Honor your Mother and your Father, which is the first commandment with a promise. Eph 6:2

Today we honor our Mothers; whether you are blessed to have your mom still in your life or carry her in your heart. She has loved us unconditionally, doing without, so her children could have more. She wears many hats; cook, maid, taxi driver, nurse, referee, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on.  When a child is sick, who do they call for?  Their mom!!

In Hosea 11, God is described as a mother who nurtures, takes care of, feeds, and protects her children. In Hosea 13, God is described as a mother bear, fighting to keep her cubs out of harm’s way.

In Hosea 11, God is described as a mother who nurtures, takes care of, feeds, and protects her children. In Hosea 13, God is described as a mother bear, fighting to keep her cubs out of harm’s way.

When I think of the fruits of the spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance, I think that describes our Mothers. Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, also describes a Mother. “Love is patient, kind, not rude, is not self seeking and keeps no records of our wrong doing.”  Does that sound like anyone you know?

When I think of the women at Summit, I see a Shunammite woman from 2 Kings who would fix a meal for guests when they came to visit. She even fixed a small room in her house with a bed, table and chair, and a lamp for the man of God to stay when he passed by because she saw a need and filled it. Solomon describes a wife of noble character as worth far more than rubies. She gets up while it is still dark to provide food for her family. 

Brothers and Sisters, doesn’t that sound like the women of Summit? That’s why we honor our Mothers today. God bless you on your special day!!                                                                                       

She is clothed with strength and dignity

She can laugh at the days to come,

She speaks with wisdom

And faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:25-28

God gets way too much credit for all the suffering that occurs in the world. Suffering is sometimes simply a result of UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES. In Luke 13:1-5 Jesus brought up both the Galileans who died at the hands of Pilate and the 18 who died because of a tower falling on them. Jesus concludes that neither suffered more because of sin – and instead, He says we should focus on our own need for repentance.

However, when our lives spin out of control, we find it convenient to blame God out of our chaos. Now we know that chaos does not come from God (1 Cor.14:33). So, sometimes sin is because of SATAN messing with us – as in the case of Job 1 and 2.

But suffering can also be because of OUR OWN SINFUL ACTIONS. If we are unforgiving, and instead nitpicking something in someone else’s life, we are inviting Satan to control our lives. He is, after all, the “accuser of the brethren” Rev.12:10.

God does, however, say that we can suffer because of TRIALS HE SENDS our way. To these He says through James 1:1-5 to “count it all joy” because they will develop patience in us and culminate in wisdom. After all, lessons learned is wisdom earned.

Friend, are you suffering today? If you are being persecuted because of righteousness you can feel blessed (Mt.5:10-12). But if not, you should probably stop blaming and start repenting.

In 586 BCE, one of the most important historical events occurred that changed the entire course of history: The destruction of Jerusalem. While some may perceive Jerusalem as a city in the small country of Judah, in reality, it was the center of the world. It was the place God chose to dwell with his people. But after Jerusalem was destroyed and Israel was sent into exile, the people were homeless and landless. Even worse, everything that gave their lives meaning was gone. No more festivals at the temple. There was no way to sacrifice to Yahweh. Now they were vagabonds wondering around the world with no
center. Life was meaningless.

We also have been exiled recently. Ironically, although we have hunkered down in our homes, we have been exiled from the rituals and associations that give our life meaning. Friendly fellowship and hugs have been challenged as we are called to social distance. For the past year, we have not been able to meet in the same place for Bible classes. Many have lost jobs and family members, and many others have spiritually lost themselves and are disconnected from the Lord and his people.

Because of the work of Jesus Christ, we are no longer exiled from God’s presence. He has rescued us from our meaningless life. Today is the day of our salvation (2 Cor 6:2–3)! Zephaniah charges that we sing unto the Lord because he has restored us, “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more” (3:14–15). Eventually, another great Day of the Lord will come, and God will call us home as he transforms the world around us into the temple as he once again lives among his creation (Rev 21–22).

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

The cares of this world often feel overwhelming: disease, hate, addiction, and the threat of war all over the world.  At times like these, it is important to pray without ceasing and give thanks.  When we pray and give thanks, it creates in us an attitude of gratitude.

Scientists have determined that gratitude has tremendous physical benefits. Gratitude boosts levels of dopamine and serotonin in ways that are similar to antidepressants.  It is not necessarily finding gratitude itself that is most important, but it is the search for it.  Remembering to search for the things that create a grateful heart is key to contentment in this life.  It can also create a positive feedback loop in our relationships with others when we express our gratitude to them.

