The world is desperately looking for some resolution, some end to the world-wide demise we find ourselves in. There is almost no State in the union that has not been directly impacted by the virus that has spread across our country. We seem in some communities have struggled trying to make heads or tails about what is happening and more so, is this coming to my house. We just don’t know.

The church pews may be empty but our hope is full. there will come a time when the Lord will open up again. There church doors will have greeters and ushers standing there with big smiles, welcomes and programs of the things that you may experience once you come in. But until then we have been placed where we are and where we are is where we are to grow and bloom. Jesus told the woman he met at the well that worship, service and a practical display of Christ has never been limited or restricted to the church building (John 4:22-24). Her thinking of worship at the time was limited to a particular place. But as the Lord can only speak truth, he set her free with his words. He shared with her that worship is a personal expression that ought to be expressed before the presence of the omnipresence of the Almighty God wherever we may find ourselves not just in a facility.

God tells us in Psalm 31:24 we can and ought to be encouraged by the truth of his word. Regardless of our present condition, our God gives us hope in his word which speak of his inability to lie (Titus 1:2). The hope we have will strengthen our heart. So as we face the world today and tomorrow, we can experience it power, love and and with a sound mind. We Have Hope.

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24

Years ago, Pastor Ricks was preaching a message to the congregation assembled at one of the Sunday morning services. In his message, he used the phrase “stay focused”. His intent was to first address the reality that at times our focus can be clouded or distorted based upon immediate situations and circumstances. And secondly, he wanted to redirect our spiritual eyes to the source of our hope and deliverance. Too much of our time is caught up into these things can weaken our faith. As the people of God, we represent a glorious and godly Kingdom.

Israel experienced something similar when the Philistines sought to overcome and takeover (I Samuel 17) them. The Philistines and their champion warrior, Goliath challenged the army of the Lord and a short standoff ensued. The Philistines on one mountain, the Israelites on another and a valley between them. While intimidation and conquer was in the minds of the enemy, fear and doubt gripped the people of God. Their focused was distorted by the size and the immediate threat of the opposing armies.

Our situations may be as real as they are, but we are never to forget but ever be reminded of the God we serve is able to settle our hearts and refocus of faith. As intimating as they are, God is and will always the mighty God who rules, reigns delivers and defends his people – his name sake. True, we are not able to save ourselves or others from every situation, but Eph. 3:20 reminds us God is able. David was told by soldiers in the Lord’s army that he was not skilled enough to challenge the nine-foot warrior of warriors of the mighty Philistine army. They had lost their focus. These were God’s people who had succumbed to the threat before them and lost focus of who they represented. But David had these words for them and these words speak a timeless truth to us today.

"Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” I Samuel 17:37

David demonstrated a level of peace, confidence and authority over the enemy of God. It was not as personal as we may consider but it became personal when God’s name was profaned and people threatened. Regardless of the threat, we are always encouraged that nothing is above the power of our God.

Daily seek the Lord our God to be refocused by the authority we live in which offers us the spirit of power, love and a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7). The Lord will settle us and give us peace that surpasses all human comprehension.

April 19th – Psalm 2:1-12

Until the King of King reigns forever, there will be other Kings and other kingdoms. Some will be mightier than others. But out of all that will be, the Lord God holds there existence. And all but one will be set down. That one being the Kingdom of his dear Son, Jesus.

In this week’s lesson, the Psalmist writes about the everlasting kingdom of the coming Messiah. The Psalm opens with a question, why. Why what? Because, by nature, men/mankind think more of themselves than they ought, it is understandable why they rage. Fame, fortune and power are never enough to satisfy the cravings of a sinful heart. Apart from the grace and judgement of God, these cravings will always lead to destruction. In time, men will seek and devise ways to subdue and control other kingdoms for their own selfish purposes. They even will seek to overthrow the One who reigns supreme (v2). It is inconceivable to believe one  would seriously challenge God, but the depravity and wickedness of an unrepentant heart will.

Study with us this week as we explore how the Lord will set the record straight and bring into place in time his only begotten son (Read Psalm 110).

Next Week’s Lesson – The Solid Rock (Psalm 118)

It has been said that perception is truth. And to some, this is a truth. But what if that perception is built upon a lie, does it still make it truth?

The Lord God of Israel used the Prophet to help encourage his people by being his servant, a messenger of truth. From his vantage point he was permitted to pen some of the most important messages of any of the prophets. Though being burdened with having to hear God’s word firsthand and sharing it to God’s people, Isaiah’s theme was one of deafening – My Hope is Built on Truth!

