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  • Pastor Todd Weston's Blog

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POWER HOUSE

12/30/2014

 
The New Year is quickly approaching, and with it a new series beginning this Sunday on the Church.  We are calling the series Power House because that is what the Church is – a spiritual Power House!

I am so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ.  I love it because Jesus loves it (Eph. 5:25a).  I give myself to it because Jesus gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25b).  

I’ve been attending church longer than I can remember.  I am thankful God gave me parents who valued the church and its importance in their lives and mine.  Faithful church attendance every Sunday was never in question in our home.  I learned early on to set aside Sunday as the Lord’s Day and to make church a priority in my life.  

It was in church I learned about Jesus and came to understand my need for Him.  It was in church I was taught the great truths of the Bible and was encouraged to commit portions of it to memory.  It was in church I learned many of the songs of our faith.  It was in church I was baptized in water and later in the Holy Spirit.  It was in church I received love and forgiveness when I had fallen short.  And it was in church I found a family of believers who were there to encourage me and help me in my Christian walk.

It saddens me when I see Christians who seem to have little understanding or appreciation for the importance of the church in their lives.  I’ve heard the frequently repeated excuse, “Well, going to church doesn’t make you a Christian.”  That’s true.  The Bible clearly states we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Eph. 2:8-9).  Good works like church attendance never converted a single soul.  At the same time, a lot of people could testify that it was a contributing factor in their coming to faith.

Going to church never made anyone a Christian.  But going to church has definitely played a significant role in many people becoming Christians.  Furthermore, it has played a major role in many people remaining Christians.

As we prepare for the New Year, let’s make a renewed commitment to faithfully attend and participate in the ministries of our church.  I especially appeal to parents.  Make church a priority.  Teach your children, as my parents taught me, that nothing comes before or takes the place of church.  Did I say nothing?  Yes, I meant nothing.  Nothing comes before it.  Nothing takes the place of it.

They may not always like it.  You may not always like it.  But I can personally testify that if you will hold the course and value what God values, the day will come when your children will rise up and called you blessed!  

Pastor Todd Weston

CHRISTMAS MAGIC?

12/23/2014

 
Last week our family walked down the Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios which was alive with Christmas lights and music.  Millions of twinkling lights wrap the buildings along this avenue and are perfectly synchronized to Christmas music.  Above are spinning lighted carousels, angels, toy soldiers, Christmas trees, and even Santa and his reindeer.  With the added effect of falling snow, the whole experience is magical – Disney magic.

Christmas has been called a magical time of year.  I guess that’s because of the lights and decorations, the music, the many traditions, the gifts, the food, and that special Christmas spirit that enters the hearts of people and makes the world a better place for a time.  

Those things are fun and can certainly be a part of celebrating the season.  But Christmas magic is one thing; Christmas miracles are another.  Magic isn’t real.  Miracles are!  The former is the product of human ingenuity.  The latter is an act of God.

Think of all the miracles associated with Christmas.  There were the many prophecies which foretold of the event in detail hundreds of years in advance.  There were the appearances of angels – the one sent to Mary, the one that appeared to Joseph in a dream, the one that announced the birth to the shepherds, and the host of angels that filled the sky with their Christmas song.  

There was the mysterious star that guided the wise men.  And of course, Christmas is all about the miracle of the virgin birth and the amazing phenomenon of the Incarnation.  Emmanuel – God with us.

Of all the wonders of Christmas, I think the most amazing is the love of God that made it all happen.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16).  When you stop and think about it, is there any greater marvel than this?  That a holy God loved us so much that He initiated all the things associated with Christmas is the greatest miracle of all!

As you enjoy the magical things of Christmas this year, just remember to keep it in perspective.  It isn’t about believing in the magic of Christmas, but in the miracles.

Pastor Todd Weston 

But instead of believing in the magic of Christmas, I would rather believe in the miracles.  

A LABOR OF LOVE

12/16/2014

 
In 1 Thessalonians 1:3 the apostle Paul commended the church in Thessalonica for their labor of love.  The word Paul used for “labor” means more than work.  The word speaks of unremitting toil that reduces the strength.  But this labor is not laborious because it is inspired by love.

We have just completed our seventh year of the Estero Christmas Celebration.  This labor of love included nearly 150 members of the River of Life family.   Approximately 1,600 people attended one of the six presentations which resulted in over 30 first time commitments or rededications to Christ.  Although the Estero Christmas Celebration requires months of preparation and much sacrifice from those involved, it’s something we do with great joy as a labor of love to the Lord and our community.

