Saturday's Best
January 31, 2010
Titus 3:5-7
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (NIV)
Are we sure of our inheritance? Have we the knowledge and understanding of being full beneficiaries of Jesus Christ, the living Son of God? And is this realization making any difference in our lives?
The will has been read: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24 (NIV)
Friends, we have been chosen to receive the reward of the investment Jesus Christ made on our behalf to secure our birthright: the promise of eternal life.
The only question remaining is this: Is our character suitably reflecting the value of our heritage?
Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe
January 24, 2010
Psalm 25:12
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. (NIV)
All of us are well aware of the ways of sinners. We commit to obligations only with extensive reservations; we wallow in doubts; we worry about our human condition; we vacillate between convictions and uncertainties. We are naturally corrupt: prone to want all that entices and doomed if left to our own devices.
Because we are born suspicious of anything Good and Upright, it is only by grace that our mortal hearts and minds are changed and our senses opened to supernatural instruction. Through Devine intervention, our Father in heaven sends the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. The Third Person of the Almighty Trinity of God stops us dead in our tracks upon the road to destruction, and helps us see our way clear to walk in “The Light” of the promise of eternal life.
Friends, to "fear the Lord" signifies that we have been given understanding of God’s Word; it indicates we comprehend the measure of His Love and are actively responding to the teachings of His Son, Jesus Christ; it illustrates our repentance, forgiveness and acceptance of the invitation from our Redeemer to eat bread and drink wine in appreciation for the gift of our salvation.
"To fear the Lord" literally means we are His chosen ones. And there is no more humbling realization than knowing we are God’s Children and under His Guardianship.
Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe
January 17, 2010
Psalm 22:20–22
Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. NIV
It is good to have a safe house: a place of sanctuary where we can find rest and protection from the despots in this world who prey on weak and defenseless people; a place where we can experience the almighty power of God to deliver us from our worst fears; a “Quiet Place” where we can obtain a peace this world cannot afford.
If you are looking for such a place, we invite you to visit us at First Baptist Church in West Springfield. Here you will find an asylum from the maddening pace of life, a refuge from the storms of life, a shelter from the blunders of life.
Here, in this safe haven, is plenty of room for exhausted sinners who are tired of doing their best to hide their worst; it is a place outside the stares of anyone or anything seeking to harm another human being; it is a place where the heart of what matters is not offense or defense, but the very essence of love itself.
We worship the persona of Jesus Christ in this place. Here our Lord and Savior restores our strength, renews our spirits and refreshes our faith. Here is where we congregate to praise the “One” who takes all of our aches and pains to heart.
Friends, if you are tired of being out in the cold, please let us welcome you into the warmth of Christian Fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.
Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe
January 10, 2010
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (NIV)
What is the primary desire of our heart; the essential goal we aim to realize; the imperative objective we fix our eyes on; the elemental vision we aim to grasp; the commanding hope of all our aspirations? And how determined are we to achieve the reward of our ambition?
Are we willing to calm down, take the gentle path, be in this world while residing in the Quiet Place where our Lord dwells?
Are we willing to let our best work be the labor in which the hand of our Redeemer receives all the glory and we simply go unnoticed?
Are we willing to be so dependent upon our Savior that we lose the respect of the insiders?
My prayer, for each of us having the privilege to call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, is that all these questions will be answered yes throughout our journey with the Living Son of God during 2010.
Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe
January 3, 2010
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)
Are we approaching the New Year having received the "Gift of Christmas," the peace of Jesus Christ in our lives; or have the presents we unwrapped this holiday season only brought us closer to brain circuit malfunction - physical, emotional and spiritual blackout?
If we are experiencing total exhaustion at the end of our day, without the benefit of being able to close our eyes in a sound, restful sleep, we may well have missed the Son of God dwelling among us during all the recent festivities.
My prayer in the coming months, in the name of Jesus, for all of us welcoming in 2010 is that we will be able to close our eyes at night with the knowledge that we have seen the "One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." And that He will give us rest.
Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe