“The ONE!”

Following Mary and Elizabeth’s encounter as recorded by Luke in 1:39-56, Luke goes on in the following verses to announce the birth of John who would later be called John the Baptist.  If you remember the earlier story in Luke where the angel of the Lord came to Zacharias to tell him Elizabeth would give birth to a son who would be the forerunner to the Messiah.  Zacharias questioned the angel and his mouth was shut.  He could no longer speak.  It was not until after John’s birth when he was named by Zacharias, on a tablet when asked what he shall be called, that his mouth was opened and he cold speak again.  And my, was he able to speak!  I want you to hear what Zacharias had to say as recorded in: 

Luke 1:67-79:   

“And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying; ‘Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the old, and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him  all our days.  And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise form on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’”

I want you to notice that the Holy Spirit came upon Zacharias just as it had come upon Elizabeth before she spoke her blessed announcement to Mary.  Zacharias tells us that redemption has come, not in the person of his son, but in Jesus the Christ.  His son is prophet of the Most High who will prepare the people for His ways and guide them in the knowledge of salvation by forgiveness of their sins. 

What a blessed message from the father of John the Baptist.  He not only sets the stage for the ministry of his son, but the redemption through the promised ONE, Jesus Christ.  Jesus, the ONE, who brings Sunshine into darkness.  Jesus, the ONE, who guides us to eternal peace.  There is no other!

You see, all of the Journey to Bethlehem points to the ONE and only Jesus Christ, who came into the world that the world might be saved through Him.  There is no other way!  

On this Sunday, Christmas Day, let us again give thanks for the ONE, who was, who is, and is to come!!!  Hallelujah!!!

Merry Christmas to all of you,                                                                                                    Pastor Marty       

Worship, Grow & Serve

"Team Work for Christ"

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.’  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.  Immediately they left the boat and their father, 

and followed Him.” 

Matthew 4:18-22

This is a very familiar text of Jesus calling His disciples.  We know that He went on from calling these four mentioned here to calling another eight for a total of twelve disciples.  And we know from scripture that though He called twelve for His “inner circle,” there were other followers that traveled with them from place to place during His ministry.

I could go many different directions with this text today, but want to focus on one concept that I believe very few think about when it comes to the paradigm Jesus set up in His ministry.  I was reminded of that on Saturday night.

This past Saturday night Emma Grace, my daughter, had basketball practice with her SCCS Middle School team.  They had their first game on Monday in Fayetteville.  As I watched the coach lead practice and as I listened to her teach these 12 to 14 year old young ladies, she kept emphasizing working together and playing as a team.

We have all heard the statement, “There is No ‘I” in Team!”  And yes that is true!  But often it appears many think that there is.  You have players on teams that certainly have more talent, are more capable of playing at a higher level than others on the team.  But it is still a team.  You don’t put your basketball team on the court with one player and leave the rest of the team on the bench.  The player could be Michael Jordan, but he would still lose.  No matter how great a player he is, playing against five on another team, he would lose!  We hear it all the time.  Team Work is a must!!!!

While we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in our salvation, that does not mean that we walk alone.  Jesus called individuals to Himself.  Jesus saves us individually, but over and over again we see Him, after gathering them as individuals, bringing them together as a team.  He teaches them as a team.  He sends them out as a team (Luke 10).  You fast forward to the church that formed, as accounted for in the early chapters of Acts, and we again see them meeting together for meals, worship, and prayer.  The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest evangelist for the gospel of Jesus Christ to ever live, took other men with him on his missionary journeys.

Yes, you need private time to study, pray, and mediate on God’s word and will for your life.  Jesus did the same.  But you cannot go it alone.  The paradigm Jesus put in place works perfectly.  We are to gather together with other BELIEVERS and worship, grow, and serve together for the cause of the Kingdom.  Sitting at home on Sunday mornings, staying away from Bible Studies, thinking, “I can do this myself,” is not the best plan.  Will that mindset take away your salvation?  Certainly not!  If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ and have surrendered your life to Him, your salvation is secure.  But, you will not grow as you should in Christ and serve His will for your life by only going it alone.  His plan is plurality!  Multiples! A Gathering of Believers!  And His plan works!!!

