Fairhaven Baptist Church

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I Corinthians 15:52
Romans 10:13

Romans 4:3-8

Christ Jessus paid our sin debt, all of it, on the cross because it is a debt we can’t pay. We can't be sinless as He was. “ By Grace ye are saved through Faith…it is the gift of God.” New covenant, remember? We can’t work out our passage to heaven because we’re not sinless. The sacrifice was required, and the sacrifice had to be pure, without blemish, perfect. The only one who qualified was Jesus of Nazareth.
The new covenant is salvation by grace. Grace is totally a gift from God, unearned, unmerited , accepted with gratitude. Even faith in that grace is a gift from God.
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness”. God, through Jesus and the cross, is the only path to heaven available to us. Works won’t get you there. There are going to be some admirable people, people we’ve looked up to and tried to emulate, in hell. For eternity.
So where does Work come into it? Work is what we do for God in gratitude. We're told that faith without works is dead, and we’ve turned our faces away from death. Speak boldly of God, proudly about Jesus and exercise gratitude for the grace that has been shown us. Be ye kind to others, forgiving, encouraging, comforting. God uses us to administer a loving hug, a comfortable pat on the shoulder, a kind word, a promise of Christ, and it can be a powerful witness for God.
We won’t all go on the mission field, but we all go to the grocery store and Dollar General and among our neighbors and a kind word in God’s service can be just as powerful in Mesquite, Texas, as it is in Lima, Peru.

Don’t judge that other driver who nearly sideswiped you, because you don’t know what he’s dealing with. Generosity of spirit is a work of faith. A kind word at the right moment may be all that’s needed to get a grip and hang on–for both of you. And thank God, praise Him, glorify His name, often and for everything. Stay alert, and keep checking the eastern sky. Keep looking UP, keep listening for trumpets, keep preaching and and telling of Jesus’ return, and eagerly looking for it.
He’ll be here soon.

Rev. 5 6-10

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The Old Testament covenant with God is The Law. The Law is a stern schoolmaster, pointing at you and me and saying “You fail! You are stupid and incapable and you can’t be saved!”
The New Testament covenant involves faith in Christ Jesus and in the grace of God. Grace says “You pass that test because you believe Jesus and repent your sins. ”God doesn’t see our sins after we are saved. He sees the face of His beautiful son. Our sins are erased, they cease to exist. This is our new covenant with God. It is a vast improvement over the old covenant with the Law!

The old covenant was awash in the blood of hundreds of animals. Their blood was shed several times a day, and it got all over everything and everybody involved in the actual sacrifices. The cleanup must have been daunting, and I don’t even want to speak of
the smell !!
But then Jesus stepped up, went to the cross, and died for the sins of all men, past, present and future. And since He was perfect and sinless, He made that crimson tide unnecessary, and pointed out its uselessness. The blood of animals never saved anybody, it pointed to the true Sacrifice of the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world”. Of who? The world. Everybody.

The new covenant is vastly superior in every way to the old one, thanks to Grace. The writer of books like Hebrews and Galatians, etc., tell us to stay with the new covenant. Don’t turn back to the past, don’t step out of the light of Grace. Trust Jesus for everything.
“With prayer and thanksgiving make your wishes known to God.”
Praise and thanksgiving are God’s right, and it is for us to praise and thank Him several times a day. Much easier and more pleasant than sacrificing sheep and calves and goats.!
Keep your eyes on the eastern sky, and keep looking up. Keep listening for trumpets. Greet Jesus with joy and praise.
He’s coming back. SOON !

Revelations 6:1-6 Beginning of Sorrows all with one solution found in the only begotten Son of God the Father

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (Jesus)
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Jesus)
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. (More places in the world have given up on peace and are starting to rely on violence and mob rule. Not just wars but violent demonstrations.)
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. (Worlds Legal system is wounded)
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Our world economic collapse is beginning.)

It is clear that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—the first four seals—parallel Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24:4-8, which ends with the words, "All these are the beginning of sorrows."

Our Savior is letting us know that deception, violence, scarcity, and disease are only preludes to the catastrophic events of the last days. We could paraphrase His remark as, "These calamities are par for the course under man's civilization—far worse is yet to come."

Our world today has all the problems, Deception, Scarcity Disease, and violence. Just watch the evening news. And Matthew 24 tells us this is only the beginning of sorrows. But the good news is, when serious calamities happen, the saved will be raptured out of this world.

How many times do you say “That's a lie” when you watch television?
How many things are no longer available for you to purchase, visit, or enjoy?

How many new diseases, and the return of old diseases once thought controlled, have plagued the earth over the last 5 years?

