August 16th

The only way you will ever discover that God is enough is if you believe that God sent His only son to die for your sins so that you can be reconciled to Him.  Before that happens, the Bible describes us as being dead in our sins and trespasses (Eph. 2:1-3), and what we need to happen is to be born again.  That God would seek lost sinners like you and me and then make a way for us to be forgiven and redeemed by Him is something that angels marvel at (see 1 Peter 1:12).  According to 1 Peter 1:3, God caused you to be born again, which means that he made you who were once spiritually dead to Him alive in Christ.  

When God caused you to be born again, a supernatural thing happened in your life.  After your soul was made alive, you were able to do something that you never were able to do before.  God has given you new appetites and new affections! Because you have been born again, you can passionately love Jesus even though you have not seen Him.  Even though you do not yet see Jesus, your joy is found in Him.  As a result of being born again, you now have new appetites just as Peter described: Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:89).  What happened?  God did the impossible in your life; with the same power that created the universe, He gave you spiritual life.  In the Old Testament, there is another name assigned to God and that name is Yahweh-Nissi, which means: The Lord my Banner.  Christian, God is your banner, and because you are alive with Christ, your identity is now found in Him.  

I look forward to worshiping Yahweh-Nissi with you this Sunday in our 9:00 and 10:30 AM worship services.  I cant wait to spend time with you in Ephesians 5:14-21, which I am sure will serve to encourage and help you as you seek to follow Jesus.  

Because He Lives,

Pastor Keith