  I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. You may not have thought about this, but I knit you in your mother’s womb.  You are awesomely and wonderfully made and my plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

There are many voices you’ll hear but I am your greatest encourager.  I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.  When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.  As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.  One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and take away the pain you have suffered on this earth.

Dear child, I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus.  For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed because He is the exact representation of My being.  He came to show you that I am for you, not against you and to tell you I am not counting your sins.  Jesus died so you and I could be together again.  His death and resurrection was the ultimate expression of my love for you.  I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.

If you receive the gift of my Son Jesus, you receive me and nothing will ever separate you from my living love again.  I have always been Father, and will always be Father.  My question to you is ~ Will you be my child?  Please come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.  I am waiting for you!

Love,

Your Dad, Almighty God                                                                                                                 

1 John 3:1; Ex 19:5; Eph 1:11-12; Matt 7:11; Matt 5:48;  Ps 139:1-3; Gen 1:27; Matt 10:29-31; John 8: 41-44; 1 John 4:16; Ps 139:13-14; Jer 29:11; 2 Thes 2:16-17; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Ps 34:18; Is 40:11; Rev 21:3-4; John 17:23; John 17:26; Heb 1:3; Rom 8:31; 2 Cor 5:18-19; 1 John 4:10; Rom 8:31-32;1 John 2:23; Rom 8: 38-39; Eph 3:14-15; John 1:12-13; Luke 15:7; Luke 15:11-32

I am your Father , and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus. John 17:23

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible clearly proclaims that the God kind of love is everything. Without it, everything that seems valuable to us on the surface… gets reduced to nothing! If we truly expect to be divinely guarded, guided, and governed through this life and beyond, then receiving the love attribute of God is therefore essential.

Henry Drummond wrote one of the best little books ever on this chapter on love entitled, The Greatest Thing in The World.  With a strong background in mathematics and physical science, Drummond takes us into the laboratory as part of his approach. He points to a beam of light that passes through a crystal prism.  What comes out on the other side is a spectrum of colors—red, yellow, blue, violet, orange and all the colors of the rainbow. He then describes how Apostle Paul analyzes love though his inspired intellect to discern a spectrum of love or nine virtues: patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, guilelessness and sincerity.

In Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s commentary on 1 Corinthians 13, he provides further depth into understanding the critical nature of God or His Spirit of love.  To sum it up, he puts it this way: patience alone is zero, kindness alone is zero, generosity alone is zero, humility alone is zero, courtesy alone is zero, unselfishness alone is zero, good temper alone is zero, guilelessness alone is zero and sincerity alone is also zero.  Nine zeros add up to nothing. But, if we assign the number “1” to God’s brand of love and place it at the forefront of the string of zeros, then every zero suddenly takes on meaning and gains value. In this simple example, love is the primary integer that is needed for anything to matter.

Studying God’s love by analysis and logic certainly has its place.  Far more convincing, however, is our inner conviction that God is love, He is who He says He is, and we can have an intimate Father-child relationship with Him.

As our Spiritual Father, we trust He loves us because He sent His beloved Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.  We believe and celebrate Christ’s victorious sacrifice at the Cross and miraculous resurrection.  We welcome and cherish the presence of His Holy Spirit within our heart as personal Savior and Lord of our life.  We live with anticipation of His help to overcome every circumstance in life—no matter how twisted and impossible and senseless it appears to be.

Family and friends, our Heavenly Father is beyond awesome! To be His perfectly natural and thoroughly practical child is our personal and eternal benefit. It is in this blessed relationship that His glory also has the opportunity to flow through us to impact others. So let’s make the right choice. Stick that “1” before our “zeros” and let His amazing love shine!

1 Cor 13:13; 1Jn 4:8; Heb 11:6; 2 Cor 6:18

The world systems mold human behavior by outside pressure.  The Lord changes our nature by inside occupation. Temple Ministry

With a little thought, most of us can recall a personal “mountain top” experience; the kind of occurrence that stands out above and beyond all others. In today’s message, let’s reflect on four significant Biblical “mountain top” experiences that certainly qualify.