How many people have lost their lives to senseless violence in the last five years?
Has violence increased in the world, in your state, in your city, in your neighborhood, in your home?

The man on the white horse is preparing His horse to ride in and conquer all the beasts of this world system and put things right again.
If that means nothing to you, go to a bible teaching church. Thank you, Lord.

Colossians 1: 15-19

15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16] for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for him.

17] And He is before all things and by Him all things consist.

18] And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre- eminence.

19] For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell;

Paul’s letter to the Colossians restated and emphasized Jesus’ place as the only begotten Son of God, preeminent, above the angels.

The Creator. There was a heresy called Gnosticism that was being spread to try to demote Jesus and deny His right to be worshiped.

In verse 15 He is proclaimed as God’s visible image, and in 16 & 17 He is called the reason everything was made. This truth is restated several times in Scripture, John’s gospel being the best remembered.

He is the head of the church, the head of the Body of our lives.” It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” It is undeniable, you can’t misunderstand it. All worship goes to God and His Son . Those who deny this truth should take it up with God, and good luck!
We who proclaim salvation as being available only through the Cross are justified by verses like this and we hold to this truth in the face of everyone who tries to deny it. We will continue to do so until Jesus returns.
Keep praising and glorifying God. Keep putting His Son, Christ Jesus, at the head of your life, as your leader and guide and protector.

Keep looking UP. Keep listening for trumpets. Keep preaching, and witnessing and glorifying God. Keep His commandments Tell your stories, especially your personal stories about the goodness of God in your life. Tell them to each other, and tell them to unbelievers.

He’s coming back! Soon. In the eastern sky, summoning us home

Hebrews 3:1-6
Donna Kennedy 5-29-22
3 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Now go to Deut:14-2….”thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God & the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself Above all the nations that are upon the earth.”
In our lesson today Israel was poised to occupy the Promised Land as they should have done 40 years earlier. Moses, nearing the end of his life, rehearsed the events of the exodus & retaught the law to the new congregation & emphasized the statement of Israel’s special place in the world. Move forward 2000 or 3000 years and the writer of Hebrews is doing much the same thing. The Christians of that day, like now, have a place in God’s plans. We have an important mission- to witness, preach and pray, & worship. We are set apart. We bring a special separate mission. We aren’t supposed to “blend in”. We are supposed to be loving, and forgiving but we are not supposed to tolerate sinful behavior? How do we know what to do, what to say?
Same way. That’s how the faithful have always done it.
Who are the faithful The ones who follow God's commandment. The book of Hebrews has a long list of names of the faithful, and Moses is prominent on that list. Moses was the prophet through whom God transmitted messages to the Israelites. We are the voices He uses to preach to the unbelieving world
You're not responsible if you witness someone and they don't respond. I AM responsible for an unbeliever to whom I failed to give the plan of salvation. I funked it, blew her off, and 40 years later it still haunts me. I’m ashamed. I repent. I have no excuse. I’ll have to answer for that.
We are set apart. Our job is to bear witness. Don’t fall down on the job. Witness! Speak the truth boldly Listen for the trumpets. Keep looking UP, and keep your eye on the eastern sky. Rejoice and praise God, and greet Messiah with joy.
The Messiah is coming back. Soon!

Devotional 5-22-22
Genesis 17:1-8 KJV

Genesis 17:1-8

Abraham learns that truth only comes from God. Today men have used a man devised version of the truth that suits their needs and purpose. That is why so many people today say, “Your Truth is not my Truth.” But there is only one Truth, and it is God’s Truth.

All three major religions have used their version of the Truth in various forms so they can incorporate Abraham into their personal plan when they should be incorporating God’s plan into their life.

For Islam, they put Abraham into a chain of prophets that starts with Adam and ends in Mohamad.
For Jews, they Point to Abraham as the founding father for their unique relationship with God.
The Christians, some in name only, see Abraham as the spiritual progenitor for all true believers.
The focus of all three groups should be on the Truth that God shared with Abraham and not on the man Abraham. When you bring man up to the level of God you do a great disservice to God and risk spreading false teachings. When you rely on the source of all truth, God, and His holy word, Bible scriptures, you will always be on a stable foundation.
Because Abraham believed God, it was counted as righteousness and he received a worldly reward, father of many nations, that would have effects in the eternal world yet to come. It was a covenant from God to Abraham. It was an unbreakable bond from God to Abraham.

1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Was Abraham perfect? Are any men perfect? How can we be perfect in God’s eyes?

