New Series - Unwrapping God's Gifts

God's gifts to us are powerful and they're unmistakable! During this five week series we're going to unwrap five particular gifts that He guarantees every believer: Strength, Joy, Purpose, Jesus, and Hope. The holidays are very lonely for many people; especially those who don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. Friends don't take no for an answer - drag them with you, bribe them with lunch plans, do whatever it takes to introduce them to Christ this Christmas.

Feeling Separated from God?

Paul poses a question to the early believers which we've been considering the last two weeks.

Here is the question:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? Romans 8:35 (NLT)

Here is the awesome answer:

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NLT)

Our God, who wants us to never be separated from him, offers us the power of Christ that we might have the ability to overcome 'stuff' we couldn't overcome without his power. With the message this weekend we learn that committing to God's program and immersing ourselves in the spiritual disciplines prepares us to carry the conquering spirit into whatever the circumstances of life, that we might progress along the spiritual growth continuum with the intention of becoming fully Christ-centered.

This weekend we will conclude the series but for most of us, the journey of Romans 8 has just begun and will continue for as long as we're willing to drill down deep into the depths of God's word. Bring someone with you who needs to know and experience that Inseparable love of the Father who loved us and gave Himself for us.

See you at the Inseparable Place this weekend!

Pastor Steve

One Week Later...

Welcome to our new First Family! It's one week later and some are happy and others, not so happy. What do we do now that the elections are over? We have a new President and God has given us these responsibilities:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:1-5 (NLT)

So what are we to do?

• Pray for them as they lead
  
• Pray that God would meet their needs
  
• Thank God for them

And notice that what we are to live in ways that are pleasing to God, marked by "godliness and dignity" so that the end result will not bring praise to an office or a country but to the only One worthy of true praise and honor, our Mediator who is the One who can "reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus." Why? "So that everyone will be saved."

Our true salvation is in the Lord and there is no other. Let us then join together and do our part as we first, live righteously and then out of that life, pray for those in authority over us.

Amen.

Pastor Steve