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My Darkest Day

4/9/2016

Let me tell you what lead up to that darkest day.

In June on a warm summer day I married my high school sweetheart. We were so much in love, so excited about the future.

I already a good job and an apartment and together we started our new life. In just a few months we received the news that we were going to have a baby. Christmas took on a new perspective as we celebrated the birth of Christ we began looking forward to the birth of our own child.

We began to stock up diapers, bottles and all the things that will be needed to bring a baby into your family. The future looked bright as we planned together for this new little life that would soon arrive. That bright future turned very dark in just a few short hours.

At seven months into the pregnancy something went terribly wrong. There was blood and water and excruciating pain. We quickly made a panic filled drive to the emergency room. My wife was rushed away and I felt a fear that I had never experienced in my life. My wife was dying along with my unborn child.

The medical staff was doing everything that could be done but this was not going to be a day filled with sunshine but one that would become the darkest day of our life. The doctor walked into the waiting room to inform me that they had done all that could be done. That they could not stop the labor and that my wife had given birth to a very small premature baby boy. My wife was going to be okay but the baby although alive at the moment would not survive.

I entered the room to be with my wife and they brought that little tiny bundle wrapped in a blanket and placed him in her arms. We named him Jason and for just a few short hours we held our first born son. That day of his birth that we had so looked forward to had now become the darkest day of our life.

We have faith in the resurrection and know that our son went directly to heaven.
On that day when God watched His Son die on the cross darkness also covered the earth for three hours. The penalty of sin was death and only through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord will anyone see heaven. What gives me hope is knowing that God knows my pain, and offers His amazing comfort that can only be found in Him. Only Jesus can bring hope and healing into your darkest day.

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Choose Life

2/12/2016

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On January 22, 1973 the United States Supreme Court struck down every state law nationwide that restricted abortions. Through that decision a door was open that made abortion on demand for any reason throughout all nine months of pregnancy the law of the land. For 43 years abortion has been a legal right that has resulted in the deaths of over 57 million innocent unborn children.

Many religious people consider this to be a political issue while many politicians consider this to be a religious issue. I want to mention that according to what the Bible says, it seems that God also has something to say about this issue.

In Deuteronomy 30:19 the people are encouraged to make a choice. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”

In 1984 President Ronald Regan established Sanctity of Life Sunday as the third Sunday in January to coincide with the anniversary of the infamous decision made by the Supreme Court. Why the sanctity of human life?

-We Are Created In God’s Image
In Genesis we read that God created man in His image and breathed into him the breath of life. Man is not just another animal but a unique creation of God that not only was made in His image but received the breath of God to receive life.

-God Has A Plan For Your Life
Psalm 139 tells us that God saw us being formed in our mother’s womb and from the moment of conception God had a plan for our life. Ephesians mentions that we are God’s workmanship or masterpiece and that He has things planned for us to do.

When God says to “Choose Life” it means that we are to trust God’s Word as being true.
Proverbs 6:17 tells us that God considers hands that shed innocent blood as being something He hates.
How much more innocent can you be than to be an innocent unborn baby? God does not hate the sinner but God does hate the sin. God wants us to “Choose Life”. To truly “Choose Life” is to choose to accept Jesus Christ as “the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

How can a person really
“Choose Life”? You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land
(Deuteronomy 30:20). If you have been wounded by abortion or any other sin God offers forgiveness and healing through Jesus Christ. God loves you and wants you to “Choose Life”.

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God’s Plan For Your Life

10/12/2015

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

God has revealed in is Word that He has divine plans for you and me. Many of the troubles that we encounter in this life happen because we either don’t know God’s plan or we have chosen to ignore God’s plan, thinking that we have a better one. Let me share one of the areas that God has revealed the plans He has for us, plans for good, plans to give you a future and a hope.

God has a plan for your Spiritual Life. Jesus revealed this plan very clearly when He said “You must be born again”. No amount of good deeds, no religious affiliation can put you in right standing with God. Only being born again spiritually can accomplish this. Jesus went on to say, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man can come to the Father except through Me.” God’s plan to provide salvation for you and me is only by and through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul explained it by saying, “If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord you will be saved.”

This is the most important part of God’s plan for your life. If you don’t understand and accept this part of God’s plan none of the rest really matters. Accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will determine where you will spend eternity.
There really is a heaven and there really is a hell. Because of sin every man is condemned already. God’s plan of redemption is a good plan that gives us a future and a hope.

Notice that this plan God has for your Spiritual Life is focused on you and I accepting God’s plan of salvation which is completely dependent on accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Finding a good Bible believing church is important but that can’t save you. Being a good moral person is something we all should strive for but that can’t save you. Giving to the poor is commendable but that does not open heaven for you. God’s plan is for you to accept His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is the only way to be born again spiritually and begin your new life with God.

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Why are There So Many Hypocrites?

7/31/2015

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The word hypocrite as used in the Bible is a term that comes from ancient Greek theater, where one actor would often play two parts. When saying something humorous, he would hold up a mask with a smiley face; when playing a tragic part, he would hold up a mask with a sad face. A good actor could imitate the speech, mannerisms, and conduct of the character he was portraying. The word literally means, “One who hides behind a mask.”

Real Christians Are Forgiven Sinners. There’s a difference between being a sinner and being a hypocrite.

1 John 1:8 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

A hypocrite, or one who wears a mask, claims to be free from faults. A Christian, on the other hand, freely admits the fact that he or she is a sinner.
The next verse, 1 John 1:9 describes the difference between a hypocrite and an honest sinner:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
A forgiven sinner consistently seeks cleansing from sin.

The real church is not a meeting place of super saints but a hospital for sick and hurting sinners. To keep from being a hypocrite be quick to admit that you are a sinner who needs forgiveness.
Since Christians are not perfect, it follows that churches are not full of perfect people. That’s one of the things I like about New Hope Community Church. We’re a church full of forgiven failures. We are the perfect place for imperfect people.

Real Christians Are Not What They Used To Be. Some of you may look at a Christian and wonder why they behave a certain way. Instead of focusing on how far people fall short, why not think about how far they’ve come?

Real Christians Are Becoming What They Will Be. A real Christian will become perfect one day. That perfection will not be complete until we are with Christ.

What’s the difference between being a Christian who still messes up from time to time and being a hypocrite? A Christian who still messes up, who falls and sins will admit that they have sinned. They will be quick to ask for forgiveness. They will desire for the Lord to continue to complete the good work that He is doing in their life. A hypocrite will put the mask on and pretend like everything is okay when they know that they are sinning put won’t admit it.

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What Do We Agree On?

4/16/2015

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        In a community that has over 30 churches people often ask why so many different churches. Of course the people who attend these different churches all have reasons why they think that their particular church is unique. Some churches have a long established history in this community such as Crossroads United Brethren Church that just celebrated 150 years of ministry in this community. That is quite impressive seeing that the city of Charlotte is just 152 years old. Then you have several smaller churches that have begun in a home or a rented building that are only a few years old.
New Hope Community Church falls in between with our church being 42 years old. One of my goals has been to connect with other pastors and churches in our city who have a similar vision to reach the lost and hurting.

        For many years as I was trying to make this connection I kept running into more of a spirit of competition than cooperation. Many churches would not become involved in activities with other believers unless it was going to directly benefit their own church. I had pastors refuse to become involved unless the activity was happening at their church or they had to be the keynote speaker.

        Let me say that in the last few years I have seen a greater spirit of cooperation than ever before. Several pastors from this community have been meeting together on a weekly basis for several months to pray, to plan and to believe that God wants to see the lost saved and the hurting healed. They are believing for a spiritual revival to sweep through this community that will change lives and entire families for eternity.

How did this change come about? We began to focus on what we do agree on, such as these basic beliefs:

   -There is One True God who has revealed Himself as God the   Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

   -The Bible is the inspired word of God and that only is what we use for doctrine.

   -That the only way of salvation is through believing and accepting Jesus Christ by faith. That Jesus was crucified, died for our sins, was buried and rose bodily from the grave three days later and then ascended to the Father.

   -That Jesus is coming again and that both the righteousness and the unbelievers will receive rewards. The righteous everlasting life with God, the unbelievers everlasting life in torment.

    Together these fellow pastors are praying that the true church of born again believers will have one voice that will point the lost and the hurting to find salvation and healing in Jesus Christ.

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Will You Show Courage or Be A Coward?

2/25/2015

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“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:42-43

How will you live your life? Will you live your life for the praise of men
or for the praise of God? When Jesus
was speaking here this was the climax of three years
of teaching, healing, miracles and we read that many
believed in Him but they did not confess Him.

Let me make it very clear that you can believe in Christ and not be a Christian. You can believe in Jesus Christ but not be saved. We just read that many believed but they would not confess Him for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!” James 2:19.