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Because Abraham listened to God and believed, he was chosen to become the father of many nations.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Abraham worshiped God with complete faith that what God said was totally true and because he did this his reward was to become the father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

Abraham was the point of Truth in the Jewish Nation where all things in relationship to God were begun. God made a promise that He keeps even today no matter if the Jewish Nation fails to keep their part of the covenant or not, God will always keep His promise.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

God declares that the Jewish Nation will be given a certain area of land that they will always have as their own and He will always be their God. If God said it, you can rely on it as the truth forever.

Psalms 107:1-8
107 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
The thing most Christians are best at is hiding their spiritual identity. Why are we so bad at praising God publicly!?. It’s not that hard. We say “Thank you , God for your many blessings.” no one is going to shoot at us, or haul us off to jail. But we act like it is a secret, guarded carefully. Instead it Should begin and end every prayer.

We approach prayer time with a shopping list: Get me…give me..help me, make it so–oh, the ever popular ‘sic ‘em’! Sad.
Especially here in America, we are blessed with gifts beyond any other nation, ever. We are prosperous and protected. For 200 years we were sheltered by 2 large oceans, and between these oceans we have enjoyed freedom, safety, and plenty. We can disagree with each other then turn shoulder to shoulder to face a mutual threat. We worship God without fear, and we arrange our lives mostly to please ourselves. Our children grow up free and fearless because of men and women in uniform, and because of the blessings of God.

We are redeemed by God’s grace, and we are blessed for the same reason–grace. SO why not say so!? Why not say out loud “THANK YOU dear Lord!” “ Bless the LORD O my soul.” It’s pleasing to God and good for you. Yes, it’s beneficial to Christians to remind themselves and each other constantly who is the Author of all our blessings.
One of Israel’s biggest and most frequent sins was ingratitude. They constantly forgot how much they owed to God. And why. The feeling seemed to be “That was then. This is now.”
We do that, too, but we shouldn’t. God's gifts are so generously and freely given we should be continuously grateful. Loudly proclaiming His mercy and grace.
As we wait for Jesus’ promised return, we should fill the skies with our gratitude. It’s not shameful or foolish, it's good for you ,

God’s commandments are good for you.

Keep looking UP. Keep listening for trumpets. Keep praying To God, and keep Praising His Holy Name .Messiah is returning.

SOON.

https://youtu.be/V2NpiFFX7Is

Talk with Jesus

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Jude 11-13 devotional 4.24.22
Jude 11-13

Today's devotional includes some fun words and past lesson-based learning opportunities that point us toward the Truth we always find in scripture but do not always understand on the first reading. It also helps to read the entire book of Jude and the supporting books of the Bible for more complete understanding.

11. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

In verse 11, Jude is explaining to fellow Christians through remembrances of lessons learned in the past that there are many hazards in life we need to think of when we make choices.

“The way of Cain.” is bringing back to their memory the bad choices made by Cain in the killing of his brother Abel. What was the “Way of Cain?”
The way of Cain refers to any individual who attempts to approach God on his or her own terms rather than on God’s terms.

“Error of Balaam.” God spoke to Balaam and granted him the power to show the power of God. Numbers 22:6, So, was Balaam good or evil? He chose to use God’s blessing for his own reward because his heart was not on God but on the world. He was a false profit that would do things his way because he thought he knew better than God.

“Gainsaying of Core.” Throughout History there have always been people who creep into the church and engage in the gainsaying of Core: coming against the Word of God. Core, a close relative to Moses, was unwilling to face Moses directly. Instead he spread his disgruntlement to others, convincing men of renown to outnumber and rise up against the man of God. When you say things about a person to gain a personal advantage over them, it is gainsaying for selfish reasons.

All 3 of these examples were given to show that If we make choices to not listen to God, place our personal views above the commands of God, or think we are equal to or better than God, we will suffer a fall we can not survive.

We see this further explained in verse 12 and 13. When we stand by and see God’s will, His Church, and His statutes being twisted for personal gain in our world today and then we stand by and say or do nothing to remedy this situation, then we have not been faithful or obedient servants for God.
f you want to see the results of this path, then watch the nightly news today. We did nothing to stop the creeping in of levin into God’s perfect plan. We have become that comfortable frog in the pot of ever warmer water until we find ourselves completely cooked. Or if you will allow it, we croak.
But because of the Grace of God, it is an easy fix. Because God is faithful to forgive, all we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us and yield over to the perfect plan of God.

He is risen!!

https://youtu.be/Wo70EvrXDBc

It's Friday, But Sunday's Comin' Provided to YouTube by CDBabyIt's Friday, But Sunday's Comin' · Ron HamiltonSongs of Home & Heaven℗ 2006 Majesty Music, Inc.Released on: 2006-10-15Auto-gener...

