 The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of June 29, 2015
One Man, One Woman Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Beloved, I was told a long time ago that “What is God given must be God governed.” In other words, because God created marriage, God creates the rules for marriage and for every other creation of His. Concerning marriage, God’s rules are simple: one man, one woman for life. Not two men and one woman, nor two women and one man nor two women nor two men; no, one man, one woman for life. Simple. Unfortunately, Scouts (Supreme Court of the United States) has essentially redefined marriage to include the possibility of two men or two women getting married. We disagree. While we acknowledge that Scripture tells us generally to obey the government (Romans 13:1), as believers we are not to obey the government if it attempts to supersede the Law of God. The Apostles provide us with a godly example in Acts 5:29, “But Peter and the other Apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Beloved, since our citizenship is in heaven, (Philippians 3:20), and our commander in Chief is Jesus; we walk according to His commands. God created marriage and what is God created is to be God governed. We acknowledge that this civil disobedience may result in persecution from the State. As a pastor I may be charged with a hate crime when speaking about the sin of homosexuality. As a church we may be taken to court to provide a wedding ceremony for a homosexual couple. Out tax-exempt status as a non-profit could be taken away and other issues may arise in which we will have to make a choice. Truthfully, the choice has already been made. We will obey our commander–in chief, Jesus Christ. We also acknowledge that we have fallen short of upholding God’s standard for marriage. Whether it is pre-marital sex, divorce, co-habitation, adultery, pornography and on and on; we acknowledge that we have sinned. We cannot throw out the first stone because the Church has sinned. But our desire is to confess and repent of our sin. We have reaped the devastation of sin in our families and in the church as a whole. Broken lives and broken children are a result of our sinfulness and we repent and ask for God’s forgiveness and grace to cover us. We will not parade our sin but pray that the blood of Jesus covers it. We also acknowledge that while we are against the sin of homosexuality we are not against the homosexual. We desire that they too would come to know the life saving grace of Jesus Christ. We weep knowing that their sin will ultimately destroy their lives. The average life span of a homosexual is far shorter than that of a heterosexual. Their lives are filled with infidelity, disease and violence. By any estimation, their sin destroys their lives. For further information please refer to the Family Research Council. Our response will be to reach out to the homosexual and all other sinners with the same grace and love that brought us to Christ. We will pray that the Lord will use this recent SCOTUS decision and oncoming persecution to bring many into His kingdom. May the Lord use us for His glory! Beloved, Jesus is coming soon! May we be found busy doing the work of the Lord! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Christ, Pastor Joe
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 We are truly sorry but Wednesday night Service is cancelled due to a water main break. God bless Pastor Joe Marquez
John 13:34-35 "One Another." On this week's Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez.6/15/2015  The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of June 15, 2015
One Another John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” “Love one another.” “Bear one another’s burdens.” “Forgive one another.” The New Testament gives us many “one another” instructions: things that we should all do one behalf of our family in Christ. Beloved, the word for “one another” is two words in English but only one word in Greek (ah-LAY-loan).” That word, (ah-LAY-loan), is used 100 times in 94 verses in the New Testament. Forty-seven of those verses give instructions to followers of Jesus. One third of those “one another” commands deal with the church getting along, or unity. For example we are to be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50) and be kind, tender hearted and forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32). Another third of these “one another” commands tell us to love one another. The verses in John 13:34-35 are prime examples of the attitude we are to have for one another. Fifteen percent of those “one another” commands deal with humility. For example we are to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14), and serve one another (Galatians 5:13). The remaining “one another” verses deal with various other issues such as praying for one another (James 5:16) and being hospitable to one another 1 Peter 4:9. I say all this because yesterday was one of those days that we needed one another to step up. I was thankful that as I was serving the folks at Calvary Chapel of the Springs, Pastor Mike Rios was able to step in for me at Grace CC. Others were able to love and serve one another through various facets such as worship, children’s ministry and such. Beloved, you have often heard it said that family is important. They are important. Concerning who they are Jesus said it this way in Luke 8:19-21, “Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Beloved, we will be spending an eternity (literally) with our family in Christ. Should we not treat family as family and love one another?! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Christ, Pastor Joe  The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of June 8, 2015
A Cheerful Giver 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Beloved, it has been said that in this world there are two types of people, givers and takers. The takers eat better but the givers sleep better! In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 we find three characteristics of Christian giving which help us to learn not only how much to give but the importance of having the right heart in giving. The first characteristic is that Christian giving is generous; the second is that it is willing; and the third is that it is cheerful. There is something for us to learn about all three. In the matter of generosity the Apostle Paul holds out the principle, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” That is, if you give just little bits here and there, that is the way you get it back. This is true in spiritual things as well as in material things. But on the other hand, he says, if you give generously, you will reap generously. It is obviously a generous spirit that he is holding forth. The second characteristic to Christian giving is that we possess a willing heart to give. Giving is always a matter of the heart. It is not the amount that God is concerned about. It is whether there is a generous disposition and whether one is anxious to meet the needs of others out of whatever one happens to have. Therefore Paul says, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart.” The third characteristic to Christian giving is that it be done, “not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Beloved, when we give we should not only give generously and willingly but also hilariously! God loves a cheerful giver. One more characteristic to Christian giving is this: giving is a matter of trust. When we give, can we trust God to meet our own needs? Beloved, I have learned time and time again that indeed we can trust the Lord. So we can give, generously, willingly and cheerfully and reap the beautiful promises and blessings God has for us as we give. We cannot out give God! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Christ, Pastor Joe 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 "Fragrance of Christ." Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez .6/1/2015  The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of June 1, 2015
Fragrance of Christ 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the aroma of deathleading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” Beloved, what do you smell like? The word for fragrance here can mean, “a sweet smelling thing!” Are you a “sweet smelling thing?” What Paul is picturing here is the smell of incense burnt to the Roman gods in a triumph parade. It would be a great smell to a Roman, but a bad smell to a prisoner of war. In the same way, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of life to some and a message of condemnation to those who reject it, “16To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life.” Beloved, we all know that it is difficult to place our Christianity on display. When the world fights against us we so badly desire to fight back. Yet, scripture encourages us to be the fragrance of Christ, an aroma that leads to eternal life. Thus, in the work place, at school and at play we are to show others who Christ truly is and to place His love for others first. But this is not easy to do which is why Paul says, “And whois sufficient for these things?” The truth is none of us are sufficient for these things. When we consider the greatness of God's plan, we understand that we cannot fulfill it on our own. We need help! Hence we have been given the Holy Spirit, which is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think! Beloved, we can be the fragrance of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit alone. So, how do you smell? Are you a sweet smelling thing for Jesus?! I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you! In Him, Pastor Joe |
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