We plan to have a church dinner on Sunday, December 13 to celebrate Alexis Baldwin’s 10^th birthday.

A person is not saved because we come to understand all of the answers to all of our questions. A sinner is saved by the sacrifice of Christ our Substitute who suffered and bled and died as the sacrifice for our sin. That sinner comes to Christ in faith, believing that Christ is the answer to all of our questions. How can God save a sinner like me? Only in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And another Angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto Him much incense, that He should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the Angel’s hand.” (Rev.8:3-4)

Believers pray and struggle in their prayers, not knowing what to ask or say. But here our glorious High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who perfumes heaven with the fragrance of His own blood, is said to offer the incense of His merit with the prayers of His struggling saints and based upon the merit of His blood and righteousness God the Father accepts our petitions for His sake.

Pastor Marvin Stalnaker

COMFORT IN TROUBLE

Being a believer in Jesus Christ and resting in His good providence does not exempt us from trouble, trial, sorrow and heartache in this life. Our Lord said, "In this world you shall have tribulation" (John 16:33). But here is our comfort and help, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psa. 46:1). Our blessed Lord said, "Come boldly unto the throneof grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

Our gracious God has promised wisdom to understand the trial (James 1:5). Grace to endure and bear the trial (2Cor.12:9). Faith to trust and believe God through the trial (Rom.4:19-20). Peace to rest in His purpose, knowing that this trial works to our eternal good (Rom. 8:28-35). Hope to rejoice inour Lord and Saviour, Who said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). Surely, we must conclude that we are needy creatures and that the Lord Jesus Christ is our only resource of help and hope (Phil. 4:19)!

Pastor Tom Harding

THE JESUS MEN DO NOT HATE

When Christ walked upon this earth, men hated Him. Does not the cross speak loudly of how men hated the Christ? But there is a Jesus men do not hate. It is the Jesus that men believe they can control. The one whose will can be thwarted by our will. The one whom men can accept or reject. The one who cannot save unless we of our own free will allow Him to save us. Nobody hates a Jesus they can control. The problem is - that Jesus is an idol invented by men to take the place of the Lord Jesus Christ that they hate. He is the One who has sovereign control over all. The One over whom men have no control. The Lord Jesus Christ, in whose hand all men are. The One who can accept or reject us. This Jesus men hate because they see no safety in salvation being in His hands. But in reality, the only place of safety is in the hands of the sovereign Christ.