Our first peak journey takes us to the days of Abraham when he followed God’s instruction and obediently climbed Mount Moriah to sacrifice Isaac, the son he dearly loved.  We learned then that God was never for human sacrifice, but rather provided an opportunity for Abraham to live out and model true faithfulness.  Abraham earned the title of the “Father of Faith” in not only Christian, but Jewish tradition because God’s loving and caring influence for Abraham and his descendants was the overriding theme. (Gen 22; Gal 3:29)

From there, we climb to Mount Sinai where we find God and Moses in an event of blueprinting moral behavior for God’s beloved people of Israel as they headed toward the Promise Land.  The Ten Commandments were issued by the heart, mind, and finger of God for the loving and caring benefit of His chosen people.  Even though our behavior pattern of disobeying and disregarding God’s commands have characterized us all the way back to the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, His love has never wavered. (Ex 19 &20)

The Sermon on the Mount of Beatitudes, delivered by Jesus, announced to the world that His standard of love was being elevated and repositioned from something external, to one located in the human heart.  The potential of us becoming temples of His Holy Spirit was revealed.  At the height of this mountain, the Ten Commandments were reduced to their Spiritual essence of the moral law of love.  Only God is capable of doing that, as well as providing us with the internal Holy Spiritual power for us to behave accordingly. (Matt 5-7)

And finally, it was on Mount Calvary where the historic Abraham/Isaac type and shadow was fully appreciated.  This time God provided His Son as a living sacrifice to pay for the wages of our sins. It was at this amazing summit where He provided the opportunity for us to see and comprehend the value of real eternal life-where we could observe up close and personal in Whom the power of faith, hope, and love truly resides. (John 19)

Family and friends, the awesome God of Mount Moriah, Mount Sinai, Mount of Beatitudes, and Mount Calvary lives in the valley conditions of our lives, too.  It is in our constant awareness of His presence in our individual lives that we can glow in confident joy and grow in a wholesome and faithful relationship with Him, no matter what. That truth alone qualifies as a fresh “mountain top” experience!

Psalm 16:11; Heb 13:5-6; 2 Cor 3:17

Riches take wings, comforts vanish, hope withers away, but love stays with us.  God is love. – Lew Wallace, author of Ben Hur

These days, if fear was a stock there would be no shortage of investors.  We are at a time and place in our history where there is an eerie sense that something ghastly and/or wicked is about to happen. The form it will take is the only question. Will it be a nuclear war, a financial collapse, a civil revolution, a viral pandemic, a polar meltdown, a meteor collision or some other unanticipated, yet all-encompassing calamity?  Are we destined to just “bear” what seems to be such a dreary forecast?  Thanks be to God, the One ultimately in control, the answer is ABSOLUTELY NO!!!

We know if we always do what we always did, then we’ll always get what we always got.  If our pattern is to fall apart when things around us begin to unravel, then we need to resolve to do otherwise!  The Bible says that God is love and whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God.  It also says that love never fails and has no fear.  As a matter of emphasis, perfect love (the God kind) casts out fear because fear has torment. Like light and darkness, love and torment can not occupy the same time and space.

In addition, the Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of love, power, and a sound mind.  In other words, the fallen world we live in has its inherent tormenting way of conducting business. By His grace, however, God has His way for us to operate as champions within it as well. In God’s Family Business, we have access to His nature; the One that never fails, generates over-coming life energy, and develops a peaceful, joyful, discerning, and creative way of thinking.

In this message, let us get these three things invested deep in our heart: 1) God loved us first and He loved us before we were on the scene.  His love for us has always been, is, and will continue because God is Love. He even died for our sins to prove beyond any doubt He cared for each of us personally.  2)  We are capable of loving Him back with a Spiritual intimacy that His grace not only allows, but encourages.  3)  We are to serve one another with the God kind of love because it’s ultimately practical, it’s part of God’s Kingdom government, and He has commanded us to do so.

Family and friends, let’s know that the same perfect God who etched the Ten Commandments in stone is the same One who is fulfilling His promise to etch His Spirit and moral law of love in our hearts today.  What could be more hopefully amazing or awesome?

So in the midst of His gifting and flawless agenda, let’s have a great week and to God be the Glory!!

