Local Church

I’ve been thinking about the LOCAL Church and her roll in our day to day Faith walk… The church was established to help Christian Brothers and Sisters deal with Daily problems Christ-like. The Bible says the Church was founded upon two basic principles;
Ministering, one to another.
Fellowshipping one with another.

Lately there has been a nation wide movement to destroy the Local Church and/or down play her involvement in our Spiritual walk. I have read internet BLOGS, national articles and different publications basically stating that we no longer need the Local Church!

I will stand and be the first to say this is False Teaching and couldn’t be more wrong! The book of Hebrews 10:25 says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” I believe that the local church, under God ordained leadership, is necessary in the life of the Christian.

People ask, “Were there Local Churches in the New Testament?” YES! As you read the New Testament you will find that many of the Epistles were literal letters to a local church or local churches: Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica… Seven more churches were addressed in Revelation chapters 2 & 3: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea… Acts talks about local churches; an Example would be the Church at Jerusalem - Acts 8:1, Acts 11:22 and the Church at Antioch - Acts 13:1! I heard on Christian radio that some Christians now believe that the Internet is an acceptable replacement for the local church; this grieved me, because I know how wrong that is! One person said there is no real Jesus in church, I beg to differ, Jesus is in you and the church should be made up of you, so you are to bring Jesus to the church meetings… (If there is No Jesus at Church then maybe the problem is; you…)

Now, I understand that some folks are restricted to home due to illnesses and physically can’t get out to church, and this is the time when believers should bring church to them… And time and time again folks tell me about a Bad experience they may have had at church so that’s their excuse for not going to church… I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “there is no excuse for not being part of a local church. Missing church or not being involved in your Local Church should be No Option! Find a Local Church and a Local Pastor and Get Involved… Be blessed by becoming a Blessing!!!


Pastor Howard

"Faith Lifestyle"

Hello All

We had a great Wednesday Night Bible study last night, I'm teaching a series on Faith Lifestyle... (James in the Bible) I talked about How due to a lack of “Faith lifestyle” (not a lack on Faith but a lack of “Faith lifestyle”) we become rollercoaster Christians… Up one day and bottomed out the next. It’s only a “Faith Lifestyle” that can stop this cycle. We have too many believers on this cycle and when their on the Mountain top it’s great but when they hit the valleys of life they fall apart. It’s the “Faith Lifestyle” that teaches us that “Location doesn’t matter!!!” David said, “If I make my bed in hell You are with me…” he also said, “I can walk through the valley of the shadow of death and You are with me…”

I believe God wants to take His people to a place of “Faith lifestyle.” Let me explain; Christian Faith is; believing in God and knowing Jesus is the Son of God etc… all of that is great but a “Lifestyle of Faith” teaches us; that the same Faith that “Knowing God is God,” is the same Faith that will get us through those long and hard times and days…

We can have Faith in end times and Faith in Heaven but can we have Faith that we know that God will make me have a great day TODAY regardless of circumstances… TODAY regardless of conditions… TODAY regardless of situations… That’s a “Faith lifestyle.” It’s more than just pretending to be Holy or Spiritual Deep, it’s more than just speaking out Faith words or verses, It’s more than just blogging some thoughts and trying to convince everyone that you’re a Faith person, Its more than carrying your Bible around or wearing Christian clothing or jewelry. …

It’s Living Day by Day by Faith - Faith that God will take you places each and every day - Faith that God will show you Great things each and every day – Faith that God will not only get you through but Faith that He will walk you from the beginning to end and even during the hard times you will have a Peace and a Joy that surpasses any and all understanding..

It’s that “Faith lifestyle” that the early Church walked in, it’s that “Faith lifestyle” that the Disciples and Apostles walked in… And it’s that “Faith lifestyle” that will take us to a realm where we will see Great things from God’s kingdom including signs, wonders, and miracles… the choice is ours, we can live the way we’ve been living and receive the same results or we can make a change in 2009 and choose to make our Lifestyle a “Faith lifestyle.”