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Bible Christian Church God Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

I only miss a few Sundays per year with my church family (whenever I’m on vacation), and last Sunday was one of those Sundays. But this Sunday I was back, and it was great to be back home again where I belong with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Our Lead Pastor Bob continued his “Journey To The Cross” sermon series with a frank talk on death, and picking-up your cross to follow Christ who died for us on the cross. He died a bloody death, and He was buried in the tomb. But the story didn’t end there. He rose again to give us life.

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me – you are not worthy of being Mine. If you cling to your life – you will lose it, but if you give up your life for Me – you will find it. (Matthew 10:38-39 NLT)

Love God more than anyone and anything. Follow Him regardless of the world around you. Get closer to Him in peace and quiet.

Saturday is usually a day of rest for me. Yesterday I enjoyed a full day of rest. With the grace of God I accomplished what I set out to do – I finished writing my half-written sermon that I started over a month ago. It’ll be my next sermon – my first of 2019 – that I preach to my church family titled “Present & Future”, and it’s based on James 4:13-17 and a portion of James 5. Once I get the word that I’m preaching on a Sunday morning I’ll begin enhancing and finalizing it. In the meantime it’s on to my next sermon.

Where shall I start Lord ?  Lead me. Show me the way. I will follow You.

All rights reserved (c) 2018 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

Categories
Bible Christian Church God Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

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On this 3RD Sunday of December our Lead Pastor Bob continued his “Journey To The Cross” sermon series with Scripture from God’s Word in Luke 19:37-42. We learned about the final year of Christ’s ministry, and how His journey led Him to the Garden of Gethsemane.

This was my final Sunday with my church family before Christmas. I’ll be on a short Christmas vacation next weekend up in an area of South Central Florida that I may call home in about 5 years – if it’s in God’s will for me. (I’m currently writing my next sermon about my plans into the future – versus God’s plans for me.)

“Sunday Scripture” returns in 2 weeks on Sunday December 30TH. I’ll be back tomorrow night with Week 96 of my Top 10 hits. Could there be a brand new # 1 smash at the top ?

May the everlasting love of our Creator, the peace of the newborn Christ, and the overwhelming joy of the Spirit be with you during this Christmas season and beyond.

All rights reserved (c) 2018 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

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Christian Church God Holidays

‘Tis The Season

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This past Monday night my church family gathered together for 2 hours of fellowship, prayer, and pizza as we decorated our newly renovated sanctuary for Christmas. Atop our brand new stage stands our beautiful new(ish) Christmas tree with the multi-colored background. You saw a photo of our stage in midnight blue this past Sunday. Here it is in sunset red. We’ve also got garland, bows, and wreaths scattered all throughout the seating area.

One of my favorite aspects of being part of this small church family is that we are able to do this each year. We didn’t do this in my previous large church family – mostly because for 5 Christmas seasons our Sunday morning services were held inside a local movie theatre.

I don’t decorate for Christmas at all at home, and we won’t do so at the workplace either; although, an independent office in our building does have their own Christmas tree that they decorate. My family in Ohio (soon to be Texas) puts up the Christmas tree during the first or second week of November – just before my arrival each year – so I’m not part of that process either. (We celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in one fun-filled week.)

Being with my church family for those 2 hours each year to create the Christmas spirit in our sanctuary ranks up there as 2 of my favorite hours of the year. I wouldn’t replace that fellowship with anything. The love is there with my brothers and sisters of my church family. Our Worship Pastor Ben said it best on our Facebook wall – “The Love of Jesus is in this place, and is apparent by the love we share with one another.” AMEN.

All rights reserved (c) 2018 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries

Categories
Bible Christian Church God Ministry Scripture

Sunday Scripture

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The meticulous background and the state-of-the-art lighting of our brand new stage made its debut on this Sunday morning. It’s beautiful !  (The lighting is multi-colored. Today we went with a midnight blue.)

Our Lead Pastor Bob began a new message series this morning on the “Journey To The Cross”. Today’s sermon was based on Luke 9:51 and Luke 18:35-43. We all have a little bit of spiritual blindness on Jericho Road.

I led our monthly observance and celebration of Communion. It was based on 1 John 5:1-6:

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. And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by His baptism in water and by shedding His blood on the cross – not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit – who is Truth – confirms it with His testimony.

All rights reserved (c) 2018 Christopher M. Day, CountUp Ministries