Greetings Church Family,
 
“WON NOT DONE!”
 
That was supposed to be a great logo and statement on a shirt for two college football teams advancing to the first ever College Football National Championship Playoff Game.  BUT, to me it’s what I’ve been trying to preach this January!
 
Jesus Christ came to this earth, God in the flesh to redeem us, to purchase our freedom on the cross, to resurrect from the dead, and to bring us victory.
 
Colossians 2:14-15, “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”
 
When we surrender our lives, and place our faith in Jesus Christ we too taste victory over death and sin! We won!  
 
I John 5:15 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.  We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.  Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.  For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.  And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
 
We won but we are not done!
 
Placing your faith in Jesus Christ is just the first victory. Living out your faith is the next step! We won, but we are not done!
 
Remember last week we established the following truths:
 
When I place my faith in Jesus Christ, He now lives in me! Galatians 2:20 -“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
 
I have a new identity – a child of God! John 1:12 – “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Through faith, through my confession of sins, I am God’s child, I am these things and so much more. When you come to realize who you are – your life changes.
 
As John the Baptist preached repentance of sins and turning to God, he helped us see the first victory in seeking forgiveness of our sins and new life in Jesus Christ.  He then challenged his listeners to go live it out!  That is the next victory!
 
Brother and sisters in Christ, we are in the journey, that process now of living out our faith!  Let’s encourage one another, pray for one another that we will stand victoriously.  We have won…but we are not done!
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday!  
 
Pastor Rex

Greetings Church Family,
 
I hope and pray that last week’s message on my identity in Jesus Christ was an encouragement to all of you!  Knowing who you are in Jesus Christ directly affects your emotions and actions!  This coming Sunday we will begin a new series focusing on what it means to live a new life in Jesus Christ!
 
I’m looking forward to this coming year, and all that God has in store for us.  What will happen?  I’m not sure.  But I know that my attitude will make a difference.  So will yours.  I recently shared a devotional thought about having a positive attitude this new year.  Some of you may have already read it.  If so…read it again. 🙂  If not, enjoy….
 
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
 
I was watching a NCAA Basketball game recently and was alarmed by something I saw.  The stadium was filled with a crowd ready to see their ranked team bring home another victory.   The whistle blew, the ball was tossed in the air, and the two teams began their competition.  However, the visiting team came out quick and took a strong lead to the game.  The home team trailed into the second half and finally began to show some hope for a comeback.   It was at this time, with three minutes left in the game, the home crowd finally made some noise when their team showed a little life.  This place was packed and yet quiet, until their ranked team made some good plays.  In spite of a valiant effort, the home team lost.  And the fans quietly left the stadium with the same intensity they displayed during the game.
 
As I watched most of the game, I felt like I was watching a bunch of “Fickle Christians” and that is what alarmed me!  What do I mean?
 
Fickle Christians live with no sense of urgency.  As God’s children we belong to the ranked team and  we are victorious over darkness.  Yet, we can’t expect just to walk into opposition thinking, “We are the ranked home team, we are supposed to win.”  We must still live with an urgency to win and not underestimate our opponent.
 
Fickle Christians sit back and expect others to get the job done.  It appeared that the crowd was not going to participate unless they liked how the team was going to perform.  It reminded me of how the church can act at times, the majority sits and watches a few lead, and refuses to cheer or help unless they see something good.  The only time they make noise is when they don’t like what they see. Regardless of what we see taking place around us, we must engage in helping, serving, or cheering on those who are!
 
Fickle Christians complain instead of cheering.  It is so easy to complain and whine about things that don’t go our way.  Blame it on the refs.  Blame it on the coach.  Blame someone!  Instead of blaming or complaining, let’s use words of encouragement.  Instead of pointing out the negative, can we offer encouragement and something positive?
With a sense of urgency, let’s help, let’s engage in serving, let’s cheer on others as they too serve.  Here’s a simple exercise to start and end the day.
 
In the morning pray something like this; “God, thank for this new day! Help me to be alert to living in a positive manner.  Give me opportunity to serve and encourage others.”
 
In the evening before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished____________.
 
Let’s not be caught with having a fickle, complacent, and indecisive attitude this New Year.  We are new in Jesus Christ and therefore we live with Jesus Christ working through us!
 
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday!  
 
Pastor Rex

Christmas Greetings to you all!
 
