Hello Church - Do you realize that every day you and I are expressions of Jesus to all who are around us, whether at work, at the store, pumping gas at the station, wherever we're at, we are an "expression" of Jesus. The question we have to ask is, "What kind of expression am I expressing?" We are the salt of the earth and salt can cause something to taste good and produces a thirst or salt can leave a bitter taste in someone's mouth.
   In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, it tells the story of a paralytic man that four friends bought him to Jesus. It says that when the friends finally got him to the house where Jesus was, there was a big crowd and they couldn't get in because of the crowd. Do they went up to the roof, broken the roof open and let down their friend. Jesus saw their faith and their friend was forgiven, healed and walk out of the house.
   These friends carried this man for all we know miles. There's no telling how many times they had to stop and rest for a few minutes before picking up the bed again and walking - and when they finally get there, there's a crowd. These men didn't let the crowd discouraged them, they didn't let the crowd intimidate them - THEY GOT THROUGH. The question we should ask ourselves is, "Have I ever let a crowd, my peers, my family, my friends keep me from reaching Jesus?"
   Church - there are going to be obstacles in our lives, BUT are we willing to tear up some roofs? Are we willing to wrestle spiritual darkness? I heard someone say one time, "Everyone loves Jesus until a sacrifice is involved." Let no sacrifice be greater than getting a hold of Jesus.
 
P. Tom

Hello Church,
   Just a re-cap of yesterday's service, "WHEN SOMEONE PRAYS" to encourage our day. In John, chapter 11 it tells of how Lazarus was sick and Mary and Martha (his sisters) sent word to Jesus to come heal their brother. They found a person who would go and look for Jesus. This wasn't no ordinary person - this person had to put aside their busy schedules, their activities and their pleasures. This person didn't get tired and quit half-way. This person had endurance in the hot sun, had determination and persistence to get Mary and Martha's message to Jesus.
   Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the Unites States stated that "nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts." Persistence is what keeps you going in the midst of opposition and adversity. Persistence people just don't know when to quit. They keep pressing in to the things of God through prayer. Have you ever thought about this - the power of prayer does not necessarily depend on the one who makes the prayer, BUT the power most certainly depends on the ONE who hears the prayer.
   Church, you and I can go to Jesus on behalf of others. Your prayers activates God's power in heaven and "God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven."
   You are the SOMEONE in God's Kingdom. You have access to the Throne Room. When you speak, Jesus hears - When Jesus hears, things happen - When things happen, there's change - ALL BECAUSE SOMEONE PRAYED.
 
P. Tom