1 John 4: 13-21; 2 Tim 1:7; Psalm 91

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Pictured is my wife, Cynthia, standing at the very spot on the Falmouth, MA bike path where she was taken by ambulance to the Falmouth Hospital three months ago.  She accidently fell and dislocated and fractured her elbow in two places.  Here, she is victoriously holding the left arm brace she no longer needs, but was forced to wear during the many weeks of her restoration.  As an aside, after this photo moment, we went on to finish our scenic 22 mile ride.

We are grateful that her strength, flexibility, range, and muscle tone are almost back to original condition.  There is no denying that the quality of her medical attention, the effectiveness of her prescribed physical therapy, and her positive and determined attitude have played a vital role in her dramatic improvement.  Most significantly, however, is our recognition of the magnificent design of our amazing gracious God and Creator who has provided us (Cynthia, included) with life and the capacity to recover at all.   

The Bible is full of physical episodes that lead to the spiritual dimension of origin and life lessons.  Remember the woman at the well?  Jesus took the opportunity to transition from the discussion of considering natural well water to tapping into the “water of life” or Himself as God in the flesh. As her true source, He would never run dry. (John 4)

In Cynthia’s case, the spiritual association we can see here has to do with man’s restoration.  In our beginnings, Adam and Eve sinned and fell.  They were spiritually fractured and led off God’s path. Ever since, we have battled dislocation from God and experienced the resulting condition of a broken soul.  

Jesus said He was “the way, the truth, and the life and that no one could come to the Father (Heaven) except through Him” (John 14:6).  The Spiritual Doctor is the healer of our soul (Jesus);  The Spiritual Therapist would be Love Himself who prescribes the 10 Commandments or practicing loving others as He has loved us.  Most critically, as Sovereign King and Father, He allows us to choose to unyieldingly believe in Him and His power to redeem and restore us or not.  

Regardless of an accident or purpose-driven sin, our Almighty God’s nature is one of love and restoration.  He not only created us, but has provided the way for us to be reconciled back into an intimate relationship with Him; to regain our strength, flexibility, range, and muscle tone.

Family and friends, lifting our medical appliance in the air in victory and going on to ride 22 miles is one sweet accomplishment.  Lifting the One who deserves all the honor and praise, being saved and redeemed from our dislocating sin, and arriving restored into an eternal Heaven is His path for us and quite another!

John 3:16; Luke 4:18-19; John 13:34-35; Prov 12:28

And be not conformed to this world; but by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

Our Senior Pastor recently finished a lengthy sermon series entitled, “Renewing the Mind.”  For many of us, it was like experiencing a healthy pregnancy; it lasted for months and developed like it was intended.  When all was said and done, the “baby” (or series summary) was finally delivered, which left us with something wonderfully alive, beautifully true, personal in nature, and of course, practically challenging. [If any of the details are of interest to you, this great series on Renewing the Mind can be referenced on Faith Christian Center’s (Seekonk) web site. Click on the media button and follow to the FCC iTunes section.]

In today’s message, our attempt is to catch much of the main thrust of what God wants us to know and apply.  Essentially, there is only one wholesome attitude that matters and that’s the attitude of Christ or the Holy Spirit that resides within us. (Phil 2:13)  Unless He’s allowed to work in and through us as He’s promised (for His glory and ours), then the prospect of renewing our mind is outside His purview and simply wishful thinking.  In summarizing, our Pastor discerned five godly attitude ingredients necessary to renew our mind:

1.  Desire:  To renew one’s mind assumes a bulldog tenacity and focus.

2.  Willingness:  Our delight must be to do God’s will and not our own.

3.  Truth:  Unless we are open to what Truth requires, then renewal is perilously hamstrung.

4.  Action:  We are to be doers of God’s word, not students or hearers only.

5.  Enduring Pain:  True followers of Christ must persevere as overcomers in the face of challenges, trials, tribulations, afflictions, persecution and even martyrdom.

The Bible says, “As a man or woman thinks in their heart, so he or she is” (Prov 23:7).  So family and friends, may we take this Attitude to Change message and bring it home to our own heart, renewed mind, and behavior pattern.  In Jesus’ name, may the Holy Spirit work the attitude of Christ in us. May it be perfected in desire, willingness, truth, action, and capacity to endure life’s trials—in His grace, growth, and glorious victory!

Ps 40:8; Lk 22:42; Jn 18:37; Jam 1:22; Gal 6:7-10

The Word of God is the “antibiotic” that seeks out and destroys the viruses that plague the life of the church.  A. W. Tozer – Jesus, Author of our Faith

 I can’t remember a time in my sixty-seven years of life when there were heavier doses of doom, gloom, and despair describing our vital signs in the media headlines. One would have to have his or her head in the sand not to sense we are in serious “trouble” as far as our news outlets are concerned.  Our desire in today’s message is to add some hopeful leaven to what looks like a world of souring dough.

1Timothy 4:8, it says, “physical exercise profiteth little but exercising spiritually profits now and forever.” So not discounting entirely what is going on around us in this physical world, let’s examine some other foundational Biblical headlines and see how the Gospel of the Kingdom of God exudes a supernatural hope into our troubled mix.

Basic to the real Christian view of life and beyond are these following ten scriptural good news flashes. Let’s meditate upon these encouraging, constantly streaming, and unbreakable truths to help us expand our own sense of God’s nourishing influence in our lives—no matter what the world or our own wandering or despairing mind tries to feed us!

 Salvation of God (1Timothy 4:10).

Catalyst with faith and love to mold believers into disciples (1Thessalonians 1:3).

Inspiration to abound, not to abase (Romans 15:13).

Transformation into the likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3).

Redemption of the body and the whole creation (Romans 8:23-25).

Resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6).

Promises given to Israel (Acts 26:6-7).

Enduring virtue (1Corinthians 4 & 5).

Eternal glory (Colossians 1:27).

Eternal life and the inheritance of the saints (Titus 3:5-7).

Return of Christ (Titus 2:11-14).

Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1).

So let’s cheer up by looking up and tuning in to what the Ultimate Source and Author and Finisher of our faith says. The loving Father God we serve sent His Son to earth to shed His blood and to have His body broken as payment for our sin nature.  Please be reminded and grateful that He also has a wonderful plan for those who believe: to provide welfare and peace and to give us hope in our final outcome. (Jer 29:11)  That family and friends is real breaking news!

2 Tim 3:15-17; Phi 4:4-9

 Additional Resource: Fill Me With Hope – Classic Christian Writings

In well done my good and faithful servant, the Lord assesses our journey, not our destiny. Temple Ministry

When one thinks out loud or writes the thoughts on paper, there are risks—especially if the focus is on what God has to say.  In today’s message, I wish to share what is stirring around in me relative to Matt 25:21 (Amp Bible).  His master said to him, “Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much.  Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.”

If you are like me, passing tests, entrance exams, or winning personal, marital, family, social, economic, medical or physical challenges are all worth accomplishing.  If God is real and He is, then passing into His joy forever must stand alone as our ultimate Spiritual assessment.  Sadly, many of us fail to give this point of Truth’s judgment the critical weight it commands.

We encourage you to take time on your own to meditate on the gravity of what is being said here, what it means, and how it applies to each of us, especially you.  As a loving prompt, please consider our little snapshot of this profound transition.  May you hear God’s voice, respond to it, and share it as well.

In God’s graciousness, He knows our efforts will never be perfect like His.  “Well done” is being a cut above the rest.  It describes an inspired and produced excellence, not a faultless performance.  “My” is His right to our ownership and the personal relationship He’s designed for us in Him. “Good” are those called and anointed by Him and one He’s counted on for Kingdom purposes.  “Faithful” and trustworthy over a little suggests one following Solomon’s simple conclusion of reverencing God and obeying His commandments.  Finally, because we pass our short lived and preliminary earth tests of responsibility and accountability in Him as His “servants,” God will glorify us into His full holy presence and labor of love like Adam and Eve enjoyed prior to their disobedience.

Family and friends, our journey is what God is watching, encouraging, protecting, and desiring to enrich. With our determined permission, our character, attitudes, hopes, potential, and final breath is His to establish and perfect.  If we do that, then His Book is open, the answers are right and true, the risks are gone and in humble boldness we can say, write, and one day expect to joyfully hear, “Well done……

Acts 20:24; Heb 9:27; John 15:11; Neh 8:10; Ps 119:133