Loxa Presbyterian Church

A man knows that he has fallen in love when he has fallen in love. If he does not know, he hasn't. Falling in love is a self-validating experience. So is meeting with GOD. It carries with it its own validity. You know you have met when you have met. For to meet GOD is to know that you have been met by him, to find GOD is to know that you have been found of him, to arrive at GOD is to be visited by his arrival.

Excerpt from "Studies in Genesis" by D.T. Niles

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Only_Son

His Only Son - Wikipedia His Only Son is a 2023 American biblical drama film produced, edited, written and directed by David Helling. Primarily set in Canaan, the film centers on the account from Genesis 22 in the Old Testament when the Lord tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah. The film stars Nic...

Thank you Greg, Brent, and Gary’s volunteers for coming back after church service to get all our hedges trimmed back.

+ AS FAR AS CHILDREN CAN TELL, their mom and dad know everything and can do anything. And kids typically don't question that assumption without reason (for example, if they see a parent mishandle a situation or someone else influences their level of trust). Parents demonstrate reliability by consistently providing shelter, food, and safety-and also by lovingly teaching, comforting, and guiding their sons and daughters. Then the children can sleep in peace, knowing their needs will be met.
Likewise, we know that we can trust our heavenly Father because He has shown Himself trustworthy from the beginning oftime. Psalm 119:90 says, "[God's] faithfulness continues throughout generations." He has never broken a promise, and His plans for us have always been for our good (Jer. 29:11;
Rom. 8:28). What's more, God understands our weaknesses and never asks us to do anything that He won't help us accomplish (Heb. 4:15; Isa. 41:10). We can trust that even in the worst situations, He will be with us (Ps. 46:1).
What does trusting God look like in your life this week?
Where can you relinquish control to Him?

A big thanks to Gayle Cox for filling in on the piano while Kay Hanley is away. Also a big thank you to Jonathan Crask for delivering our sermon today. Happy Sunday everyone!!!

Happy Mothers Day to all the wonder mothers out there.

A SPECIAL PLACE
WED
JAN 18
2023
READ Psalm 145:9-20
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

Needing to find a quiet place to clear my head and find direction and peace, I had driven to one of my favorite spots.
On a warm, breezy morning in southern New Jersey, I sat on a wooden bridge in the middle of the marshland, seeking an answer from God for a tough decision I had to make - a deci
sion that could significantly affect the rest of my life. I prayed aloud, "Lord, I need peace; please speak to me." Though I have never heard an audible voice from God, there have been times that I have had a distinct impression, or have had some evidence that I have interpreted as that "still small voice of God" (see 1 Kings 19:12).

Shortly thereafter, a seagull landed in the creek which flowed under the bridge. It just sat there, peacefully looking at me as it floated in the water. Again I asked the Lord to speak.
Looking around, I said, "Oh, I see now. You are speaking. I'm just not listening!" All about me was peace. In the solitude, I sensed the Lord's voice and felt the beginning of peace in my mind and heart.

It's good to have a special place where we feel closest to the Lord. It is also always a good idea to pause and allow time for God to speak to us.

Sam Siligato (New Jersey, USA)

Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that you are always here for us. Help us make time not only to talk with you but to listen for your still small voice of comfort. Amen.

TUES
JAN 17
2023

IMMANUEL

Read Luke 24:13-35

When I look up at your skies, at what your fingers made - the moon and the stars ... what are human beings that you pay attention to them?
- Psalm 8:3-4 (CEB)

One night as I was brushing my hair before going to bed, I saw a reflection of the full moon in the mirror. Remembering Psalm 8, I felt a sense of well-being and peace. I went to the window to admire the moon but saw only the tree in my garden, its branches and leaves blocking the moonlight. I turned toward the mirror and the radiant reflection was still there. Looking out the window again, I searched intently to pinpoint the exact opening or space where the moonlight was coming through. Only darkness filled the garden. I could not see the moon even though I was sure I was looking in the right direction.
I thought about the story in the Gospel of Luke about the two disciples and their encounter with Jesus on the Emmaus road. Wrapped up
in their grief, they did not recognize the stranger who joined them. Just as I could not see the moon directly but saw its reflection, sometimes I forget that God is always there. Even when our circumstances cloud our vision, God will be there to walk beside us.
Aris A. Roman Silva

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God may not be visible, but God is always with me.

Prayer: Living God, open our eyes and grant us the wisdom to discern your presence. Thank you for never leaving us lone. Amen.

Showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done...that they might set their hope in God
- Psalm 78:4,7

The psalmist is here making a public covenant to keep a careful record of God's blessings and to then recount them to the generations that will follow.

Yet, the thought in this verse also clearly contains the idea of "showing" (not just telling) because the first example the psalmist gives -- the praises of the Lord -- is one that must be acted out; it cannot simply be described if it is to be truly communicated.

It is possible to merely talk about praising the Lord, but the psalmist is promising more than that -- he will enumerate and communicate the praises of the Lord to his posterity, which therefore requires that he take part in such praise before their very eyes.

What are you showing and telling your children about God, and the worship of God? What does it say to your family when you are consistently late to church, early to leave, or quick to miss? Is it showing them the praises of God, is it communicating to them his strength and the wonderful works that he has done?

The psalmist recognizes that the stakes could not be higher. He is making this public commitment to the coming generation in order that they might set their hope in God. Is your faith so public and strong that it encourages your children and grandchildren to place their hope in God, as well?

http://www.baptistbiblehour.org/resources/devotional/decision-making-11/ Decision Making

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest
- Joshua 1:7

There is a striking clash between God's words to Joshua and the concepts of strength and courage that persist in current Western pop culture.

Whether in movies, TV shows, or novels, the idea is continually touted in our day that the one who is strong will make his or her own way, do his or her own thing, and not bow down to any authority. Teenagers are strong if they stand up to their parents, and employees are courageous if they defy their employer.

But God tells Joshua the way of true strength and of great courage is the way of obedience and loyalty. I have placed Moses over you, God says to Israel, and so you are to obey the law that he has given to you. The more strong you are, the more obedient you will be; the more courageous you are, the less you will question my authority or veer from my commandments.

Is this the decision-making paradigm under which you are operating? Or are you still trying to assert yourself, get your own way, make your own path as you choose a college, pursue a career, or form your family budget?

The only way to truly succeed in any place, or in any situation, is by looking to God for direction and obeying his Word. When you do follow him, however, you will find that you prosper wherever you are and no matter what you are called to do.

http://www.baptistbiblehour.org/resources/devotional/cross-of-christ-10/ Cross of Christ

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin
- Romans 6:6

When you by faith look at Jesus on the cross, do you see yourself perhaps in the place of those who stood far away from the gruesome scene, observing and grieving but at a distance?

Or do you feel like the thief that hung next to Jesus and asked for a part in his kingdom, trusting in the fact that this mangled, crucified man is also your Lord who is about to come into his kingdom?

While both of these positions depict our relationship to Christ to some degree, what Paul wants us to see, when we look by faith at the cross, is ourselves crucified with Jesus -- not just far off from him, or next to him, but hanging with him on the cross. Our old man, Paul says, is crucified with him.

This is attention-grabbing language to be sure, but what does he mean by it? Paul explains: our old, sinful nature -- the body of sin -- was conquered as a result of Christ's death on the cross for us. So, in a very real and vital way, we should think of our old life, habits, and desires as being put to death there with Jesus.

It is no longer necessary for us to serve sin, to be slaves to our corrupt desires and emotions. The victory that Christ won on the cross sets us free to serve him.

Have you been crucified with Christ? If so, you are free from bo***ge to sin and have the power to live a new life to the glory of your Savior.

Luke 7:11-17

Daily Devotional

When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses
- Mark 11:25

The only way any prayer is ever heard is through the righteous imputation and intercession of Jesus Christ. Yet it is Jesus who here reminds us that successful prayers are accompanied by holy lives.

If you have anything against any one, Jesus says, forgive them from your heart before you seek to pray to your heavenly Father. Do not presume to ask for a forgiveness that you are not yourself willing to grant others.

We garner this insightful view of prayer, then, from Jesus himself -- your prayer life is both indestructible and delicate, it is both independent of your actions and yet influenced by the decisions you make.

You see, the access we have to God through Jesus Christ is based entirely on his goodness, not your own. For this reason, you can always pray to God, come boldly to God, when you are clinging to the perfect and sufficient work of Christ on your behalf.

On the other hand, scripture is very clear that our way of life -- what we do and fail to do -- will greatly influence our communion with God. Paul admonishes husbands to honor and cherish their wives "that your prayers be not hindered" (1 Peter 3:7). Jesus warns not to even bother praying if we are harboring resentment or bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts.

Today, then, dear believer, go boldly in Christ's name to the throne of grace, and freely love and forgive others so that your prayers are not hindered.

https://www.adamsfuneralchapel.com/obituary/Paul-Hanley

Obituary for Paul H. Hanley | Adams Funeral Chapel Share memories & support the family

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/isa.9.6.NLT

Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. | New Living Translation (NLT) | Download The... For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We lit the 3rd advent candle today:

Third Candle

The third Advent candle is referred to as the Joy candle or the Shepherd’s candle. In those traditions that have three purple advent candles and one pink, this third candle is designated as the pink candle. The third week of Advent celebrates the joy of Christmas day and, not surprisingly, often focuses on the declaration of Jesus’ birth by the angels to the shepherds. Their words of rejoicing, calling us to give “glory to God in the highest”, stir up our souls to give thanks for the miracle of Christmas. Likewise, the immediate reaction and response of the shepherds highlight the Christmas story as something active and dynamic; the miracle of Jesus moves us.

One of the many beautiful lilies that adorned our alter this Easter Sunday.

Christ Has Risen ✨ Happy Easter

Todays sermon. Being a “Son” of God and Knowing Him. And we continue to send prayers for all those families and individuals affected by the invasion in Ukraine.

Loxa Presbyterian Church Furnace AC Replacement, organized by Brent Furry Hello Fellow Christians, Friends and Family of the Loxa Presbyterian Chur… Brent Furry needs your support for Loxa Presbyterian Church Furnace AC Replacement

Fundraiser letter for Air Conditioner and Furnace

Handout for February 13, 2022 services.