From our Pastor

FAITH

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This epistle, in my opinion, has heavy evidence showing that the Apostle Paul had major influence on it. We do not know who actually wrote Hebrews, but the style definitely indicates Paul's part in it. Paul often connects passages with words such as "therefore." When you come across a "therefore" in Paul's writings, if you have not read what came before that word, I urge you to do so. That way you get the full impact, the full meaning of what the author is really saying. In Hebrews 11:1, we encounter another connecting type word: "Now." This word, also, demands that we back up and read what comes before 11:1. In Hebrew 10:39, the text states, But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. What is the author of Hebrews stating in these two verses? There are those who come to what they claim is faith only to draw back under pressure or under love of the world or other reasons. When we read verse one of chapter eleven, we are given a biblical definition of faith. Walking in faith can be challenging. Make no mistake that Satan does not want you to walk in faith. He wants to destroy your faith. When the enemy attacks, quote Hebrews 11:1!

A Thief, Three Crosses, and Salvation

The universal Church of God has people from nearly every walk of life and from many backgrounds. Some Christians come from solid Christian backgrounds with generations of believers. Chattahoochee Christian Church has members who have been a part of the congregation going back decades. Some Christians come from challenging circumstances. When we consider the make-up of the Church, I like to begin at Golgatha. Golgatha was the hill where Jesus Christ was crucified. On either side of Him hung two career criminals. The biblical text tells us that the two thieves mocked Jesus. But, something happened! Suddenly, one of the criminals stopped mocking and began confessing. He suddenly realized that he was on that cross because of his sins. I believe a miracle suddenly occurred when the thief confessed his sins. His spiritual eyes were opened. He no longer saw the man called Jesus of Nazareth, bloodied, beaten, stabbed. The thief saw GOD. He said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you enter your kingdom." Jesus responded to the thief turned saint, "Truly, this day you will be with me in paradise." I am one of those Christians who was not born into a Christian home, who faced many challenges including becoming a foster child. I witnessed things no child should witness or experience. The wounds of childhood became the flames that led me to abandon faith in my twenties. I have known extreme poverty, alienation from those who cared for me, and worst of all, a period when I rejected God. I live with the scars of those years, and I am not alone. Many people have faced life challenges that have left scars. But, when I hear the whispers from Satan that I am not worthy of salvation, I remind myself of a thief on a cross. He was not worthy either, yet, after confessing his sins, looking to God for hope, Jesus took him to paradise. None are beyond the reach of Christ's eternal love.

Luke 23:42-47