In spite of all their demise, rebellion, degrees of bondage and illness, Isaiah’s words were words of encouragement through truth. Perception not founded on truth, as persuasive and compelling as it can be, is bondage and deception at its highest level. There is no freedom in lie (John 8:34). Paul the apostle accepted the reality that one’s physical body may be enslaved to the ills of this world, but the truth cannot restrained (II Tim. 2:9).

Perception is nothing more than deception when is is NOT founded or rooted in truth. Let our hope and reality reality and life be built on truth of God’s holy word and be freed of the lies our circumstances that can govern and control our lives.

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.
I, even I, am the Lord, Isa. 43:10, 11

Growing Up In Christ

Good evening. Today is the first run for our Mid-Week Bible study, audio edition. Tonight, Pastor Cason is starting “Lessons On Growing up in Christ” (clink link)

Lessons on Growing Up in Christ is defined to help the seasoned believer and the new babe understand the essentials and fundamentals needed to reinforce their faith in the Lord. Tonight he begins with Growing By Knowing You’ve Saved. Using I John 5:11,12 Pastor Cason shares the basic elements of knowing our salvation.

Study along with us and Pastor Canson tonight in “Lessons on Growing in Christ”.

• And This Is The Testimony
• God Has Given Us Eternal Life
• This Life is In His Son
• Those Who Do Not Have Life

Worshiping the Lord has never be confined or limited to a building. The Lord has given us a building to collectively and corporately assemble, worship, serve and share-in the overall worship and gospel ministry. But in times past when the Saints were not able to meet together what did they do? John 4:23-24

Wherever we are today around noon, let us collectively from our house to yours join together in our weekly time of prayer. As a team, a family we can encourage, exhort and help each other as we process the things we are faced with. Our Lord reminds us to “exhort one another daily” Heb 10:25.

How does one get to “know” someone? My husband and I dated for a long time before we married (29 years ago). Each time we went on a date I would prepare myself – you see, Curtis had this way of presenting stories about family, friends and coworkers that would have me laughing and crying all at the same time. As we moved on, I began to notice that he was well-liked by my family and friends. He loved attending the NASCAR races. He loved his family, he had a job. Never prideful, always willing to help others without ever expecting anything in return. And most importantly, he loved God. It was spending time with him that drew me to him. And so it is with getting to know God. So WHO IS GOD? Lets begin with his attributes. The term “attributes of God” refers to qualities describing God, or characteristics of the divine nature, as God has revealed them to us in scriptures.Taking in consideration,

God’s attributes are unlimited. I want to begin with GOD IS LOVE. The revelation of this truth was the beginning of my growth in faith. I began to realize that Jesus’ love for me was more than I could imagine. One of the first song that a child learned about Jesus is; “Jesus Loves Me” (this I know for the Bible tells me so) In Ephesians 3:17-19, Apostle Paul states“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted in love…..may know the love of Christ which passes knowledge. His love for me and you is pass understanding. This love is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). Another truth that I know about God; No one, no thing, no situation, not even angels, NOTHING CAN separate me from GOD’s love (Romans 8:38-39). It is His love for me that  drives me with a thirst to know Him more and more. One of my favorite songs of long ago is the song, O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO, has consoled me during my times of many heart aches, pain and misery. Getting to know God is to experience his powerful love. You will be all the more anxious to know Him.

Next: God Is Infinite – He is Self-Existing-Without Origin 

Jesus Is The Answer

Invited to of the Lord’s Supper

I Corinthians 11:23-34

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come

We, as Believers are encouraged to obey the Lord’s ordinance of Communion. Communion is the act of remembering the sacrificial death and burial as the only means to satisfy the sin death owed to a holy God. On the night in which he was betrayed by Judas, the Lord sat down with the twelve. He shared with them some of his most intimate details regarding his death and Father’s plan. Even knowing all of what was about to take place, he attempted to comfort and encouraged the men who had followed his ministry over the past three years. They were filled with all kinds of emotions, but the Lord wanted to settle them and remind them that this moment had been told to them all along. On the night before he was crucified, he invited his disciples to partake in what is commonly called, “The Last Supper”.

