June 7, Worship Services begin today

The freedom we have to gather and worship the One True God, the God of all creation, was given to us through Jesus, God's one and only Son; His life, death, and resurrection.  We are given this freedom that we might love one another as we are loved by God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit.  We love one another so that all of humanity might come to know Jesus as Lord, Savior, Prophet, Priest, King (John 13:32-35; Philippians 1:9-11; Ephesians 4:1-6).   

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. NLT

I pray that the words "freedom is not free" never becomes a cliché in our hearts.  Our lives were bought by the blood of Jesus, all of the freedom we have is because the penalty for sin has been paid in full, for all of humanity by Jesus' blood. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9-10).

As we gather to praise and worship, I wish we could all be together.  I guess we really are together because Jesus told us that we are to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, so we gather from all over the world to worship our Heavenly Father in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24).  Let us bow our hearts before God and praise and worship Him.

Take a moment and go get some bread and a cup of juice(wine), let's share communion together today.

Hebrews 10:19-25 is a Scripture that came to mind as we spent the last 10 weeks in isolation. 

Hebrews 10:19-22 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Come into the very presence of God, come with a sincere heart.  Take a moment and allow the Holy Spirit reveal sins in your life and repent.  Come repenting of those things God has shown you are sin, come forgiven and restored.

Because Jesus our High Priest, has made the way for us to go right into the presence of God we were never disconnected although isolated these past weeks.  The connectedness we have is a Light to our community, of God Grace and Love.  The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of unity, kept our hearts united and full of grace and love for one another, so that the world might know that we are Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35).  Jesus our High Priest has made a way for all to come into God’s presence, let us come together and worship God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, let us worship the One as He has made us one. Let us break bread and share in the cup together today.

Take a moment and pray and receive the elements of communion.

During the time of isolation God moved in some very powerful ways, the Church rose up and met their respective communities needs with the tangible love of God. All around the world, the Church remained a light to the community.   

Hebrews 10:23-25 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

One of the ways we can motivate one another to acts of love and good works is to share what God has revealed to us when we meet together.  What is God doing in you?  What is the Holy Spirit teaching you in the Scriptures?  What Truth has Jesus taught that makes Him more real and personal in your life? God is doing in you so that you can be His witness to ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).  Take time to write down some of those things and praise God for the wonder and awe of His presence in your life.  If you are willing respond to this post that others might be encouraged by your story.  

'May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.'
Numbers 6:24-26

Rescued by His amazing Grace!
Love you all