Scars from the Past August 26, 2016

A young woman wrote to an advice columnist– “I have recently been hired for a job as a counselor for troubled teens. The problem is that when I was in a dark period of my life, I was a cutter, and have deep scars on one arm…how do I handle this now that I’m in the psychology field? it’s hard to avoid with hot summer weather here and my past literally on my sleeve.” She cannot hide the scars of her former lifestyle. Many have deep emotional scars from the past that effect them today and they cannot not let the past go. Listen to these beautiful words about Jesus. “…He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities…” By opening ourselves to the love and forgiveness God offers us we can be healed.” If you have the marks of past indiscretions, please Reach out to Jesus, He’s reaching out to you. I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Death – The Unsolved Problem August 25, 2016

When Time magazine announced that Google, the search giant has launched a venture to extend the human life span, it quoted a popular worldview. “there is no problem that can’t be addressed by the application of liberal amounts of technology, and everything is solvable…” Not surprisingly, while we may now live a little longer, the solution to the death problem was not answered. The Bible, states clearly that, “it is appointed for men to die…” and “the wages of sin is death.” Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” Jesus acknowledged the reality of physical death, because of our fallen nature, but promised that when we believe in Him and what He did on the cross, we receive the gift of eternal life. I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Privacy- An Illusion August 24, 2016

In view of Hillary Clinton’s email problems and their apparent hacking, as Time magazine asserts, “privacy is mostly an illusion.” The rise of technology is revealing information thought to be secret, with video cameras, satellites, drones and, smart phones. While all this can be unnerving, there is something even more sobering. The God of the universe is ever present, all seeing, all knowing. The Psalmist put it this way— “O Lord, you have searched me and known me… and are acquainted with all my ways.” If we’re trying to hide our actions from our Maker, His knowledge of us is frightening. But if we humbly admit our wrong-doing and enter into a personal relationship with God through trusting in His Son, the Lord Jesus, we can enjoy “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” What a state to be in! I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The Bionic Man August 23, 2016

A bionic man has been assembled with 60 to 70% function of humans. It is over six feet tall, steps, sits, and stands. But this bionic man is not alive. Scientists may create a life-like and human-like robot, only God can create living beings. The book of Genesis informs us, “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.” Just as only God can give physical life, He alone can give spiritual life. Paul, in a letter to believers of his day noted that we can be physically alive but spiritually dead. He wrote, “… God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love…when we were dead in trespasses made us alive …” Later speaking of all who receive Christ as Saviour, Jesus promised, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Head in the Sand Mentality August 22, 2016

Surveys show that about 50% of respondents admitted to removing the batteries in their smoke detectors, leaving them inoperable. They are convinced “it could never happen to me.” In like manner, some sadly refuse to accept the truths of the Bible with its cautions and warnings. Jesus called the people of His day to repent and turn to Him, promising forgiveness and eternal life, He said “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life…” But when many rejected His invitation, He warned them, “you will not come to me that you might have life.” Ignoring or denying the danger of not having a working smoke detector doesn’t change anything. And refusing to believe or denying the truthfulness of God’s Word does not change the truth. Remember please that only “the truth shall set you free.” I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Starting Over August 19, 2016

In his best selling book “Come Before Winter and Share My Hope” Dr. Charles Swindoll made the following insightful observation. “To start over, you have to know where you are. To get somewhere else, it’s necessary to know where you are standing.” Perhaps today you are assessing your life, and want to start over. You have finished running and are ready to change your mind about your lifestyle, the next life, and God. If so, it’s necessary to know where you are spiritually. The Bible tells us that we all have a natural tendency to do wrong, and are out of fellowship with God. Paul puts it succinctly, writing, “there is none righteous, no not one,” and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Christ makes it possible for anyone to start over, and have a spiritual re-birth. He said, “You must be born again.” I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Michael Angelo August 18, 2016

Michael, a young boy playing in the streets of Florence, Italy was making beautiful models out of mud. An artist, Domenico Del Ghirlandajo saw the boy’s potential, took him under his wing and taught him. Soon Ghirlandajo sent him on for further studies. Later in life, the grateful Michael gave his old teacher a gift – a beautiful drawing of the Master’s hands which had taught him how to draw. Many have never heard of Ghirlandajo, but most have heard of his student- Michelangelo. This is a picture of how God, the Great Artist, reached down, loved us and made forgiveness possible. Paul wrote of this love- “God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. When we turn ourselves over to Christ, as Bill Gaither’s song says, “He makes something beautiful of our lives.” I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Later than Its ever Been. August 17, 2016

I read recently the unusual story of a kindergarten child who was learning his numbers by counting how many times the clock chimed. Soon he had mastered numbers one to twelve. Then inexplicably, something odd happened. The clock chimed thirteen times. “what comes after number 12 Mommy?” “Thirteen” she answered. “Wow!” exclaimed the child. “It’s thirteen o’clock, later than it’s ever been before!” How good of God to give us this precious gift of time in this life, to get ready for the next life. But we should be careful to heed the warning He gave us when He said, “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.” As we view the current startling, frightening events taking place around the world, it is clear that, “It’s later than it’s ever been before.” Are we ready for the life to come? I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Fear in our Times August 16, 2016

Last month following the racially charged shootings in Dallas, Minnesota and Louisiana the United States, Attorney General, Loretta Lynch said, “Americans across our country are feeling a sense of helplessness, of uncertainty, and of fear.” Her words remind us of Luke’s predictions concerning the final days of this world as we know it. He spoke of “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth…” But if we are Christians, we need not be afraid, since God is ultimately in control of events. When we have Christ in our lives, we can be comforted by Paul’s words to believers, writing, “… God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at our storms. I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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life changing decisions August 15, 2016

Rick Osborne made a decision that changed his life, and many other. Osborne, once one of Canada’s most wanted criminals, was in prison and on the verge of suicide. The Gideons, a Christian organization that distributes God’s Word, placed a Bible in his prison cell. Osborne read it, and made the decision to ask Christ into his life. The result: he was transformed by the power of the gospel. He earned a university degree while in prison. He now travels, speaking to youth about the dangers of gangs, drugs and criminal activity. Go to Truth For Teens on the internet to read his amazing story. Mr. Osborne is a living testimony to the New Testament truth “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” But this is not only for criminals. It is for us all. I’m Alex Rockwell.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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