By the way, Emma Grace played their game this past Monday night and they won the very first ever basketball game for SCCS.  Their star player was a star, but she could not have done it without the other players like Emma supporting her on the team.  Team Work for Christ!!!  Let’s Go For It!

Blessings this Advent Season,

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, & Serve                      

“All Our Hope is Found in Him!”

I have always loved the 23rd Psalm, but there is one verse in this Psalm that runs through my mind constantly in the world in which we live today.  That verse is verse 4:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

You only have to read the Headlines each morning to realize the world we live in.  Here are only just a few:

“Women accused of stabbing boyfriend who drank her blood.”  

“The Great Smokies Burn: 100’s removed from their home as fires threaten Gatlinburg and Dollywood Resort.”  

“TRAGEDY OF HUGE PROPORTIONS:
At least 75 dead after Brazilian soccer team's plane crashes in Colombia.”  

“Mom charged for overdosing while shopping with 2-year-old daughter.”  

“Nick Cannon says Planned Parenthood engaging in 'modern day eugenics.”  

“War on ISIS: Seized documents reveal thousands of planned ISIS attacks around world.”

Those of you reading this know that just in today’s headlines, these are only the tip of the iceberg.  We are constantly bombarded with horrific things happening here in the US and around the world.  When there are good things happening those headlines are either buried on the back pages or at the very end of the newscast.  It’s kind of like, Oh, one more thing.  Here is a feel good story.

Let me ask you, did any of you see this headline on Tuesday, November 29th?  Some of you may have, but my guess is most did not and would never know.

“Underground Church movement grows in Iran despite regime's efforts.  Despite the Iranian regime’s best efforts to stop the spread of Christianity, a large underground church movement is growing.”  

You see, the positives in the midst of the negatives don’t seem to sell the news in any given cycle.

I read these headlines and verse 4 of the 23rd Psalm rang through my head.  The church of Jesus Christ is flourishing in Iran and also in China by the way, even though they are suppressed, persecuted, even killed for their faith in Jesus.  Yes, they can claim the verse: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  Folks, they live it everyday and their hope is ONLY found in the LORD!

We certainly live in perilous times.  The value of human life is at an all time low.  Though we have the greatest modern medicine in history, diseases are taking their toll on people.  Bodies still wear out.  Horrific accidents happen everyday.  Not a single one of us knows what today will bring.  Oh, I just gave a lot of negative headlines.  Sorry, just facts.  BUT here is the good news.  No matter how bad the bad news is, the good news is God is always with us, even to the end of the age (and that is even our age) Matthew 28:20

As we begin this celebration of the birth of Christ, let us not forget that Immanuel means “God with us.”  This baby born in Bethlehem, the Son of the Living God, Messiah, Savior of the World, came that we might have life in Him.  He came to give us HOPE, to give us PEACE, to COMFORT us, and give us LIFE, that though we die, we live because of Him.  

The Savior, Jesus the Christ, has done just that.  You can take it to the bank.  So even in this lost, demonic, Satan filled world, you are Safe, you are Kept, you are His and Nothing in all of creation can change that.   All our Hope is found in Him!

Hopefully verse 4 will stick in your head from now on too!

Blessings this Advent Season,

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, & Serve                      

“The LORD Who Made You”

“Thus says the LORD who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you, do not fear…” Isaiah 44:2

I am writing this article on Tuesday, November 15 and the memories of this day 12 years ago are as fresh as if they happened yesterday.  So please allow me to indulge myself in sharing this story.

I had been at a Church Conference in Phoenix AZ for 5 days prior to November 15, 2004.  I had flown back in on Saturday the 13th and planned to attend Terry’s (my wife) appointment with her doctor before going to work on Monday the 15th.  She was 34 weeks pregnant at that time and there had been some concern of our child’s size in development during her pregnancy.  Terry had had two miscarriages prior to this pregnancy and we knew that there was a risk of problems with this pregnancy also.  Early on in the pregnancy, as she had in past the months that the prior miscarriages occurred, our doctor suggested that we have a Amnio test done to make sure the baby was OK, so we could have the option to abort if needed.  We both looked at him and said about the same time NO!  There is no need to do that.  We would not abort regardless of what the test would show.  We were not going to be a part of the 3,000 + abortions that take place daily in the USA.  God had formed her.  She was alive!