There is more to being a Christian than just saying you believe. To believe is something that you can just keep to yourself. Many wrongly think that your relationship with God is something that you keep to yourself. The Word of God never teaches this. Here is what Jesus said

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33.

Tithing is an outward confession that God has your heart. Jesus said where your heart is so is your treasure. When a person is tithing it is a public confession that God has first place in your life.

How can we confess the Lord in our life?

-Repent and be baptized.
On the Day of Pentecost when Peter was asked what shall we do? His answer was
“Repent and let everyone of you be baptized” Acts 2:38.

-By how we walk and how we talk.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (NLT).

Thoughts become words and words become actions. How you walk and talk plays a huge part in confessing Christ.
Bravely live for Him!

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A Christ-less Christmas

12/12/2014

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I grew up in a home that never prayed before a meal, never prayed before going to sleep, never once as a family did we attend church. My parents were good people and lived their lives in a way that most would consider upright and moral. But Christ was not a part of our home or upbringing. We were not anti-church or Christ it was just not a part of our life.

When Christmas came as a very small child we did the Santa Claus thing. Pictures with Santa, the gifts under the tree came from Santa. We even left out cookies and something to drink for Santa when he came by to drop off the gifts Christmas eve while we slept. But Christmas was Christ-less. It seems like there may have been some angels as part of the decorations, snowmen, elves, mistletoe and such but there was no Christ in Christmas.

I remember as a child around 10-12 years old, watching the Peanuts Christmas Special with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the whole gang. Linus gets up on the stage and proceeds to share a portion right out of the bible Luke chapter 2.

Linus says To Charlie Brown,
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, it is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

The words of Linus, the Word of God touched something in my child’s heart. There was something more to Christmas than all the glitter, the tree, the presents. I still didn’t really know what it was but I knew something was missing from Christmas. It would be many more Christmas’s before I came to realize that for my entire life I had celebrated a Christ-less Christmas.

I know that this has become a cliche' but, “Jesus is the reason for the season”. Christmas is about celebrating that God sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the gift of God that I pray you will receive and make a part of your life now and for the entire year.

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Belief Verses Behavior

9/25/2014

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I want to share with you today something that is so important it can affect your life here on earth and how and where you will spend eternity. It is the issue of Belief verses Behavior. This issue is a concern because so many people put such an emphasis on what they believe. To so very many it is all about belief. As long as you have belief that is all that really matters.

Yet there are so many others that behavior is the major issue. What you say and what you do is really the most important issue of all. They say it really doesn’t matter what you believe but it is your behavior that matters.

Take a look at this Harris Poll conducted in November 2013:

74% Say they believe in God.

68% Say they believe in heaven.

68% Say they believe that Jesus is the son of God.

65% Say they believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

58% Say they believe in the Devil and in Hell.

The issue that I see here is that 74% of Americans say they believe in God but it sure does not seem like 74% are living their life is such a way that their belief affects their behavior.

But I know of a place where 100% of those surveyed claim to believe in God. I am not talking about just any god but I am talking about the one true God, the Creator, the Redeemer. In James 2:19 we read “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble.”

Every demon in Hell and on Earth believe in the one true God. There is no question about it, there is no debate about it. This one true God became flesh and dwelt among and his name was called Jesus just as the angel Gabriel declared.

This was not just some baby born in a manger but a Savior was born and His name is Jesus. The demons of Hell know who Jesus is. The demons in Hell believe that there is one true God and Savior. That belief in the one true God affects the behavior of every demon on earth and under the earth.

Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

At the name of Jesus every knee of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth will bow. The demons of Hell have a belief and it affects their behavior. They tremble and bow before God. How does your belief in God affect your behavior?

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Six Reasons I Don't Need Church

5/2/2014

MOST CHURCHES ARE FILLED WITH HYPOCRITES

ALL MOST CHURCHES WANT IS YOUR MONEY

THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE
THAT GO TO CHURCH THAT LIVE WORSE LIVES THAN I DO

MOST CHURCHES FEEL THEY ARE
THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RIGHT

MOST CHURCHES SAY THEY CARE BUT THEY NEVER SHOW IT

THE CHURCH HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING FOR ME

If you’re like most people I know, you probably agree with most of the reasons that I gave for not needing church. In fact, you probably have a few more reasons that could be added.

For years every time someone approached me about going to church my response was basically the same. I would blast them with my six reasons and then this “church person” would leave me alone. I found out that most “church people” had no good reply to my reasons of why I did not need church.

There was this one “church person” named Michele. Let me tell you about her. I had known Michele for four years and during that time she had always been faithfully attending church every Sunday. From time to time she would ask me to come and visit her church or to come and attend some special event or meeting that her church was sponsoring. I usually responded by telling her that I was busy or that I had forgotten. But she had to ask me one more time.

I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Michele wasn't what I considered to be your usual “church person.” She was cheerful, outgoing and most everybody seemed to enjoy being with her. But she just had to ask me one more time if I would like to visit her church.

I decided now was the time to blast her with my six reasons why I didn't need church and then just like all the other “church people” she would leave me alone.

Much to my surprise, for everyone reason I gave her for not needing church, she agreed with me! As I went on down through my list she was agreeing with me that each reason was a good reason for not needing church.

I began to feel a little guilty. Personally, I didn't need church but I never tried to talk someone who was going to church into quitting.

I had given her the first five reasons already so I thought, “Why not give her my last reason?” The church has never done anything for me.

Again, Michele agreed with me. Then she simply asked, “What about Jesus?”

No one had ever said that before. They would talk about their church or about all the programs that they offered.

“What about Jesus?” I asked.

Here is her reply. “Randy, every reason that you gave for not needing church is true. It is sad but often true. There are many people who attend church who act and talk one way on Sunday but live quite different the rest of the week.

It is also true that many churches seem to always be making appeals for money. This often happens because the majority of people do not obey God and support God’s work with their tithes.

It is also true that there are some churches who feel that only they are right. While some people stress the differences, most churches agree on about 98% of the fundamentals of the Christian faith. The Christian church as a whole has agreed upon the inspired most charitable endeavors that are currently being done today.

I am sure that it is also true that no local church has ever done anything for you. But I want you to know, Jesus has!

You see the true Church, according to God’s Word, is not a building, and organization, or even a denomination. The true Church is made up of people who have admitted that they have sinned and have asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior of their life. These people are not perfect and they still make mistakes but

After this, all my reasons, my excuses were no longer that important. This time I wasn’t turning away from a church. I had just been introduced to Jesus.

Deep in my heart I knew that only Jesus could fill that void that was in my life.

What about you? After you list all your reasons, then answer this, “What about Jesus?”

Have You Given Up On Church But Not On God?

3/25/2014

This is a question that we recently sent out on a post card to everyone in the Charlotte area. Hardly a week goes by that I don’t talk to someone who use to attend church but for various reasons have given up on church. In just Eaton county alone there are over 80,000 unchurched people.

The reasons given why they have given up on church are varied but it is amazing how many are also similar. Let me just touch on the three most common reasons why so many people have given up on church.

First Reason: The church is filled with hypocrites!

When someone tells me that I will usually agree with them. There are so many people who will faithfully attend a church but when it comes to living a life that honors God in all they say and do, they fall way short. Far too many have slipped into what I call a spiritual coma. They are living life pretty much any old way they want but on Sunday they will awaken from their spiritual coma and attend church. Other than church attendance there is no real difference in the lives.

Second Reason: The church is not meeting my needs.

When I hear that I will sometimes ask them, “What needs are you talking about?” Most of the time they really don’t have an answer but it usually refers to there is something missing in their life, they know they are looking for something but can’t seem to find what is needed to fill that void.

Third Reason: Church is boring!

I have attended some services where I found myself checking the clock wondering, “How much longer?” Every church has it’s own structure and format on how they will hold services. Some are very ritualistic, and structured so that there is little deviation from one service to the next. Others may offer more of a open worship and time of celebration that allows more flexibility in how the service is conducted.

We are striving to be a place where people who have given up on traditional church but haven’t given up on God can find something fresh and authentic. At our church you will find a live band with upbeat music, challenging real life messages and a great kids and teen program.

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MOST CHURCHES ARE FILLED WITH HYPOCRITES

ALL MOST CHURCHES WANT IS YOUR MONEY

THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO CHURCH THAT LIVE WORSE LIVES THAN I DO

MOST CHURCHES FEEL THEY ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RIGHT

MOST CHURCHES SAY THEY CARE BUT THEY NEVER SHOW IT

THE CHURCH HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING FOR ME

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THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE
THAT GO TO CHURCH THAT LIVE WORSE LIVES THAN I DO

MOST CHURCHES FEEL THEY ARE
THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RIGHT