On another note, a few weeks ago the River of Life family gave a special offering to purchase Fire Bibles.  The Fire Bible is the name for the international language editions of the Full Life Study Bible, one of the few Pentecostal study Bibles in existence.  Today, pastors and lay workers in Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Russia and many other countries have access to this study Bible in their language.   

Due to the generous giving of the River of Life family we were able to send a check in the amount of $5,000 to purchase 500 Fire Bibles!  

Whether it’s presenting the Estero Christmas Celebration to our community, or giving to provide Fire Bibles for people we will probably never meet this side of eternity, or participating in the monthly Rosemary Outreach, or reaching out to a neighbor with the message of Jesus, it’s all a labor of love done for God’s glory.

Of course, the greatest labor of love was performed by Jesus Christ when He came to earth to accomplish the work of atonement.  With that in mind, there is no task we could ever perform for Him that is too great.  Motivated by love, let’s continue to joyfully serve the Lord, each other, and those Christ came to save.

Pastor Todd Weston  

LISTENING

12/8/2014

 
On the road to Emmaus Jesus approached two of His followers who failed to recognize the Lord in His resurrected state.  The two disciples were involved in a deep discussion of recent events when Jesus joined them.  When He inquired as to the nature of their discussion they answered in surprise, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about the terrible things that happened there last week.”  Jesus then asked, “What things?” as if He didn’t already know.

For the rest of the journey Jesus listened as His two friends unknowingly talked to Him about Himself.  He listened intently as they described His ministry, death, and resurrection.  He could have stopped them at any time saying, “I know all about it.  I know more about it than you.”  But Jesus didn’t do that.  Instead, He listened.

Many great events in the Gospels occurred because Jesus took time to listen.  People like Nicodemus (John 3), the Woman at the Well (John 4), Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10), and Zacchaeus (Luke 19) experienced life transformation because Jesus cared enough to listen.

As our Great High Priest who represents us at the throne of grace, Jesus still listens.  He knows our personal story better than we know it ourselves.  He knew about our needs before they ever existed.  He was aware of every trial and temptation we would endure before they ever came along.  He knows it all better than anyone, and still He listens better than anyone.

Maybe you have never thought about this aspect of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  In our desire to be more like Jesus, it would be helpful to evaluate ourselves in the area of listening. 

·         Do we give our full attention in listening, or are we easily bored and distracted?

·         Do we multitask while someone is talking to us? (i.e. read emails, watch TV, etc.)

·         Do we fail to listen because we are thinking about what we are going to say next?

A lot of great things can happen if we will follow Jesus’ example and listen intently to people.  So let’s learn from Jesus and practice the art and ministry of listening.    

Pastor Todd Weston

Shekinah

12/1/2014

 
Shekinah.  The word doesn’t appear in the Bible, but the idea does.  Shekinah is the English transliteration of a Hebrew word that means dwelling or settling.  It speaks of the dwelling or settling of the presence of God.  Oftentimes, the word is used in reference to the visible manifestation of God’s presence.

The Shekinah glory is seen throughout the Bible in such episodes as the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that hovered over the tabernacle in the wilderness.  It’s seen in the burning bush that appeared to Moses as well as the devouring fire that descended upon Mount Sinai at the giving of the Ten Commandments.  It was manifested at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple when the cloud filled the Holy of Holies and the glory of God permeated the house.


The Shekinah indicated that the presence of God had arrived.  It announced – GOD IS HERE!

The Shekinah glory of God was something the Old Testament saints witnessed, and this they did usually at a safe distance!  That was about to change.  Believers in Jesus Christ now personally experience what saints of old only witnessed.  God’s presence that once dwelled with His people now dwells in His people.  Furthermore, it’s permanent not temporary.

The same divine presence that resided in the pillar of cloud and fire infiltrates the life of every believer in Jesus Christ.  The same Holy Spirit who filled Solomon’s Temple moves in and transforms our bodies into temples.  The same power that appeared in the burning bush and on Mount Sinai ignites our lives with His presence and announces – GOD IS HERE!  

As for the visible demonstration of God’s presence, it’s that of a changed life!  So let the light of Jesus shine through at all times.  Live in such a way that others may see the manifest presence of God in you!

Pastor Todd Weston  

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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