Peace, safety, and security, at what price

What nobody seems to realize is that whether one supports the regulation of ghost guns or not, the increasing use of government by executive order is neither healthy for the country, our democracy, nor in compliance with the intent or substance of our governing documents. It injects a foreign substance into the body of rule by law. It is leaven added to the lump of humanity by fear, discontent, and frustration. It is a social/emotional pandemic that will come for all of us.

And perhaps the most important, precedent is established, and each succeeding administration is more inclined to use executive orders instead of the messy but inclusive and democratic process of legislative enactment. Humanity always wants an easy solution with instant successful results.

As a people, we are sliding over toward total dictatorial authority. And nobody seems to notice or object to the progression, particularly when they like the result. But just wait for the next administration, which will use the same power for different results. We the people are the frog in the pot of water and the water is getting warmer faster than ever. And we just enjoy the warm inviting comfort of the water. Before we notice, we will all be cooked.
Those who remained silent for executive orders they liked will rue the day they stayed silent.
What we are seeing is the new shape of the world which is getting closer to the world where all people will say we want someone that will rule the world in strength even if we have to give up a few personal freedoms. We would rather have peace, security,and safety by giving up control of the people by law, to control of the people by one individual’s authoritarian dominance over the entire world. No more violence, no more hate, free medical, free food, for all the people of the world. We want the bucket full of problems of this world to be solved with the stroke of a pen as in executive world order. That will be the exact promise the Antichrist will give to the world and for a short time it will seem that he has managed to fulfill that promise. But it will be a false euphoric sense, a true world illusion, a physical mirage that will vanish in the darkness of night and the deepest evil pit from which it came. The ultimate solution will come soon after and we will see truth, love and Light rule the day through Jesus Christ, the only answer to a world Utopia.

Happy Easter with Christ being the center of your life here and after.

God and God Alone

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.
Psalm 95:6-7

There’s a philosophy blowing around the Church that we should worship God because of what it does for us. This philosophy shows up in some of our modern songs. Other times the idea may come from our pastors or worship leaders: “Let’s praise the Lord and worship Him, for worship breaks down our barriers, removes our chains, conquers the enemy, brings our hearts from the dust, and wins our victories.”

Recommended Reading:
Psalm 95
Those things may truly be byproducts of worship, results which God ordains for our benefit; but they are never the reason for our worship. We worship God for who He is—the eternal Creator, robed in light, crowned with glory, transcending the universe, yet loving His creation. We praise the three-in-one God for His inexpressible greatness and His endless layers of infinite qualities. We worship and bow down before the Lord our Maker.

Yes, as we worship Him, our own hearts are restored. But never confuse the byproducts with the reason. The reason is—God and God alone!

Let everything that lives reserve its truest praise for God and God alone.

Phill McHugh, “God and God Alone”

Ephesians 2:5-13
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands.
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

In the book of Ephesians, Paul is still fighting the perception among Jews that gentiles were not equal under God’s grace. Jesus fought this same issue during His earthly ministry, and Paul, who first took the message of salvation to gentiles , continually emphasized that God’s grace and love are available to all who ask.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. …..At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who were far off were made nigh by the shed blood of Christ.”

Ironically there is a current belief that the jews had their chance and blew it, now salvation is out of their reach. None of this is true. God’s grace is free and gladly extended to all who ask. You can’t be too sinful to be saved. You need only repent your sins, confess them, and take Jesus as your savior and Lord. Doesn’t matter who or what you were before. God has room for us all.
After you place Jesus at the head of your life, He organizes that life to bring you the ultimate peace and serenity possible on earth.
Our lesson is on how carefully the Israeli camp was organized so it could be moved quickly and efficiently and set up with the least amount of chaos and trouble, God is the source of order.
Satan loves chaos. He thrives in mess and confusion and ignorance. Marital strife, sibling rivalry, disobedience to parents, war itself, these are fertile ground for the devils work.

“ Let all things be done decently and in order” Paul told the Corinthians and it is good advice.

Get your house in order. Organize your thoughts, discipline your feelings, and adjust your behavior around what is pleasing to God. Take care of business with Christian behavior. It pleases God. It benefits you and all the people around you. It is an EXCELLENT witness of a Christian life.
Remember that your life and how you conduct that life is a powerful witness. Order, peace of mind, a feeling of safety, and joy in hope–are what most people want. Be positive about the beauty of a life lived in Christ, and “Be ye kind, one to another, tenderhearted, and forgive one another, even as God or Christ’s sake has forgiven you” [Ephesians 4:32
Keep looking up, searching the eastern sky. Keep praising and giving thanks to God and keep listening for trumpets. Remember God is still in charge, and Jesus is coming back,
SOON