There are three important elements we abide in when we remember and participate in the Lord’s supper:

• Obedience – According to Paul’s writings to the church at Corinth, he stated, that as often as you eat this bread and drink of this cup, we will be remembering the Lord’s death till he returns (I Cor. 11:26). Faithful obedience to the Lord’s words are the most respectable way to give him glory and honor. It is trusting and obeying him that pleases Him (Heb. 11:6). So when we participate by taking of the bread which represents his broken body and the juice his shed blood we are obeying him, bringing glory to Him.
• Judgement – In agreement with the element of obedience is the need to be judged. Judgement is basically the reckoning of an offense against the rule of authority, in this case it is the authority of the Lord God. God allows us to examine our own life, by comparing it with the life of is son. And in every case, we will come up short. Jesus was in complete obedience with everything his Father (Col. 1:19). So in our willful obedience to judge ourselves, we are offered the opportunity to identify areas of sin, confess them and be reinstated in a right relationship which qualifies us to participate in the communion supper. God holds a separate judgement for the unsaved world.
• Fellowship – One of the greatest witness to the world of the family of God is shown in the fellowship and union that exists among the saints. We are strongly admonished to be in fellowship with each other in the family of God but it can only be done when we are in fellowship with our Father. After we examine ourselves and make things right through repentance and confession, we can truly have fellowship one with another.

The beauty of being in fellowship with each other brings honor to the Lord. Join us as we honor the Lord in worship through participating in the Lord’s Communion. So this resurrection Sunday, wherever you are and with whoever, honor the Lord and remember his death in communion.

Luke 24:13-27

On the day of the resurrection of Christ, the first day of the week, two men traveling on the road to Emmaus had the encounter of their life. While Mary, Joanna, Mary Magdalene were explaining to the eleven the scene of the empty tomb Christ appeared. According to Matt. 28:8-9, The Lord appeared to them to encourage them. Another disciple, Mark records the risen Savior appearing to and two men traveling on a road to another country (Mark 16:9-13).

Leaving Jerusalem, these men had a lot of time to talk for the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, is approximately seven miles. Not our modern day paved roads, they probably had a four hour hike. They had just been participated in the celebration and festivities of the Passover. These two likely renewed some old acquaintances, set up some business deals and just shared their Jewish faith with others. They probably heard or witnessed all the town talk of the men who had been executed just three days prior, in particular the one called the Christ. One interesting point is at some point along the road the Lord, the risen Christ appeared to these two men. Along with others headed back to their respective homes, canavans of people, the Lord singled these out.

As if he was a stranger in a strange land, (for he veiled himself before their eyes) Jesus inquired about the conversation they were having. It was interesting that Jesus asked what they were talking about so Cleopas responded, really? His response lead to them believe that the Lord was going away from Jerusalem because they asked, have you not heard of the things that took place about the Nazarene. Jesus was the talk of the town and for some reason, he appeared to the two, ignorant. Jesus wants us to know what we believe so he asked them to testify of the things they had witnessed. They spoke with details of the trial, the beating and crucifixion. They spoke of the empty tomb as testified by the women. They even spoke of the words that he might have been the One to redeem Israel. Jesus’ ears heard unbelief and disappointment from these two men.

Then the Lord educates them and expounds to them Scriptures, specifically those about him. Hebrews 1 reminds us that the Lord not only wants us to have a head knowledge of scripture, but believe the scriptures. God has chosen to speak to us now through his Son, and anything less than belief is an insult and an act of disrespect to His order. Hence the reason Jesus, called them “foolish” in their unbelief. The two men obviously had an astute knowledge of the Jewish history and the promises of the Old Testament scripitures. But none of that means anything before the Lord if it is not mixed with faith (Heb. 4:2).

Stay Focused – Noon Day Prayer

Wherever you are in our time of “social distancing”, take a moment to join us corporately but at a distance, in prayer. Just because we are not able to meet in prayer we still able to meet before the throne of God to seek his face and give him honor and glory.

We ask you to continue to pray for Pastor Ricks’ full medical recovery and deliverance for all who have been afflicted by the COVID19, for the medical staff attending to him and comfort and peace to his heart of his concern for Sister Vanessa. Pray for healing to all others in the Ricks family, the New Berean family and our extended families for those impacted by the virus. Pray for God’s continued favor for caretaking services for Sister Ricks and Leroy Jr, to be healed.

Thank you all for being patient and available as you have been in you service towards one another as it is pleasing to the Lord. Let us also be mindful of our calling to be a witness for the Lord before the community we live and the people we are associated. Be kindly affectionate, be prayerful, be sensitive. Watch our words and speak them with a thankful heart.

“Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we obtain mercy and find grace to help in a time of need” Heb. 4:16