Christmas Blessings

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December has been a great month for us here at Cornerstone.  We have seen several people saved on visitation and attendance has been growing.  All the college kids returned home from school.  They are such a blessing!  Once again, our Toys for Kids program was a success, as we were able to distribute toys for several hundred children of families in need around the Manchester area.  One of the young ladies of our church, Danielle, was married on December 23rd in a lovely wedding up in Conway, New Hampshire.  We will miss her as she moves to Texas with her husband, Fernando.

The story of Christmas never ceases to be a wonder and awe to me.  It is humbling to think that the God of Heaven that created the universe would love us so much, even as the sinners we are, and come to this earth, born of a virgin, to bleed and die for us that we might be saved.  “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  There is no greater name and there is no other Savior than Jesus!

Being Thankful

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Thanksgiving is upon us once again.  What a special holiday it is.  I am reminded this year how especially good God has been to me, my family and Cornerstone Baptist Church this year.  We are so blessed to live in America and have the prosperity and freedom we so often take for granted.  If we would just be willing to let God be God and turn to Him with our troubles, we could enjoy a special peace that only a Christian can know.  I am reminded of Phillipians 4:6-7 that says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  God has a purpose for all the things He allows to come into our lives.  Our greatest problem is trusting Him as He fulfills His grand purpose for our lives.  May we be more thankful this year as we bring our needs to Him and find His peace.

Father’s Day

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Today is the day that we set aside each year to honor fathers. This morning I encouraged each family in our church to guard against letting the world influence their family life. We looked at a father in the Bible that was not very successful in his family life. His name is Lot and his story is found in Genesis 19. Second Peter 2:7-8 tells us how he and his family got into so much trouble. Verse 7 says he was “vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.” Vexed means to be troubled by and conversation means behavior or lifestyle. Wicked refers to those who chose to live against God and commandments. He was troubled by the lifestyle of those who were living wickedly against God. Verse 8 tells us that he was “dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.” Simply put, Lot and his family were living in a very sinful world and they did nothing to try to keep the bad stuff out of their home and lives. Day after day they saw and listened to things that God would not be pleased with, and it caused them to live in an ungodly way. Living that way ruins people’s lives. The best thing we can do as fathers is to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and determine to each day do our best to keep the world out of our homes. Having a heart for God and doing things His way is always the best way!

A Day to Remember

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The last Monday of every May has been set apart by our country in order to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for our freedom. Cemeteries have been buzzing with activity as people are stopping by to pay respects and place flags beside tombstones. No doubt there are many who are shedding tears as they continue to grieve the loss of those whom they love. Today we join them with mournful yet thankful hearts for what these dear patriots have done on our behalf.

I am also reminded today of a special friend who gave His life for my freedom. That wonderful person is Jesus Christ. In the Bible, John 15:13 says, ” Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This Memorial Day I also thankfully remember the great sacrifice Jesus made for me when He died on the cross of Calvary so that I could be free from sin. That day I received Him as my personal Savior, He gave me the gift of eternal life,  which I must remember to always be thankful for.

I hope this Memorial Day that you, too, are grateful as you remember those men and women who have died for our freedom. Most of all, I hope you are also able to be thankful for the freedom found in Jesus Christ. Have you trusted Him as your Savior?