When the African snake called the spitting cobra spots its prey, it spits and never misses the victim’s eyes. Thus blinded, they become his dinner. This nasty reptile reminds me of a truth found in the Bible. Paul, wrote to the Corinthians, “the god of this age” (Satan) “has blinded the minds”“ of unbelievers “lest the light of the gospel of Christ… should shine on them.” Perhaps as you listen today you are thinking, “how quaint that someone in this day and age still believes in the truthfulness the Bible. Well, that is exactly how the Devil you don’t believe in wants you to think. Paul wrote, “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.”I courteously suggest that you turn to Jesus, the great physician, He will open your blind eyes. He has said, “I have come into the world that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, These are some of the names given to hurricanes which have occurred or will occur. They can cause damage and death. Continually we are warned to be prepared. We are advised to cover window glass with a protective film to prevent shattering, remove all outdoor furniture, pack a safety kit with items you and your family would need to get through 72 hours. Preparedness is always a good idea. And it’s not just in the case of natural disaster, but for life in general and for the spiritual realm in particular. The New Testament reminds us “boast not yourself of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” And the most important preparedness of all is that for the life to come. We are all going to live somewhere forever and we need to be ready. Amos wisely warned, “Prepare to meet your God.” How? By inviting Christ into our lives as our Savior and Protector.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

”One Hundred years from today the Bible will be a forgotten book.” That was the prediction of Voltaire, the famous French philosopher, an atheist. who died in 1778. But the Bible is still the most read, most published, and most translated book in the world. It still changes the lives of those who believe it and apply its teaching.. Voltaire also claimed he had found what he called 45 known facts of science of his day which proved the Bible to be untrue. But a few years ago, a college president, decided to examine Voltaire’s so-called scientific “facts.” He learned that not a scientist of our day would agree with any of the noted atheists’ 45 points. Hebrews chapter 4, verse 12 says, “the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, …and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It is the world’s most amazing Book Read it and obey it. You’ll love what it does in your life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired, I refused no pleasure. I amassed silver and gold.” Those words could have been spoken by many prominent people today, but they are the words of King Solomon. He was the ancient king of Israel and he tased of the good life, and had every opportunity to do so. His tastes were extravagant, his appetites unrestrained. But at the end of the day, he found everything was meaningless. But when he looked to God, he concluded that to fear God and live a God honouring life was the only thing that satisfied and brought fulfillment and happiness. Perhaps you too are looking to pleasure, money or material achievement to find the good life. As with Solomon, only through a proper relationship with God through faith in Christ can this be found. Our only hope for peace, security and eternal life is in Him. Jesus said that He came to this world that we might “have life, and that and…have it more abundantly.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

According to Guiness World Records, the world’s longest kiss lasted 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds and was achieved by Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana Tiranarat (both from Thailand) in Pattaya, Thailand, on 12-14 February 2013. But as astonishing a feat as that, it is not history’s greatest kiss. The Bible tells us in the Psalms , “righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” That “kiss” took place when Christ, the Prince of Peace died on Calvary’s Cross and paid the price to make sinners righteous in God’s eyes. It brought together the truth of God about our sinful condition and the mercy of God. Righteousness and peace, figuratively speaking, kissed each other. The world’s longest kiss no doubt had a major affect on those who kissed. But when the kiss of God took place on the Cross, the whole world felt its affects. If we respond and receive Christ into our lives, it will have an eternal affect on us.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

I looked at the signature of a prominent Islander recently, It was impossible to tell whose it was. And It is estimated that businesses in North America are losing more than 100 million dollars a year because of errors that can be traced to illegible hand writing. These include billing mistakes, poorly written orders, and undecipherable bookkeeping entries. But how good it is to know that God does not give His messages in such a confusing manner. His message, concerning life here and hereafter, is very clearly given. For example- “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Or this, “Christ died for our sins” And really, you can’t get much plainer than the invitation God extends when He says, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It was Will Rogers, actor comedian, philosopher who, speaking honestly said, “My trouble with the Bible is not the parts I don’t understand, but the parts I do understand.” Get the message?

Pastor Alex Rockwell

C.S. Lewis, scholar, novelist and broadcaster is well known for writing Chronicles of Narnia and the Screwtape Letters. He once wrote, “We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God.” And he is correct. Nobody can hide from the Creator. Adam and Eve, after disobeying God in the Garden of Eden tried, but God found them and asked the question, “Where are you”? He asked not because He didn’t know, to confront them with their attempt to hide. And many still try to hide from the Lord. Oh we may not physically hide as our first parents did, but we hide creatively by evading the reality of a personal God through abuse of alcohol, drugs, pleasure seeking and ignoring what we really know to be true. The Bible encourages us to “be still and know the I am God” and warns, “the fools has said in his heart, there is no God.” Yes, we can ignore God, but we can’t evade Him. He knows where we live.

Pastor Alex Rockwell

It has been called “the goal of the century” and” the most famous emotional goal of the century.” It happened 42 years ago on September 28th 1972 when Paul Henderson scored for Team Canada against the powerhouse Team Russia. One would think this kind of achievement would bring real fulfillment and happiness to Henderson, but it did not. He said, “It was only after I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and started living for Him that I found inner peace and tranquility.” He added, “Being a Christian is vibrant, exciting and gives purpose and meaning to life.” That is exactly what the Bible promises to all who sincerely acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy, sine we are all sinners by nature and by choice, and invite Christ into their lives. Paul the Apostle was inspired to put it this way: ”Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell

Here is a Chinese proverb worth remembering. “Ifthere is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. Jesus said” “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Bible also says “Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.”Jesus is the pathway to beauty of soul, harmony in the home, order in the nation, peace in the world. But before these blessings can be ours, we need to become properly related to our Lord. His invitation is still open , “Behold I stand at the door (of our hearts) if anyone hears my voice and opensthe door, I will come in.” Do you desire light in your soul, beauty in your person, harmony in your house? Come to Jesus toda

Pastor Alex Rockwell

A mother took her 8 year old son to a recital by the great pianist Paderewski. Before the program began, she w as horrified to see that her little boy had evaded her and run to the piano and started to play chopsticks. At that moment, the virtuoso came to the platform. But to her surprise, Paderewski leaned over the boy’s extended arms, adding a brilliant set of variations. No doubt it was an unforgettable experience for the boy and his Mom. How like our wonderful Lord. When our life sounds like chopsticks, He surrounds us with His arms, whispers His love and forgiveness and makes melody more beautiful than we could ever imagine. Paul explained it well, when he wrote to the Ephesian believers, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Or as Bill Gaither’s song says it, “He made something beautiful of my life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell