Pastor Joe

Let's use part of this day to reflect on lessons learned this past year. Let's include financial, family, marriage, personal, on the job, and spiritually.
Let's also reflect on areas we can improve. Let's spend some time on thinking about ways to improve ourselves in 2009.
Should be a busy day, but let's do it.
Today, I preach the funeral of a dear friend, and teach a Bible study on Ezekiel 11, and share in the Lord's Supper.
You have a great one-PASTOR JOE

We all make choices. We all have priorites. We all have pressures. Satan bothers us all like he did Jesus. This year is almost history. Will we do the right thing in 2009? It is our call. Make up your mind now to LIVE FOR THE LORD-PASTOR JOE

Where has it gone? Why was it so fast? Did we do much for the Lord? Was He pleased with us during this year? What can we do to make next year better?
Some serious questions that we would do well to think about them. Let's spend some time today slowing down and reflecting upon how pleased with me is God? DO it-PASTOR JOE

I do hope you have a good day. Many are off today. Louise has to work. Aren't we glad that God doesn't have the day off. So, enjoy the day whatever your lot. The new year is not long off. PASTOR JOE

Jesus is what it is all about. Jesus loves us, and if we trust Him as our savior it will make a difference now and later. PASTOR JOE

Wonder what the day before Jesus' birth was like for Mary and Joseph. Was it cold? Was it scary-no room? God did take care of them, as He does us.
Jesus came, and Jesus made a difference. What difference do we make?
If you check back later today I will try to have our choir picture from Sunday's cantata-it will bless you.
Merry Christmas Eve-PASTOR JOE

You see people everywhere looking for a bargin, and the perfect present. Great. But wouldn't it be nice if people got excited about Jesus 24/7 365 days a year.
I know to most christmas isn't about Jesus, but it should be.
Have we done Jesus right this year? Why not give Him a present- your heart.
Jesus right now I ask you to be my savior and the Lord of my life. That would be the great christmas ever for you and yours-PASTOR JOE

Our choir was great Sunday. They sang their hearts us, and met the challenge, and did great. Way to go guys and gals. It took great team work of the choir, the leader, and the sound person, and we sure are blessed all the way around.
We had 108 Sunday morning, and even had 49 for Sunday night as we spoke on Doing God's Will. Don did a wonderful solo-wow!
Christmas week is here-enjoy, and never forget Jesus is the reason for the season-PASTOR JOE

Last night a party with my art friends.
Tonight a party with some of my church friends.
Today-carry my Mother to her doctor, see a friend who is very low.
Sunday- my great sunday school class, the choir's cantata, it will be a wonderful blessing. Sunday night preach on "Doing God's will".
After out with some church friends.
Yes, christians can have fun-PASTOR JOE

This is my 777 th blog-wow!
As I promised I will share truths from Ezekiel 11 that I taught last night to the 42 adults present.
1. Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the Lord's house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.
God does lift us up-glory!
God will take us to His house.
God loves His house and so should we.
God knows who we are and where we are and why we are there.
2. Then said he unto me, Son of man, these are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked counsel in this city:
God is aware of what we are really doing and why.
What kind of advice are we giving? Is the Lord pleased with it?
More to follow-later-PASTOR JOE

Why study such? Ezekiel 11
Chapter 11
Vision of Israel’s Corrupt Leaders
1 The Spirit then lifted me up and brought me to the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, which faces east, and at the gate’s entrance were 25 men. Among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur, and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people. 2 The Lord said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who plan evil and give wicked advice in this city. 3 They are saying: Isn’t the time near to build houses? The city is the pot, and we are the meat. 4 Therefore, prophesy against them. Prophesy, son of man!”
5 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on me, and He told me, “You are to say: This is what the Lord says: That is what you are thinking, house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your mind. 6 You have multiplied your slain in this city, filling its streets with the dead.
7 “Therefore, this is what the Lord God says: The slain you have put within it are the meat, and the city is the pot, but I will remove you from it. 8 You fear the sword, so I will bring the sword against you.” [This is] the declaration of the Lord God. 9 “I will bring you out of the city and hand you over to foreigners; I will execute judgments against you. 10 You will fall by the sword, and I will judge you at the border of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 11 The city will not be a pot for you, and you will not be the meat within it. I will judge you at the border of Israel, 12 so you will know that I am the Lord, whose statutes you have not followed and whose ordinances you have not practiced. Instead, you have acted according to the ordinances of the nations around you.”
13 Now while I was prophesying, Pelatiah son of Benaiah died. Then I fell facedown and cried out with a loud voice: “Ah, Lord God! Will You bring to an end the remnant of Israel?”
Ezek 11:1-13 (HCSB)
Do we need to learn from this passage?
Tonight I shall speak from this, and tomorrow I shall share with you some thoughts from this.
God does have much to say-are we listening? PASTOR JOE