This past Sunday was pretty amazing!  Why? For many reasons….
 
It seemed as if nothing was working right – computer crashed, no words on the screen, along with a few others “oops…”
 
Not like we planned.  But then again did Mary and Joseph plan to give birth to Jesus in Bethlehem…in a stable?  Did they expect Shepherds to be the first to visit?  Did they expect Wise Men to bring gifts from afar?  Did they expect another angel visit to tell them to flee to another town?  Did they plan for things to go this way?  Probably, not…
 
…and yet Jesus was worshipped….
 
This past Sunday was amazing because we were able to worship Jesus in spite of what we had planned or not planned.  All glory to Him!  All praise to Him!
 
Thank you children for singing with beautiful voices.  Thank you worship team and those who sang special songs.  Thank you church for your generosity in giving.  Thank you church for gathering to worship as a family.  
 
Thank you Heavenly Father for loving us so much, that you gave your Son Jesus Christ to us!  An expression of your love – your grace and forgiveness extended to us.
 
We will continue to worship this Sunday at 10:00am….10AM!!! 🙂
 
Over the next few days enjoy family time, enjoy time along with God.  Celebrate Christmas!  With hope, expectation, expression and giving – CELEBRATE!
 
See you all Sunday!  Merry Christmas to each of you and your families!
 
Pastor Rex

Christmas Greetings to you all!
 
This Sunday, December 21st – join us as we celebrate Christmas in a special way!
 
It begins at 9:30AM!  I know I had you repeat “10:00AM True North Church!” last week about a dozen times…but THIS Sunday, and only THIS Sunday we are kicking off a time of celebration and song at 9:30AM!
 
We are excited about this special time of music and celebration, as some of you will be sharing your musical talents with all of us this Sunday.  We will take a short break prior to the 10:00AM service.
 
Then at 10:00AM we will have our Christmas Service which will include a couple songs by our children!
 
Just a reminder as we prepare for this Sunday and Christmas next week…
 
“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished…”  (Luke 2:15-18)
 
Look at the Shepherds reaction to the birth announcement.  There is no time to waste! Get there now!  They ran, they searched, and they came and they worshipped!
 
And it wasn’t just worship, it was a humble worship! In Bethlehem today, the place where they believe Jesus was born, was turned into a church.  It’s called Church of the Nativity. The entrance to the church is called “the door of humility” because you have to bend down to enter the church.  You must worship on bended knee, just as they entered in worship….
 
After worshipping, they went out glorifying and praising God.  They celebrated!  Christmas is expectation AND Christmas is exciting! Christmas is expressing celebration and joy!
 
Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
 
Philippians 4:4 – “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!”
 
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
 
When you come to church; the music and the pastor are not what fires you up!  It’s God’s Spirit resonating in your soul with truth that God’ love was extended to this earth.  God in the flesh – to save us from the fiery pit of hell! Don’t let the emotion of how you feel on Sunday morning direct your worship and attitude! Allow the truth, allow God’s Spirit to fill you with the joy of the Lord!
 
Today’s circumstances are tough – I get it! I understand that this can be a tough time if you’ve lost someone. If you’ve lost something. If you have nothing, but the truth is today you are reminded that God’s love and gift to you is eternity!
 
God’s entrance to this world through Jesus Christ gives us reason to celebrate, because someday we can see them in heaven! Someday we will have that which we’ve lost.
 
Rejoice in His coming! Rejoice in His arrival. For his gift to you is eternal life, joy in His presence, and assurance of reunion in Heaven.
 
I look forward to celebrating with each of you this Sunday!
 
Grace and Mercy to you all,
 
Pastor Rex

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ!
 
This past Sunday I encouraged you to follow the command of God – “give thanks!”  Over 100 times in the Bible we are commanded to “give thanks.”  Like picking up a snowball, a stone, a ball…and tossing it at a target.  You are intentional and you are aiming.  That is what we find in Psalm 100:4 in the Hebrew phrase for “give thanks!”  It’s a command to toss!
 
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.  Give thanks to him and praise his name!”
 
Isn’t that awesome?!!  God is telling us to pick up words and actions of gratitude, take aim and intentionally toss him thanks!  I love it!
 
