New Hope Community Church - Our Church Blog

What Does God have Planned for America?

1/2/2019

According to the Bible God is able to raise or put down any nation at any time. I believe that God had a plan and a purpose for the founding of America. America has been and still is the envy of the world for all that this country has to offer. We have seen the blessings of God and we have experienced His mercy that brought us through a civil war and two world wars. The falling away from Godly principles and righteous living is a slap to God's face. God declared this promise once before and I believe it can be applied to America, "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14. Please pray for our country to turn once again to God.

Why do some churches require a person to be baptized before they become a member?

12/27/2018

Most churches require a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ before you can become a member. In the Scripture there are several instances where water baptism immediately follow a person's confession of faith. If a church wants to require baptism as a prerequisite to membership, they are actually just making sure that the person has accepted Christ and is willing to make an outward confession through the act of water baptism. I see this as a very important step in showing a true belief and confession of faith. Water baptism does not save a person, but it is an act of obedience and outward confession of an inward belief. The normal process would be to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and accept Him as your Savior and Lord. Followed by water baptism and then committing oneself to a local body of believers through membership in a local church.

I say three, my friend says five. How many wise men came to the manager in Bethlehem?

12/18/2018

Actually, the Bible does not say how many wise men came to see the baby Jesus. According to the Bible, contrary to most of our nativity scenes, there were no wise men from the east at the manger in Bethlehem. They didn’t show up until almost two years later. We don’t know how many shepherds there were either. But this we know, that “God so loved the word that He gave His only Son”. This we know that His name is Jesus, the only name given among men whereby we can be saved”. This is why we celebrate. Have a Merry Christmas!

I have been so hurt by Christian people that I quit attending church. I feel a need to get back into a church but I don’t want to be hurt again. What should I do?

12/12/2018

Sadly, you are not alone. There are many Christian people who are still very immature and self-centered that have hurt those around them. They may have accepted Christ as Savior but need to learn what it means for Him to truly be the Lord over their life. The urge to get back into church I believe comes from God. He wants what the Bibles calls the "members of the body of Christ" to come together. When a member of a body is separated, both the member and the body suffer. Find a solid Bible believing church, talk with the pastor about your concerns, get back into fellowship and realize that Christians are broken people who God is making whole.

Why do people seem to get the "Christmas Spirit" during December but the rest of the year they aren't so nice?

12/4/2018

I know many people who are just as nice during December as they are the rest of the year. But for the rest of those "Christmas Spirit" people, I would say be thankful. Be thankful that their hearts have been touched to act, to say, to do something nice that may seem out of character for them. It is this month that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Christmas Spirit that has touched them may very well be the Holy Spirit who always leads us to do what is right. What a wonderful world this would be if we could all be lead daily by the Holy Spirit.

Why do I always seem to get more depressed during the holidays?

11/28/2018

You are not alone in having to deal with this problem. For some it may have to do with the less sunshine and longer times of darkness. For others it may have to do with the added stress that comes with all the preparations and extra commitments that come with the holidays. But for many it may have to do with expectations. You are expecting certain needs and desires to be fulfilled by family and friends that aren't being fulfilled and then depression sets in. Many times we expect people to meet needs that in all reality only God an fulfill. We have been created to find our fulfillment first and foremost with our Creator. I encourage you to seek a personal quite time and allow the Lord to speak to you and help you through the holidays.

My friend is talking about leaving our church because they don't like the music. They want to sing more old hymns. What should I tell them?

11/26/2018

Church music has changed a lot over the years. The style, has went from all hymns, to hymns with choir, from song leader to worship leader and praise bands. Music is just one aspect of our corporate gathering to praise and worship God. It is a very important portion but a church is also a fellowship, a family of believers. It is a place where truth is shared, lives are changed and people find purpose. If you have a good church don't leave. Get a CD of hymns and enjoy them. Thank God for your church and pray for them daily.

How can I save my marriage? We seem to always argue and fight all the time. Then things are said and done that we both regret.

11/13/2018

God wants to help save your marriage. The bible says that God hates divorce in Malachi 2:16. God doesn’t hate the person who gets a divorce, but He hates what divorce does to the lives involved. Pray for and with each other every day. Get a devotional book for married couples and make it a part of your daily routine. When God is allowed to be the center of your life and your relationship it is amazing what can happen. Find a Christian counselor who will help you as a couple learn how to communicate when you disagree without hurting the other person. Be willing to forgive each other just as Christ has forgiven you.

If there is only one true Word of God, how come we have so many different kinds of Bibles such as the old King James, New King James, New International, New Living Translation, Contemporary English Version and on and on it goes?

11/7/2018

This is an excellent question because we are basing our eternal soul on what we believe to be the Word of God. The writings that we have were originally written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek which were common languages of that time. Over the course of time, the common language spoken and written changed until we arrived at this moment in history. Most reliable versions of today's bibles are the work of numerous scholars who are striving to translate the original writings into the language of today. Most of the different versions will present the same message using different wording trying to convey the timeless truths of God's Word. The main message remains the same: God is the Creator, man disobeyed God and needed a Savior. Jesus is that Savior who died for our sins and rose from the dead. All who believe and receive Him can be saved. God loves us and He wants us to love Him, love each other and share the good news with others.

I don't think church and politics should be mixed. Why do you as a pastor talk about politics?

10/31/2018

You have the right to think what you think but no where does the Bible tell us as believers not to be involved in politics. In fact the Bible mentions how God equips some to be leaders, administrators and that we are to pray for those in positions of government. The Christian church, the true followers of Christ should be the moral compass for our society. When the church, the pastors are silent on moral issues such as abortion, same sex marriages, pornography and etc. then society, political leaders who may not have a Biblical moral compass my make decisions contrary to God's plan. But when every church, every pastor who follows the Bible speaks out, then this moral compass gives Godly direction to our governmental leaders and encourages those in politics to have faith and stand for what is Biblical.