Matthew 27:45-51 (NIV1984)
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi,[a] lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”[b]
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
… 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

Footnotes:
a. Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eli, Eli
b. Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1

* Emphasis added is mine

Expect all Scripture to show me something I need to know, stop, change or do.

“At that moment” what a powerful phrase! At that moment JESUS paid the price for my sins. This is a precious, precious moment in the life of any believer. At the very moment the price for our sins was paid in full. And notice that just before that moment in full voice JESUS proclaimed “FATHER, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) JESUS announced to the world the completion of the task that HE came to earth for. HE did it as the verse says in a loud voice. It has been my experience watch that at the end of life the voice is one of the first things to go. To me the mention of HIS loud voice is a sign of HIS victory over death.

The next sign is the tearing of the curtain in the temple. No longer am I separated from GOD. The tearing of the curtain symbolizes that now we have the opportunity to draw close to GOD our selves without any intermediary. Maybe this has more meaning to me because of my upbringing in the Catholic Church. To have the opportunity to draw close to GOD directly has a deep, deep meaning to me.

Prayer: JESUS, as I go about this day, please let me not take for granted the price that YOU paid for me to have the right to draw close to the FATHER directly. LORD, YOUR declaration to the world that the task was completed on the cross at Calvary is significant and should not be taken lightly. Please allow me the boldness to proclaim to the world YOUR gift of salvation.

T minus 4 and counting…to the launch of The Meridian 4G Challenge

We launch April 1, 2012

What are the 4Gs you ask? GOING – GATHERING – GIVING – GROWING.
… …
What are the 4Gs based on? The principles of the 1st Century Church that we find in Acts 2:42-47.

2nd principle: The Authentication of the Apostles.

The “works of power” authenticated the fact that the apostles had been with Jesus.

Looking at this from a broad perspective it can be inferred that as the apostles went about their ministry people were in “awe” as they saw things that the se ordinary men were doing. It was evident that they had been with Jesus.

Can the same be said of us today? What evidence is there for the fact that we have been with Jesus?

Divorce rates are equal in church and out. Families are just a dysfunctional in the church and out. Pornography has a hold on as many in the church as out.

What has happened to the manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit with in the church? What authenticates the fact that we have been with Christ?

For the apostles of the 1^st century it was the manifestation of “wonders” and miraculous signs.”

There should be power in our relationship with Almighty GOD.

I’m reminded of line from an old hymn…“There is power in the blood, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb”

What in our lives identifies us with Christ?

Our challenge is to apply these 1st Century Church principles to our lives over the next 4 months.

We are going to be blessed…so join in!

Today once again I am back…what a wonderful feeling. The only problem is that I have no voice.

Last week I lost my voice while I was down with a cold. Staying in and working from home gave me a chance to spend some quality and quantity time with the Lord. When my body catches up with my spiritual renewal I hope to be a blessing to the church that God has granted me the privilege to pastor. There are four things that I am going to ask the congregation to focus on for the next 90 days.

1. GOING…to the LORD in prayer
2. GATHERING…for worship and fellowship
3. GIVING…of our Time, Talent and Treasure
4. GROWING…in grace and knowledge of our GOD.

It is my prayer that over these next 90 days we will develop some new habits that will move us to the next level as a church in this portion of God’s vast vineyard.

This passed Monday (2/21/12) evening I heard a powerful message from Larry Wynn, NAMB Vice President of Evangelization. Brother Larry’s message though simple was profound at the same time. From John 9:35-37, he encouraged us to do three things…three things by the way that the church needs to be doing.

1. Be obedient to God’s Word
2. See people the way Christ sees people
3. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest for workers.

They sound simple, so then why don’t we do them? My answer…we are not living out our faith. We have simply absorbed it and are no longer living it out in the world around us. My response to the message…change the way I do things…rededicate my self to living out my faith not only as a leader in the local church, but as a believer.

Today I started a new chapter in ministry.  I’m back in the office after being out most of the month and dealing with the emotions of my brother going to be with the Lord.  It is a difficult transition, but by the grace and mercy of God I know it can be done.  I am blessed to know that all those who were in my family home during my growing up have made professions of fatih and are with the Lord now. My immediate family (wife and children) are all believers as well. My remaining sibling is powerfully saved…so what is next? I have been meditating on Acts 1:8 and wondering what does it mean to move beyond Jerusalem?

Praise God my friend Rev. Lawrence Edwards was moved up to heaven on Monday. He joins that great cloud of witnesses that is watching over us. I will miss your soft spoken ways my friend but I will see you someday…well done.

I found an interesting quote today… “it was the cross that revealed what God always was and is.” Art Katz

Makes you really think…as we spend time trying to desperately interpret the Scriptures, yet we don’t fully comprehend what Christ did on the cross. This Christmas season let us look at the tree on Calvary with a greater understanding of what it really means.

What are the two things that the church in America needs most?  Before you answer think it through. The answer is not hard just overlooked.

This morning my two brothers called me and both expressed compliments to me for being the brother that I am.  The funny thing to me is that they have more to do with who I am than they realize. I look up to them, they are my brothers, but they are also my friends. These are two men that God has put in my life that I can talk to about the things that life throws at us. They have different perspectives on things so it is always interesting to listen to what they have to say.

Hearing their voices is always reassuring. They are a reminder to me of from where I come. The unconditional love of our parents comes across in their voices. During these times of trial and challenge it is comforting to know that I have exceeded their expectations. It is also comforting to know that had it been me in the situation they would be there for me.

God Bless my two brothers…two ways…by the blood that runs through us and the blood that covers over us.

Love you guys!