One thing I love about this time of the year is getting together with friends. It is so nice to have good friends, and to get together with them is just a fore taste of heaven on earth.
To have friends worth having is a blessing.
To have christian friends is a joy to the soul.
Yes, they can be found, if we search for them.
Never forget that God allows us to be His friend-wow!
Have a good one- PASTOR JOE

I enjoyed so much the services yesterday. The spirit was so good in Sunday school with good discussion of the lesson. The choir did so well in the special, and Tonya did a new Christmas song that blew the lid off-wow! The message was well received about "Where is Jesus?". Our Lottie Moon offering was $1,227- glory!!!
Then last night the kids did so well as they sang and spoke. They were precious. What a blessing. God is good.
Have a great day, and remember Jesus is the reason for the season-PASTOR JOE

This is a wonderful time of the year- I love it.
Tonight we have a christmas party.
Saturday I am sure will be an interesting day.
Sunday, a good sunday school class, and then I preach on "WHERE IS JESUS?". Sunday night the children sing- TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and I am sure it will be a blessing. Then, a bunch will go out to eat.
I love church, and my Christian friends-would you like for me to save you a seat?
God bless you and yours.
I have a friend in my art class ANNIE having an operation today-please pray for her-PASTOR JOE

Last night we had a good time of just serious Bible study in Ezekiel 10:8-15. We had a very good spirit there, and some visitors.
We didn't cover much material, but we did look at some challenging thoughts as revealed in the Bible passage.
Some main points were:
1. God does speak.
2. He desires for us to hear Him.
3. He DESIRES that we live as He says.
4. If we don't then we will suffer judgment.
5. God knows us and loves us.
Good Bible study is such a blessing.
It sure is rain here now-thank You, Lord
Have a great one-PASTOR JOE

In a world desiring to drive us crazy, how can we maintain sanity? What works for me? Who says I am sane? Who says you are sane? Do we know anyone sane? What crazy thoughts.
I have found reading my Bible, praying, being with good people, laughing, crying, and doing something for someone else helps. What helps you? Or does anything?
Think about it, and if you like share some thoughts with me-PASTOR JOE

John 1:2,3
2 He was there with God in the beginning.
The Bible stresses for us that Jesus was in the beginning with God.

3 Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him.
1. Jesus was the agent God used to make everything.
2. Nothing was made but by Jesus.

JESUS IS AWESOME, AND HE DESIRES TO BE YOUR SAVIOR AND FRIEND.
ASK HIM-PASTOR JOE

What pushes your buttons? What do you get excited about? Did your team win?
Does church and the things of God excite us?
We had a very exciting day at church yesterday. Did you get excited? God's eternal truth was shared. God was there. Did you feel His presence?
Do we get excited about real matters?
Jesus is excited about us- Have a great one=PASTOR JOE

Christ Comes to the World

John 1:1 Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. KJVER
1:1 Word The Greek word is “logos,” meaning any kind of communication. It could be translated “message.” Here, it means Christ—the way God told the world about himself. Also in verses 10, 14, 16.
1.In the beginning-Gen. 1:1 or earlier?
2.The Word already was.
3. The Word was with God in the beginning.
4. The Word was God. Jesus is God in human form.
Jesus came.
God was revealed.
Let these precious truths sink in, and be blessed.
May God speak to your heart-PASTOR JOE

We are all starting to get ready for Christmas, but there is something FAR MORE IMPORTANT that we better be getting ready for-Jesus is coming soon.
We can be ready-glory!
You and I can be ready.
We can be ready now.
How?
Romans 10:13 tells us- For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Get ready,now. Jesus is coming soon- PASTOR JOE

Today I have the thrill of going to the Pendleton High School Band Christmas Concert with many of my church buddies. They not only give a good concert, but they also feed us a nice lunch-wow!
I am looking forward to sharing tonight the study of Ezekiel 10. It is some very deep stuff. Don't miss this.
Last night the WMU supper was great. How do you beat good food with good friends?
Pray that you have a great day-PASTOR JOE

Through the years I also have had a great appreciation of the Womens Missions Union in all the churches I have pastored. Tonight for one evening I join the Wmu for Christmas supper. What a great group of dedicated ladies.
They work on mission projects-helping others. Go ladies. Thanks-Pastor Joe

We had a wonderful weekend of football,Dabo, and worship. What a good day Sunday was- we worshipped - all 75 who dared come. The 35 who came for the concert of Total Praise were also blessed. Many are sick with colds,etc... Some were lazy, or let Satan win with them. But God loves to bless-glory!
Stay dry, work hard, and enjoy today-be a blessing-PASTOR JOE