A few weeks prior to November 15, 2004 during one of Terry’s appointments, our doctor said, “I would like to give you a hormone shot that will help to develop the lungs of the baby.  I am just not sure you will carry her to your due date, which by the way was our oldest sons birthday, December 31st.  They felt Terry may be able to go as far as 38 of the 40 weeks.  So we agreed.  Man, did that turn out the be the right call!!!

Back to our appointment on Monday, November 15th.  We arrived and were waiting, talking about the things we needed to do that day and the rest of the week.  Thanksgiving was coming and plans for Christmas, knowing the baby would be arriving around that time.  We were called back to the examination room where there was an Ultrasound machine for the doctor to take a look at the development of the baby since our last visit.  The doctor came in and started the exam, the minute she put the wand on Terry’s abdomen, she said, “We need to get you to the hospital immediately.  The baby is in stress.”  Tears welled up in both of our eyes.  The doctor said she would call ahead and let them know we were coming and for us to go straight up to the OB floor.  I don’t even remember driving over.  We both were in shock.  Once we were checked in and were waiting for the “on call” doctor to come in, I remember we prayed.  “Father, you have brought us this far, this baby is in your hands.  Please Father, let her live.”  

Things began to move very quickly by then and not long after that Terry was in the OR prepping for a C-Section.  I was dressed in OR clothes so I could be with her.  And at 2 PM, Monday, November 15th Emma Grace Duffell was born at 34 weeks.  She weighed 2.7 lbs. and within hours dropped to 2.5 lbs.  We were immediately cautioned of all the possibilities.  The Nic Unit doctor made that very clear.  But here is the thing, Emma Grace never had to have any intervention.  No breathing tubes, nothing.!  They told us that their requirement was for a premature baby to be 4.5 to 5 lbs before going home.  Emma Grace was doing so well they let her come home at 3.5 lbs.  The NICU doctor told us as we were leaving that he would see us back in the unit over the winter months.  To that Terry said, “No you will not.  God’s got this little one.”  And He did!  Every time the doctors have told us she will develop slower, be behind all her peers, they have been wrong.  She is, in our eyes, a miracle baby.  

Isaiah tells Israel, “… the LORD who made you and formed you from the womb…” reminds me that every child is a gift of God.  Yes, I know our story is not everyones story as far as the outcome.  I understand that.  But each of these babies are His creation and we don’t understand why some live and some die.  We don’t understand why some are lost to miscarriages.  And as far as Terry and I, we do not understand how anyone can abort these precious babies.  What we do know is that each child is knitted in their mothers womb by a gracious and loving God and all are in His hands.  God is creator, not only of the universe, but of all of us.  So do not fear, as the prophet says, for we know that God is Emmanuel - God with us!   Folks, that is with the “born” and the “un-born.”  Terry and I experienced His presence that day in a special way and are so ever grateful to Him!

I am thankful that God has allowed us to enjoy His daughter, our daughter, Emma Grace.  Happy 12th birthday sweetheart.  We love you!

Blessings,                                                                                                 

Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, & Serve                      

Almost There!

“While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.” Luke 2:6

God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect. No slip ups. No miss steps. No, “I wish I’d done that differently.” Nope! God’s plan for redemption was and continues to be perfect. For us, we look at those last few days before, as the scripture above states, “... the days were completed for her to give birth,” and this is not how we would plan it.

Mary is 9 months along in her pregnancy with the Son of God, the coming Messiah. Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, but Joseph is from the family of David and because of the census, had to travel to Bethlehem, the City of David to register. You know Joseph must have put this off as long as he could. He had to be hoping Mary would deliver and then they could go. But time was drawing near, almost there, when he would be in violation of the law. I’m sure he did not want Rome’s wrath on him and his family.

