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From the Pastor’s Heart |
| News and Views by Clay |
So I am sitting here
thinking what should I write
about. I mean what in the
world could I say to keep
your attention for the next
couple of minutes?
Especially during this
CHRISTmas season.? So
I decided to just tell you
about a thought I had.
My parents and sisters live
in Victorville California and
my mom called me excited
about the fact that it was
snowing and I mean really
snowing. I thought ok, cool,
(no humor intended) glad I
am in riverside. (I really
don’t like being cold). Then
she sent me some
pictures of the snow so I
put on a coat and started
looking at them. She was
right everything was
completely covered up.
There was so much of the
white fluffy stuff that you
couldn’t see where you
had walked just minutes
earlier. It’s funny how when
it snows that much and
everything looks so clean
and pure that you don’t
even want to walk on it,
afraid that you may leave
footprints and make it look
ugly again.
Then I thought, hmmm….
God’ grace & forgiveness
is just like that snow. Pure,
white and oh how we love
to just stop and bask in it,
wishing we could just stop
time right there and then.
You know, that snow really
does represent my life,
how every footprint would
show exactly where I had
been and what I was up to.
At first I hold out for a long
time not wanting to mess
up the beauty of it all then
slowly but surely
something comes up (that
old sinful nature) and I take
that first step out, and the
cycle of sin, then ask God
to forgive, starts over once
again. You know what I
mean right? After a few
steps in the wrong
direction you turn only to
see your footprints (or
sinful nature) have once
again blemished God’
beauty in your life. And you
are embarrassed & hope it
will snow again so no one
will see the sin trail you left
behind you. Why, You ask?
do you keep doing that
which is evil, the very thing
you don’t want to do, and
the good that you want to
do you don’t do. The
apostle Paul had the same
question. He knew that it
was that old sinful nature
still in him, unwilling to go
without a fight. So lets do
like he said when we fall,
“get up dust yourself off
and continue”. God’ grace
& forgiveness is unending.
Remember, this season is
not just about Jesus’ birth,
but also more importantly
his death and resurrection.
So when you goof up or sin
ask God to remind you that
his Son already paid the
price for that sin, then
rejoice, I will say it again,
rejoice.
Clay
P.S. then pray for snow if
you want to.
thinking what should I write
about. I mean what in the
world could I say to keep
your attention for the next
couple of minutes?
Especially during this
CHRISTmas season.? So
I decided to just tell you
about a thought I had.
My parents and sisters live
in Victorville California and
my mom called me excited
about the fact that it was
snowing and I mean really
snowing. I thought ok, cool,
(no humor intended) glad I
am in riverside. (I really
don’t like being cold). Then
she sent me some
pictures of the snow so I
put on a coat and started
looking at them. She was
right everything was
completely covered up.
There was so much of the
white fluffy stuff that you
couldn’t see where you
had walked just minutes
earlier. It’s funny how when
it snows that much and
everything looks so clean
and pure that you don’t
even want to walk on it,
afraid that you may leave
footprints and make it look
ugly again.
Then I thought, hmmm….
God’ grace & forgiveness
is just like that snow. Pure,
white and oh how we love
to just stop and bask in it,
wishing we could just stop
time right there and then.
You know, that snow really
does represent my life,
how every footprint would
show exactly where I had
been and what I was up to.
At first I hold out for a long
time not wanting to mess
up the beauty of it all then
slowly but surely
something comes up (that
old sinful nature) and I take
that first step out, and the
cycle of sin, then ask God
to forgive, starts over once
again. You know what I
mean right? After a few
steps in the wrong
direction you turn only to
see your footprints (or
sinful nature) have once
again blemished God’
beauty in your life. And you
are embarrassed & hope it
will snow again so no one
will see the sin trail you left
behind you. Why, You ask?
do you keep doing that
which is evil, the very thing
you don’t want to do, and
the good that you want to
do you don’t do. The
apostle Paul had the same
question. He knew that it
was that old sinful nature
still in him, unwilling to go
without a fight. So lets do
like he said when we fall,
“get up dust yourself off
and continue”. God’ grace
& forgiveness is unending.
Remember, this season is
not just about Jesus’ birth,
but also more importantly
his death and resurrection.
So when you goof up or sin
ask God to remind you that
his Son already paid the
price for that sin, then
rejoice, I will say it again,
rejoice.
Clay
P.S. then pray for snow if
you want to.
| January 2009 Devotion by Pastor Mike |
| OTHER STUFF! |
| ABOFA Blog |
| One of most frequent questions I hear concerning a person’ s relationship with God is how one can really know God’s will for their life. And of course, that is a very important question. With the new year upon us and the desire to try new things and to do old things even better, I believe it’s important to be reminded of some basic principles of God’s will – both generally and specifically to our own lives. There is God’s general Will, which is for all people at all times. This is His will specifically given in Scripture (the do’s and do not’s). Then there is God’s particular will. This is His will for particular people (like you and me) at particular times. His particular will concerns itself with such questions as choice of work, life partner, use of time, money, and other specific decisions not directly revealed in scripture. Though this aspect of God’s will is not specifically found in scripture, basic biblical principles can help guide a person in making such decisions. It is absolutely crucial to understand that apart from the study of God’s Word, it is impossible to grow in one’s understanding of God’s will – both generally and particularly (see 2 Timothy 3:16- 17). Where we really need to begin is with God and His involvement in revealing His will to us. Why? Because a major problem with reference to God’s guidance is a wrong, or nonexistent understanding of who God is and what He is like. It is God’s will and pleasure to guide us! But probably most importantly to us as imperfect followers, it is His will to guide us in a more fundamental way: He ensures that whatever mistakes we may make, we will come home safely (see Philippians 1:6). I believe that much of the anxiety is not because Christians believe that God will not guide them, but because they are afraid they might miss the guidance that God provides. The bottom line: we only miss it if we aren’t really looking for it. The fact that one is worrying about missing God’s will means that they are actually looking for it – and that’s what God requires. If you desire to know His will for your life, He will reveal it to you. Just remember these following principles: · God not only has a plan for you, but He also has the ability to communicate it to you. · You are God’s child (Matthew 7:11) · You have an indwelling teacher (1 John 2:20, 27) · God seeks His glory through your lifes and He is glorified when you obey His will (Psalm 23:3; John 15:8). |
| Hey Everyone, ABOFA is scheduled to play some exciting places this year. Check it out ! Sept. 11th, 2008 1:45pm L. A. COUNTY FAIR Pomona Fairplex, Pomona, CA Sept. 27th, 2008 9:00am Car Show for the SON Chaffey High School 1245 N. Euclid Ave Ontario, CA Oct. 10th, 2008 5:30 & 6:30pm SO. CALIFORNIA FAIR Perris Fairgrounds Perris, CA 2 shows The Jeremy Camp Concert starts at 8:00pm Dec. 20th, 2008 10:00am - 2:00pm Jurupa Valley Community Church 5430 Ridgeview Ave Mira Loma, CA 91752 Jan. 17th, 2009 7:00pm Grace Community Church of the Nazarene 126 N. Walnut Ave. Placentia, CA 92870 |
| HAPPY NEW YEAR |
| ABOFA is now booking for 2009. If you, your church, or someone you know would like to have ABOFA come out and play, please give them our information. Booking: Tom Tetzlaff abofamusic@yahoo.com 951-736-6437 |
