So here is the question today: What do you do when you can't have what you want?
It is a challenging question. Perhaps you have prayed and asked the Lord. Perhaps you have asked according to Biblical standards and you believe you are within His Will. Perhaps you have been patiently waiting for years or months.
But there is nothing but closed doors.
We know from Revelation that Jesus is the only one who can truly open and close doors.
Revelation 3:7 (Geneva Version)
"And write unto the Angel of the Church which is of Philadelphia, These things saith he that is Holy, and True, which hath the key of David, which openeth and no man shutteth, & shutteth & no man openeth,"
He is the One who closes that no man can open, and opens so that no man may shut it. We must yield and be cognizant of the fact that Jesus is in charge of the believer's life. It is the life of a disciple. It is His life now, not ours. We were bought for a price, the High Price of His blood.
So when you ask Jesus for years, and you don't receive the answer you were expecting, I would surmise that the Lord in His sovereignty has possibly chosen a different path for you. Pray and ask for that path to be revealed. He orders our steps and lights our path. He is a good and faithful God and Saviour. We can trust Him, even when in deep pain and disappointment, and yes, perhaps depression. And whatever you do, always thank Him for His provision in the midst of the wilderness. Always trust Him for He knows best.
Even if you can't have something, you can ALWAYS have His love and acceptance and His plan. Yield your hopes and dreams to Jesus, and let Him be Lord of all you are and have. As the Scripture has said in Revelation 3:7... Jesus is Holy and True. Praise Him forever.
~Pastor Curtis
Friday, January 10, 2014
Thursday, January 9, 2014
The Life of Light
1John 1:7 (Geneva Version)"But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
I believe this is a powerful verse because in it John tells us believers what the nature of the Christian walk is: We walk in the Light, just as He is in the Light. We know we walk in light by our lifestyle and by our fellowship with other believers. By walking in light, we are coming to Him, and acknowledging our sins, and practicing a right lifestyle. Stepping into the light can be scary. What if one is rejected? Ridiculed? Accused? What if.... and the list goes on.
But God gives us His WORD here, and promises us, that if you come into the light, and indeed WALK in openness of light, then you KNOW that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son CONTINUALLY cleanses you from all sin! It is this practice of walking in honesty, righteousness and purity that opens the door to the fellowship of light! You and I are called to walk in the light. It requires humility to step into that light and courage too.
But you are accepted and forgiven if you will choose the life of light. That lifestyle of walking honestly and purely before God. When you do fall down, (it happens) you will be able to get help, because He knows you and sees you... in the LIGHT! You will be able to get back up again and enjoy His love and forgiveness.
So let us walk in the forgiveness and joy we have in His Blood and walk the Life of Light!
~Pastor Curtis
I believe this is a powerful verse because in it John tells us believers what the nature of the Christian walk is: We walk in the Light, just as He is in the Light. We know we walk in light by our lifestyle and by our fellowship with other believers. By walking in light, we are coming to Him, and acknowledging our sins, and practicing a right lifestyle. Stepping into the light can be scary. What if one is rejected? Ridiculed? Accused? What if.... and the list goes on.
But God gives us His WORD here, and promises us, that if you come into the light, and indeed WALK in openness of light, then you KNOW that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son CONTINUALLY cleanses you from all sin! It is this practice of walking in honesty, righteousness and purity that opens the door to the fellowship of light! You and I are called to walk in the light. It requires humility to step into that light and courage too.
But you are accepted and forgiven if you will choose the life of light. That lifestyle of walking honestly and purely before God. When you do fall down, (it happens) you will be able to get help, because He knows you and sees you... in the LIGHT! You will be able to get back up again and enjoy His love and forgiveness.
So let us walk in the forgiveness and joy we have in His Blood and walk the Life of Light!
~Pastor Curtis
Monday, January 6, 2014
Reevaluate
Now that it is 2014, it is time to reevaluate.
What goals do we have? Are they still in tune with what God wants in your life?
Just reexamine things and revisit everything to see if some adjustments may be needed. Pray and read the Bible.
I know I have been reexamining things for myself. And I find that what I do for the church is still very much what God wants for me. So I continue. Some of my personal goals, however, seem to have fallen by the wayside over the years and I realize they just aren't all that important in God's greater scheme. His plan is all that matters so I must continue to learn how to yield things and hopes and plans up to Jesus. It is more freeing when you have surrendered your plans to Him. When you give those plans to Him it is indeed an excercise in trust. See, by trusting your plan with Him, He may lay it to rest and you may never see that plan again. But if He does that, it's because He has something far better and completely different in mind.
Happy new year.
What goals do we have? Are they still in tune with what God wants in your life?
Just reexamine things and revisit everything to see if some adjustments may be needed. Pray and read the Bible.
I know I have been reexamining things for myself. And I find that what I do for the church is still very much what God wants for me. So I continue. Some of my personal goals, however, seem to have fallen by the wayside over the years and I realize they just aren't all that important in God's greater scheme. His plan is all that matters so I must continue to learn how to yield things and hopes and plans up to Jesus. It is more freeing when you have surrendered your plans to Him. When you give those plans to Him it is indeed an excercise in trust. See, by trusting your plan with Him, He may lay it to rest and you may never see that plan again. But if He does that, it's because He has something far better and completely different in mind.
Happy new year.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Manhood
I recently responded to a post on a Christian social media website called "When did you become a man?" It has to do with growing up and transforming from a boy into a man. I posted a reply and got much positive feedback. I had people asking me if they could use my points and share them. I told them I would be honoured. So I have decided to share my reply to that thread here because it seems to be an encouragement. God bless!
-----
I would say that manhood is achieved in CHARACTER at different stages for different men. The biology is simple. But Christ-like character in a man is a journey, a process.
Here are some lessons I have learned in my journey in Christ:
1) "No" is a completely valid sentence. We must not agree to everything people try to "enlist" us to do. Don't buckle to what others want if it is against your convictions in Christ.
2) Manhood must be tested. We must go through trials and come through with our trust firmly in Christ. (Jesus in the wilderness.)
3) Manhood is marked with humility tempered with boldness.
4) Manhood means controlling self, not others. Especially our tongue.
5) Manhood means being a courageous leader, even when no one else will step up and follow.
6) Manhood shows extreme gentleness.
7) Manhood means charting a course far from sexual (or other) sin, and being Spirit Led.
8) Manhood means recognizing the difference between something you can fix and something only Christ can fix.
9) Manhood will always take time to listen to and love his wife (for married men). Her needs come before his own wants or desires. Yet he is bold enough to always put the Will of God first.
10) Manhood does not run from the light. He stands and accepts responsibility for his own wrongs. He also knows Christ has forgiven him. He is strong enough to receive correction, and humble enough to implement said correction.
11) Manhood means starting. When God calls us, when will we respond? Will we press through those "imperfect" circumstances and press in to know the Lord? Or will we try to get "ideal" circumstances first? (See 1Cor. 7:17-24 - no condition of life should stop us from heeding the call... God always calls us to do something we CAN do, in Him. He will NOT call you to something you cannot do. If you meet resistance from the world, the flesh, or the devil along the way, then press in!)
12) Manhood means knowing when to be vulnerable and when not to be. (See Samson's story in the Bible).
----
Still learning, still growing!
Blessings, Pastor Curtis
-----
I would say that manhood is achieved in CHARACTER at different stages for different men. The biology is simple. But Christ-like character in a man is a journey, a process.
Here are some lessons I have learned in my journey in Christ:
1) "No" is a completely valid sentence. We must not agree to everything people try to "enlist" us to do. Don't buckle to what others want if it is against your convictions in Christ.
2) Manhood must be tested. We must go through trials and come through with our trust firmly in Christ. (Jesus in the wilderness.)
3) Manhood is marked with humility tempered with boldness.
4) Manhood means controlling self, not others. Especially our tongue.
5) Manhood means being a courageous leader, even when no one else will step up and follow.
6) Manhood shows extreme gentleness.
7) Manhood means charting a course far from sexual (or other) sin, and being Spirit Led.
8) Manhood means recognizing the difference between something you can fix and something only Christ can fix.
9) Manhood will always take time to listen to and love his wife (for married men). Her needs come before his own wants or desires. Yet he is bold enough to always put the Will of God first.
10) Manhood does not run from the light. He stands and accepts responsibility for his own wrongs. He also knows Christ has forgiven him. He is strong enough to receive correction, and humble enough to implement said correction.
11) Manhood means starting. When God calls us, when will we respond? Will we press through those "imperfect" circumstances and press in to know the Lord? Or will we try to get "ideal" circumstances first? (See 1Cor. 7:17-24 - no condition of life should stop us from heeding the call... God always calls us to do something we CAN do, in Him. He will NOT call you to something you cannot do. If you meet resistance from the world, the flesh, or the devil along the way, then press in!)
12) Manhood means knowing when to be vulnerable and when not to be. (See Samson's story in the Bible).
----
Still learning, still growing!
Blessings, Pastor Curtis
Friday, June 21, 2013
Honesty is Best, Honestly!
The other day, I was listening to a conversation where a debate was taking place about movie downloads from the Internet. On one side, it was said "Hollywood doesn't care about us, and they are rich, so why pay for the movie?". On the other side I heard "Consumers are what support the movie making industry, and if I want the movie, I will buy it."
So in topics like this I like to return to the Bible. Christians should always return to the Bible to gain their perspective. What does it say?
Romans 13:11-14 (Holy Bible, Geneva Version)
Rom 13:11 And that, considering the season, that it is now time that we should arise from sleep: for now is our salvation nearer, then when we believed it.
Rom 13:12 The night is past, and the day is at hand, let us therefore cast away the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light,
Rom 13:13 So that we walk honestly, as in the day: not in gluttony, and drunkenness, neither in chambering and wantonness, nor in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and take no thought for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts of it.
So, you may ask, what does this have to do with internet music and movie downloads?
I'll tell you. The passage has a key point in verse 13. We should walk honestly. If you are a Christian, and you have indeed put on the Christ armour, the armour of light, you will strive to walk honestly.
If indeed you are a Christian, who has received Christ in your heart, and you indeed have risen from spiritual sleepiness to wait for the coming day of the Lord, then you will strive to walk in honesty.
We must, as Christians, stop trying to determine what is right and wrong based on "circumstances" or "market conditions". The Apostle Paul told us nearly 2000 years ago to put on Jesus like armour, ignore the demands of fleshly sin, and walk in honesty.
So knowing this is a mark of the true Christian then, we return to our modern-day debate.
In this circumstance, which is the honest thing to do? Is it honest to pay for the movie through a legitimate downloading site? Or is it honest to download it through a piracy site for free? Let's think about it, movies cost money to make. If you want to be entertained, you pay for the entertainment. If no one paid for it, then there would simply be no more entertainment.
Did the creators of the movie intend to give it away or to sell it? If they intended to sell it, then what is the honest response for the consumer to make?
How about the cinemas? Which is the honest response... to pay for a ticket, or to sneak in unnoticed?
Take it away from movies for a moment; if you have a leaky pipe, and you hire a plumber to fix it, then which is the honest response? Should you pay him for his services (regardless of quality), or stiff him?
How about signing a rental lease? Should you pay the rent monthly as agreed, or should you sign the lease and then not pay rent? What is the honest thing to do?
This is going to make some people squirmy, but it must be brought to light: Honesty is a mark of Christianity. The mark on the forehead and hand of a Christian should be honest thinking, honest (and kindly) words, and honest actions.
Do we fail to be honest sometimes? Yes, of course! Human nature causes us to sin. But we can confess our sins to Jesus and repent and get back on course again! There is grace for those who make honesty their lifestyle, but sometimes fall short.
1John 1:9-10 (Geneva)
1Jn 1:9 If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, & to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Here, the Apostle John says that we need to acknowledge our sins (such as dishonesty) to Jesus and let Him cleanse us and forgive us. But note that John also says that to say we have never sinned is to be dishonest! We are striving to be honest in all we do, and the Lord is watching us and guiding us.
So I encourage you as a Christian to walk honestly and with all integrity, whether it be in purchasing movie downloads online, or in paying a plumber, or in acknowledging your sin to Jesus.
Honesty is a permanent mark of the Christian life... honestly!
Blessings
Pastor Curtis
If you want to hear my original song "Armour Of Light", based on the very same passage, Romans 13:11-14, and the topic of "Honesty" click the link below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLX19e16sd0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLE3FB29BA9D6FBA22
So in topics like this I like to return to the Bible. Christians should always return to the Bible to gain their perspective. What does it say?
Romans 13:11-14 (Holy Bible, Geneva Version)
Rom 13:11 And that, considering the season, that it is now time that we should arise from sleep: for now is our salvation nearer, then when we believed it.
Rom 13:12 The night is past, and the day is at hand, let us therefore cast away the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light,
Rom 13:13 So that we walk honestly, as in the day: not in gluttony, and drunkenness, neither in chambering and wantonness, nor in strife and envying.
Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and take no thought for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts of it.
So, you may ask, what does this have to do with internet music and movie downloads?
I'll tell you. The passage has a key point in verse 13. We should walk honestly. If you are a Christian, and you have indeed put on the Christ armour, the armour of light, you will strive to walk honestly.
If indeed you are a Christian, who has received Christ in your heart, and you indeed have risen from spiritual sleepiness to wait for the coming day of the Lord, then you will strive to walk in honesty.
We must, as Christians, stop trying to determine what is right and wrong based on "circumstances" or "market conditions". The Apostle Paul told us nearly 2000 years ago to put on Jesus like armour, ignore the demands of fleshly sin, and walk in honesty.
So knowing this is a mark of the true Christian then, we return to our modern-day debate.
In this circumstance, which is the honest thing to do? Is it honest to pay for the movie through a legitimate downloading site? Or is it honest to download it through a piracy site for free? Let's think about it, movies cost money to make. If you want to be entertained, you pay for the entertainment. If no one paid for it, then there would simply be no more entertainment.
Did the creators of the movie intend to give it away or to sell it? If they intended to sell it, then what is the honest response for the consumer to make?
How about the cinemas? Which is the honest response... to pay for a ticket, or to sneak in unnoticed?
Take it away from movies for a moment; if you have a leaky pipe, and you hire a plumber to fix it, then which is the honest response? Should you pay him for his services (regardless of quality), or stiff him?
How about signing a rental lease? Should you pay the rent monthly as agreed, or should you sign the lease and then not pay rent? What is the honest thing to do?
This is going to make some people squirmy, but it must be brought to light: Honesty is a mark of Christianity. The mark on the forehead and hand of a Christian should be honest thinking, honest (and kindly) words, and honest actions.
Do we fail to be honest sometimes? Yes, of course! Human nature causes us to sin. But we can confess our sins to Jesus and repent and get back on course again! There is grace for those who make honesty their lifestyle, but sometimes fall short.
1John 1:9-10 (Geneva)
1Jn 1:9 If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, & to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Here, the Apostle John says that we need to acknowledge our sins (such as dishonesty) to Jesus and let Him cleanse us and forgive us. But note that John also says that to say we have never sinned is to be dishonest! We are striving to be honest in all we do, and the Lord is watching us and guiding us.
So I encourage you as a Christian to walk honestly and with all integrity, whether it be in purchasing movie downloads online, or in paying a plumber, or in acknowledging your sin to Jesus.
Honesty is a permanent mark of the Christian life... honestly!
Blessings
Pastor Curtis
If you want to hear my original song "Armour Of Light", based on the very same passage, Romans 13:11-14, and the topic of "Honesty" click the link below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLX19e16sd0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLE3FB29BA9D6FBA22
Monday, May 20, 2013
Victory is a Journey, Not Just a Destination.
This is the link to my latest song, just for interest's sake. It is the same track I sang to live last night at my church (there are recorded vocals in this version). When I write music, it is almost always because God has opened a passage up to me, and I am singing based on what God has shown me in that verse. It is not just text or history, it is revelation!
"Chronicle Of Praise" By Curtis Alexander
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv-UsvOWH5s&feature=youtu.be
1 Chronicles 29:10-13(Holy Bible, Geneva Version:
"10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the Congregation, and David said, Blessed be thou, O Lord God, of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O Lord, is greatness & power, and glory, and victory & praise: for all that is in heaven and in earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou excellest as head over all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and strength, and in thine hande it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious Name."
This passage from King David is powerfully messianic and prophetic of the Lord Jesus. We know Jesus taught his disciples to pray "thine is the kingdom" and we know He is Head of the Church and King of kings! The word that caught my eye in particular was the word "victory". For Victoria Day this word "victory" means something powerful in the Hebrew language:
In the Strongs Concordance:
"Chronicle Of Praise" By Curtis Alexander
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv-UsvOWH5s&feature=youtu.be
1 Chronicles 29:10-13(Holy Bible, Geneva Version:
"10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the Congregation, and David said, Blessed be thou, O Lord God, of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O Lord, is greatness & power, and glory, and victory & praise: for all that is in heaven and in earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou excellest as head over all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and strength, and in thine hande it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious Name."
This passage from King David is powerfully messianic and prophetic of the Lord Jesus. We know Jesus taught his disciples to pray "thine is the kingdom" and we know He is Head of the Church and King of kings! The word that caught my eye in particular was the word "victory". For Victoria Day this word "victory" means something powerful in the Hebrew language:
In the Strongs Concordance:
H5331 "Victory"
nay'-tsakh
From H5329; properly a goal, that is, the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially), continually (that is, to the most distant point of view): - alway (-s), constantly, end, (+ n-) ever (more), perpetual, strength, victory.
Therefore Christ Jesus is the brightness and splendor we travel towards and He is the Way we travel! He is our perpetual strength and confidence!
That word "victory" is only one of the rich words King David uses to describe the Lord! This word Victory means so much more that just "winning". It is our whole path of faith!
I want to challenge you to expand your understanding of "Victory". Use the biblical standard to understand it! You don't just "get" to victory, you walk in it! As long as you are watching Jesus and walking toward His glory and splendor, walking along side His Holy Spirit, then you are victorious! You do not need to see the "result" to know you are a winner now! Even on days we feel like we are loosing, we must LOOK to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith!
As you walk in faith with Jesus and toward His glory, you are walking in VICTORY now!! Let Jesus be your "perpetual strength and victory"! You are a winner as long as you are heading in the right direction... even if you haven't arrived just yet! I want you to catch this as I am catching it: VICTORY IS A JOURNEY, not just a destination!! Jesus is our WAY not just our Destination!
For us Canadians, Happy Victoria Day! Be Victorious in Jesus!
Digest it, drink it in, and God Bless,
Pastor Curtis
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Be Thankful!
I know some who are not grateful. Do you? It is so grating on me and I can only imagine how God feels about it. He does not like ungratefulness. He loves thankfulness. He loves everyone, even those who don't love Him. He even loves those who call Him by Name (Jesus) but are ungrateful to Him. I have discovered in my personality a couple of things that trigger my "petpeeve" alarm.... one is unreasonableness, and the other is ungratefulness. These attitudes grate on me and I lean fully on Jesus and His grace to help me speak the truth only in love. If I love these people who can't see the blessing, and Jesus loves them even more, then Oh how that must make Him feel when they ignore His best blessings to them! He gave His very life for them!
Ungratefulness is an injustice. No matter how much one may explain the thankfulness one should have, the sour Christian cannot see it. This is frustrating to many of us. Therefore I am sure God makes full use of His Longsuffering to deal with such people.
God longs for thankful people. If you receive a gift, in church or other places, be thankful for it... don't criticize it for being the wrong colour or type. Don't make an issue centered around you. It really is not about you. It's not about me. It is about Jesus. It is about what you and I can do to serve others and how we can give God our best by operating in His Spirit.
In case an ungrateful person is also reading this along with my other readers, I will reiterate: It is not about you. It does not matter what you think is "fair" or not. And yes, I meant to type that.
It doesn't make a "mature" Christian when we constantly complain and live with the stone of ungratefulness scratching our eye, dulling our eyesight. And yes, a stone can permanently damage your vision. Ungratefulness is blinding, and it makes the perfectly good gift seem terrible to the sour Christian. They cannot see how good they have it, because they cannot see! Ungratefulness has scratched their eyes!
It is time to lift the eyes, wash them in the Word of God, get your eyesight back, and behold the Glory of the Lord. Be thankful for the many many blessings we have in our lives each and every day.
We will please the Lord by living by faith, and being thankful. Put on your "Gospel Glasses" and see Jesus! Be Thankful to Him!
~Pastor Curtis
Ungratefulness is an injustice. No matter how much one may explain the thankfulness one should have, the sour Christian cannot see it. This is frustrating to many of us. Therefore I am sure God makes full use of His Longsuffering to deal with such people.
God longs for thankful people. If you receive a gift, in church or other places, be thankful for it... don't criticize it for being the wrong colour or type. Don't make an issue centered around you. It really is not about you. It's not about me. It is about Jesus. It is about what you and I can do to serve others and how we can give God our best by operating in His Spirit.
In case an ungrateful person is also reading this along with my other readers, I will reiterate: It is not about you. It does not matter what you think is "fair" or not. And yes, I meant to type that.
It doesn't make a "mature" Christian when we constantly complain and live with the stone of ungratefulness scratching our eye, dulling our eyesight. And yes, a stone can permanently damage your vision. Ungratefulness is blinding, and it makes the perfectly good gift seem terrible to the sour Christian. They cannot see how good they have it, because they cannot see! Ungratefulness has scratched their eyes!
It is time to lift the eyes, wash them in the Word of God, get your eyesight back, and behold the Glory of the Lord. Be thankful for the many many blessings we have in our lives each and every day.
We will please the Lord by living by faith, and being thankful. Put on your "Gospel Glasses" and see Jesus! Be Thankful to Him!
~Pastor Curtis
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