The Apostle Paul reminded us to give thanks in everything (I Thess. 5:18), and to give thanks to God in whatever we do (Col 3:17).  When we give thanks, we focus on the positives and not the negatives.  Jesus reminded us (John 16:33) that we will have troubles in the world, but He has overcome the world, so we should be of good cheer.  To the faithful, we have a home that awaits us where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” (Rev 21:4) 

We have much to be thankful for in Christ.  When times get tough, let us stop and give thanks.

What were the burdens the heavy-laden souls brought to you this week? Was it someone feeling overwhelmed by life? Or was it a soul who found everything going from bad to worse? From day to day, I don’t know who it is going to be or what the burden will be – I only know God is calling me to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal.6:2).

For Peter, Jesus ministered to his guilt-ridden soul by asking him three times if Peter loved him (Jn.21:17). Jesus knew that was the right question because He had taken the time to get to know Peter. Who can you minister to today by more fully getting to know them?

Sometimes bearing one another’s burden means bringing in someone to help share the burden. For Peter and Paul, it was realizing that God called them to minister to two different groups. Peter being called primarily to the Jews and Paul’s focus was to the Gentiles (Gal.2:9).

At times being a burden bearer can be almost too demanding. For Jesus, that day came when he spelled out the extent of what following Him would mean. Most of the disciples left him. But His loyal 12 reassured Him that they were in for the long-haul (John 6:67-69).

Friend, the workload is huge – are you ready to step up? Then trust you have the resources you need (Acts 3:6) and serve as if you were helping our Lord Jesus Himself (Mt.25:40).

Should we forgive people only if they ask for forgiveness? For instance, if someone intentionally set out to hurt me by hurting my dog, should I forgive them for their sin even though they do not show remorse? While we certainly cannot have the same reaction as John Wick, I’ve heard many Christians agree that we are under no obligation to forgive sins without their repentance. God only forgives sinners when they ask for forgiveness, so why would he expect us to do something that he himself does not do!?

However, the Bible teaches that this line of reasoning is incorrect. There are examples of Christians having a forgiving spirit toward others even though the sinners themselves did not ask for forgiveness. One such example is Stephen. After he stands up to the Sanhedrin council, he is stoned for blasphemy by the antagonistic Jews. His final words as he was being crushed under the weight of their hatred was, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60). We see a similar example from Christ himself while he is on the cross. He prays that God may forgive them of this misdeed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). Finally, if we do not forgive others who have sinned against us, our heart will grow farther from God. If we do not forgive others of their transgressions, God will not forgive us of ours (Matt 6:14–15).

Humans, by nature, become nervous. Everyone is different and we all experience a variety of things that can make us feel this way. One of the things in 2021 that I told myself I would not do was to become nervous in certain situations. Learning not to become nervous is easier said than done. We are a quarter into the new year, and I’ve been anxious about more things than I should have. For those that do not know, I have been vaccinated for COVID a little over two months. Before getting the first dose, my nerves were through the roof.  Looking back, I wonder why the nerves were so high. As Christians, we should not be nervous. There is no reason for us to be. Even though there are times when we become nervous, such as before a big presentation, awaiting test results or whatever the case might be, the Bible tells us many times to never feel this way. We need to realize God is always with us. In Deuteronomy 31:6 Moses says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

This verse gives assurance that one should never be afraid or nervous. Christians are to be strong and have faith in everything. We need to live our lives without fear. The Lord will always be with us no matter what we do in life. All of us will go through different challenges in life or situations that make us scared or nervous. As the verse states, “He will not leave you or forsake you,” this is all we need to get through anything in this life. 

Joshua 1:5, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holyis the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:8-11

As we gather on Sundays to worship our God, have you ever stopped to ask yourself what exactly are we doing?  What is it that God wants from us when we worship him?  Read on to see two things that should always be on our minds when we worship our God.

Recognize His Nature and Power

The four creatures that represent the highest forms of God’s creation continually call out God’s holiness and his eternal nature.  They never stop because there is no end to his power and majesty.  It is a recognition of the raw power that exists in God.

Give Him Honor and Thanks

The 24 elders, who once lived on earth as sinful men who were redeemed, bring another level of praise.  They not only recognize the raw power and holiness of God, but they also call out his goodness, benevolence, and love.  They call him worthy because of what he has done for them. 

There is a huge distinction between these two kinds of praise.  There is an awe that comes over weak beings when in the presence of awesome power, good or bad.  Worship is more than that fearful trembling.  It is gratitude for the good that God has done at such a terrible price.  Only those who have experienced the release from the prison of sin can give this kind of worship.  All the angels in heaven, with their awesome abilities, can’t offer the kind of worship we can.