Year: 2011

Peace Within

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Emefa is the middle name of my oldest daughter. This is an African name given to a girl. It is a name that is quite popular among the Ewe, Mina people of Togo and Ghana. The meaning of the name is “peace within” and speaks of the prince of peace coming to live in our heart. The only true and lasting peace to be found in this world is found in Jesus Christ. Even before Jesus was born, it was prophesied that he would bring peace (Isa. 9:6; Ps. 72:7). At Jesus’ birth the heavenly host announced that he would bring peace to earth (Luke 4:18). Throughout Jesus’ ministry he brought peace to others. 1. He interpreted his preaching as a mission of peace (Luke 4:18). 2. He taught his disciples that they could know peace in a world of tribulation (John 16:33). 3. He instructed his disciples to spread peace (Luke 10:5). 4. In times of despair, he brought peace to his disciples (John 14:1 – 2). 5. He promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit would …

Simply Redeemed

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Let me begin with the chorus of a beautiful song written by Heather Headley entitled Simply Redeemed: While I was yet in my transgressions Somebody paid the price for me I offered up my life to Him And now I say again I am not perfect Simply redeemed We are simply redeemed. Look at what Paul says to this effect… Ephesians 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Here is an outline of this truth in chapter 1 of Eph. Ephesians 1 HE BLESSED US – with every spiritual blessing. Whatsoever I need spiritually he has already provided. HE CHOSE US – we were worthless when he chose us… if he loved you while you were playing in your dirt, how much more does he love you now that you belong to him? But, you must understand that his goal is that you become like him. HE LOVED US – to shower his affection upon us! HE PREDESTINED US – we have been set apart from our mother’s womb. HE ADOPTED …

Follow Me… the Master calls

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Jesus gave the command “Follow me” to many. He gave this command to Philip, the spiritual seeker (John 1:43). He gave this command to Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who were fishermen (Matt. 4:19). He gave this command to Matthew, the hated and traitorous tax collector (Matt.9:9). In responding to this command, Matthew gave up a comfortable job butfound a destiny. He lost a good income but found honor and self-respect. He lost financial security but found spiritual security. He gave this command to the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:21). Because he had great riches, and because they had first place in his heart and life, he declined our Lord’s invitation and went away lost. Today He is calling you… Check out the lyric of this old song: Softly and gently He’s calling Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me; see, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and for me. Come home, come home; ye who are weary come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, …

Amazing Grace!

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From time to time we do a hymns in our church… and our people love it! Other times we either tag one at the beginning or at the end of the service just in case. But for two weeks in a row I decided to do amazing grace for no reason at all. Well, there is a lady who just started coming to our church with her three kids. Two months ago, her soon to be husband was killed in an accident and “Amazing Grace” was his favorite hymn. So every time I do the song, she would just begin to cry and cry and cry. Well, her son told her that the pastor is just trying to torture by singing that song every sunday and she told him, no, he doesn’t know that it was your dad’s favorite song. Last week, her uncle brought her up to me for prayer after church because she had attempted to take her own life the night before. Just before we prayed, I asked her – have you given you …