Joseph begins this journey of 75 miles, probably 3 days of travel to fulfill the decree of the Emperor. Little did he know he was going to fulfill the prophecy of God. All working together of God’s purpose. You may say, but Joseph, a good Jew, would have known the prophecy of the Messiah and he knew this was HE. Yes, but Joseph was human and certainly would have had Mary and the baby on his mind. I’m not sure he would have said to Mary, “OK, Babe, We are going to wait until just before you are ready to deliver and then head to Bethlehem so we can fulfill the prophecy about the coming Messiah.” I just don’t think it happened that way. BUT, I do believe God was in control of it.

They arrived in Bethlehem and Mary is in labor, almost there. Joseph is trying to find a room and ends up in a stable (probably a cave which houses animals). They are almost there. Everything is in place. Mary is ready. The baby is ready. They are almost there!!!

We are almost there folks. Christmas 2015! It’s almost here. Today is Wednesday, 2 days before Christmas day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus the Christ. You have been readying yourself, your family with the purchase of gifts, preparation of food, the invitation of family, friends, neighbors to join you. You are almost there! The hectic, busyness of the season is about to be over. You will breathe a sigh, some collapse, others turn on the TV to watch the game. Just a few more days folks and it will all be over.

Oh, wait, it will not be over or at least not for the believer! It’s the beginning. We are almost there for the beginning. The beginning of again acknowledging the Birth of a Savior, the Birth of the King. The beginning to again embrace the one who came in the world that my sins could be nailed to His cross once and for all. We are almost there so we can say again, thank you Father for sending Your Son into a lost world for “me.” Yes, these should be everyday thoughts, but face it folks, they are not, at least for most believers.

Could we possibly change that this year? Could we possibly, this year, begin to offer thanks to the One who came that we might have life in His name? It’s the mind set we need to have. We are almost there folks. I would just ask for you to think on this things. Have a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Marty
Worship, Grow, Serve

Vacancy or No Vacancy?

There are less than 10 days left until Christmas, so please make sure you don’t miss it this year!

I am convinced that most people “miss” Christmas every year. At Christmas, people are busy shopping, attending parties and school plays, decorating, and doing all the other things that compete for attention.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the waiting room during Caroline’s surgery talking with my mother. She caught me off guard when she said that she dreads Christmas Day. What she was really saying was that she dreads the stress of Christmas Day when the whole family gets together.

As I began to write this article, I thought back to the Christmas traditions of my childhood. We had Christmas Eve dinner with my dad’s parents, followed by gift opening. It seemed as if Santa’s sleigh mysteriously missed the rest of our entire neighborhood and dropped everything off at our house. Christmas morning was a mad rush to say goodbye to my dad’s parents and hurry down the street to spend the rest of the day with my mom’s family. Thinking back over the years, I can’t tell you how many times I felt a sense of emptiness when Christmas Day came to an end.

The problem is that I was making the same kind of mistake that the innkeeper did that night in Bethlehem. Luke 2:7 sets the scene: “And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Christmas was at the innkeeper’s doorstep; however, in the hustle and bustle of the census, the innkeeper was so preoccupied in the pursuit of his career that he missed Christmas. In fact, he apparently did not take time to call anyone to help the young mother about to give birth. There was no indication that the innkeeper was hostile or unsympathetic but rather he was just too busy.

Similar to the innkeeper, my life was too consumed with the clutter of activity around Christmas that I missed the Son of God. I was showing Jesus to the stable compartment in my life and not making room for Him in the inn of my heart.

Today the world is filled with people like the innkeeper. People are so consumed with the pursuit of their careers, material possessions, pleasures, and comforts that they are giving no time to the Christ of Christmas. Don’t be like the innkeeper who missed Christmas! Let the Christ of Christmas find vacancy in your heart and invite Him in as Savior and Lord.

“Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” Neal A. Maxwell
I pray that you are overwhelmed with great joy this Christmas. God provided us with the greatest gift of all that night in Bethlehem. Rejoice!

Blessings my friends,

Ryan Hutchins
RE HOPE Church - Raleigh