So we worshipped in song and word this past Sunday – and then we actually took about 10 minutes and exercised what we learned.  Many times we listen to the sermon, worship in song, and then attempt to leave and “be the church.”  Well, we stopped and digested God’s Words and applied some of the teaching on the spot.  Here were the three challenges I gave each of us during the conclusion.
 
1. Pick one person that you need to say “thank you” to, and tell them “thanks” and for what reason!
2. Using the alphabet, give God thanks for 26 things!  A = apple, B = brothers, etc.
3. Memorize I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
 
As we get back into a full work week, possibly regretting all the Holiday food and shopping, give thanks!
 
This month of December we look forward to worshipping together as a church family, focusing on the coming of Jesus Christ into this world.  Children’s church and nursery are in full swing, the worship team will be leading us in songs of worship, advent readings will help us focus on the coming Jesus, and together we will worship our Lord and Savior!
 
May God bless you all!
 
Pastor Rex

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ!
 
It was good to worship with you all this past Sunday.  You are my church family.  And as a family, whether we have similarities or differences, we all come together with one purpose to worship God.  Part of our worship includes giving thanks.  I hope and pray that message was clear.
 
We have all been showered with God’s blessings.  In spite of your current good or bad circumstances – our losses or gains, or our “have’s” and “have not’s” – we are blessed.  I stumbled across this letter from a paralyzed veteran to his unborn child.  It truly caused me to be MORE thankful for all that I have.  Take a moment to read it.  Then take time to thank God for what you have.  Then go make plans to truly show an attitude of gratitude the rest of this week.
 
 
Dear Son,
 
Your mother is very special.  Few men know what it’s like to receive appreciation for taking their wives out to dinner when it entails what it does for us.  It means she has to dress me, shave me, brush my teeth, comb my hair, wheel me out of the house and down the steps, open the garage, put me in the car, go around to the other side of the car, start it up, back it out, get out of the car, close the garage, get back in the car, and drive to the restaurant.
 
Then it starts all over again; she gets out of the car, unfolds the wheelchair, opens the door, spins me around, stands me up, seats me in the wheelchair, pushes the pedals out, closes the door and locks the car, wheel me into the restaurant, then takes the pedals off the wheelchair so I won’t be uncomfortable.  We sit down to have dinner, and she feeds me through the entire meal.  When it’s over, she pays the bill, pushes the wheelchair out to the car again and reverses the same routine.  When it’s all over, she says with true warmth, “Honey, thank you for taking me out to dinner.”  I never quite know what to say.
 
– Dad*
 
 
After reading this…all I can say is…”Please enjoy your Thanksgiving gatherings, whether you are in a large family, or by yourself, give God thanks for all that you have…and have not.”
 
May God bless you all – Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Pastor Rex

 

 
*(From First Thing Every Morning by Lewis Timberlake)

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ!We have officially concluded our sermon series on “American Idols.” I hope and pray that you were challenged, as I was. There is definitely a battle in my heart at times between the one and only True God that I worship versus the gods of this world. Whether I’m seeking comfort, security, or hope it is sometimes easier to look at myself, or other things instead of god. But what I’ve learned is that our God is a jealous God who loves us with an incredible love. He doesn’t want to share us with anyone else.

I read something this week, that really put this series into a nutshell: “If you are not hungry for God, it’s because you are full of yourself! If you are full of yourself there is no room for God’s Spirit!” (Mark Batterson)

The god of me, is the greatest idol I battle at times. So I must be aware of temptation and I must examine my heart to see if it is full of me or God.

Jeremiah 2:11-13 says, “Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones, even though they are not gods at all? Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols! The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the Lord. “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”

God makes it clear that heaven is disappointed with how we have at times forgotten God and chosen for ourselves our own gods to worship. (cracked cisterns). Rain was scarce about half the year, so the people in those days would dig their cisterns then line them with bricks and plaster to hold the water. But cisterns were always breaking and losing water. Even when they didn’t break, the water would often become stagnant or the supply would be inadequate. So what these people did seemed ridiculous. Who would ever choose a cistern as their water source when a spring of crystal clear water was available? But that is a great picture of idolatry! We choose a broken well with stagnant water, instead of the spring of fresh water. We look to something or someone to do for us what god was mean to do for us.

Praise God that in spite of ourselves, He will not give up on us!

This coming Sunday is a special Sunday as we prepare for Thanksgiving! Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Grace and Mercy to you all,

Pastor Rex