Calvary Chapel Roswell

Moving to Facebook?

Jim Suttle — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:39:50 +0000

As I look at the stats for this blog – very few actually come here and almost none post. So, I am thinking of stopping the posting here, and just encouraging more at facebook. What do you guys think?

Here is the link to our facebook site for Calvary Roswell

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Calvary-Roswell/167271683302074

Jim

Unto us a Child is Born – Today’s Eedify

Jim Suttle — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:06:48 +0000

“For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful,

Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Christian, you have been given an incredible gift – Are you aware of it?

Imagine it this way, in our day of power packed electronic gadgets – many people have fascinating, multifaceted electronics…but only use the slightest fraction of their capabilities. Now the truth is, that many of the things these devices can do for us, are not things we really need, and thus to neglect them is not all that serious.

Yet, in contrast to this – what we really need as Christians IS found in Christ….and yet many Christians neglect what they ALREADY HAVE in Christ. With this in mind, today, I would like to ask you to look afresh at the wonder of the incredible gift we have in Jesus.
Here in Isaiah 9:6, God describes for us what is given to us by Jesus entering this world as a baby. This is the celebration that CHRISTmas is supposed to be about. In a very quick “tour”, let me walk you through the tremendous blessings that are ours in Christ revealed in this single verse.

1st – Unto us a Son is givenGod’s own Son. Nothing could be more precious to God, nothing more valuable. There is more in this understanding than could be contained in a library full of books. God has given us the highest gift imaginable.

2nd – the government will be upon His shoulder.The reality of this promise will be fully realized in eternity…but even now the truth applies and is for us. His burden is light, His yoke is easy…because if we walk with Him…He bears the weight of our walk with Him. Are you enjoying this in Christ?

3rd – His name will be called WonderfulThe idea of “wonderful” is something that is amazing, almost too good for words to describe. This wonder is the beauty, majesty and marvel in Christ. This wonder…is for you to know, to know Him!

4th – His name will be called…CounselorThis season of the year brings out a wide range of situations and emotions. For some this season is filled with joy. Others are left with a vague hole in their hearts, and still others are faced with the depths of depression. I put to you this reality – that in Christ we have been given the greatest counselor and comforter imaginable.

5th – His name will be called…Mighty GodThe words here convey that He is all powerful, the almighty God. There is nothing too hard for God. Paul discovered this reality when he said that he could do all things through Christ. It is so true, in Christ, we have all we need for the life God has for us.

6th – His name will be called … Everlasting Father, He is to us as tender, as faithful and as caring as any Father every could be. Yet, the focus is more…He is unending in His care. He is everlasting. He never gives up, never quits – He is eternal. You have no fear that you will exhaust His supply. Hebrews tells us that because of this – He is able to save us to the uttermost!

7th – His name will be called …Prince of Peace.Peace…it is what so many people want…and so few have. It is only found one place, in Christ. He is the Prince of it – the source, avenue and leader of it. Peace, real peace, is only in Him.

Consider WHO this is for…For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;When we think about the wonder and the fullness found in the seven attributes listed here, it is amazing to realize that it is really ours. Yet, God makes it clear, in fact He says it twice in the verse…this is unto us…this is for us. It is as if you are holding a CHRISTmas gift and you look, and indeed – the gift is for you. Christian, this is for you…it is yours – it is a gift that God has given you.

The simple truth is…what many Christians so desperately want – they already have in Christ. Yet either unaware or apathetic towards Him…they look for these needed things in unreliable sources. Today…I call you afresh to see what is given you in Christ…and take full advantage of all He is to us.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Jim

Will you join the Angels? Today’s Eedify

Jim Suttle — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:42:44 +0000

And suddenly there was with

the angel a multitude of

the heavenly host praising God

and saying:

“Glory to God

in the highest,

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men!”

(Luke 2:13-14)

The Hope of CHRISTmas is amazing!

How is this CHRISTmas season finding your heart? For some, I am sure it is hectic, for others a drag. For some filled with joy, and others filled with sorrow. For some this is a time of fond memories and others painful shadows. To each of us, right where we are– I want to draw us to the amazing hope of CHRISTmas! I want to point you to the announcement that the angels declared about that night that Jesus was born…and draw you…and me…after its declaration this year.

It was an astounding, reverberating announcement!

I wonder how many angels were a part of this birth announcement of Christ? It tells us that there was a multitude of them praising God and declaring the joy of this day. When God uses such a term to describe the number of them, the idea is that the sheer number of them is mind numbing. There is something so powerful in this. Throughout Old Testament history, angels had been involved in being messengers of God’s announcements, yet most often it was one angel that made a declaration. But on this day…so many of them are a part of this – a massive multitude! This incredible group of angels are so excited over what is happening that they all crowd into this everlasting declaration.

First and foremost – it is a day to glorify God.

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest

There is a sinful part of man that exalts us, puts man first and becomes man centered in all of life. It is easy for us to jump straight to the part of this that effects us directly – yet if we do so….where we do so…we miss the heart of the message, we miss the quality, the wonder, the power and more. This day that took place at the birth of Christ was an incredible day of glory for and to God. Only where this is true and received can we get to the next word in the declaration which is “And” that shows us what God has done for us here. Today, and this season, if we respond to it rightly, it is a time to glorify God! May it be so this season! Will you join the angels this season in this declaration?

Second – it is peace to men.

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men

Peace…what an incredible thing. Peace in the midst of world that knows nothing really about it. A world where war, pain, selfishness, sorrow, emptiness…and at the heart of it – sin – robs us of peace. The heartbeat of this season, in regards to man, is that it is the brining forth of peace.

What peace is this speaking of? Real peace! Peace that begins with our relationship with God (Rom 5:1) and incredible working of God’s grace is permeating lives today and in God’s perfect timing will be complete in our eternal home in heaven.

The question here for you is this – do you have this peace? The NASB Bible gives a better rendering of this passage this way:

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.

So who are those with whom God is pleased? Those who come to Him through Christ.

For He Himself is our peace …

He came and preached peace

to you who were afar off

and to those who were near.

For through Him we both have access

by one Spirit to the Father.

(Ephesians 2:14–18)

Only Christians have what this season is about…the peace that we have in Christ. Not to be too silly by using a bumper sticker kind of slogan to apply this…but here is the reality.

No Jesus, No peace

Know Jesus, Know peace

Today, if you do not know this peace…then I call you to Christ and His work in brining us peace.

Today, if you know this peace…I wonder if in this season God is not calling us to come alongside the multitude of angels and echo their declaration in our hearts and through our lips….with great joy! I wonder if God would not draw us to consider this announcement as the theme of this season…and prayerful, the echo of our hearts.

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest

And on earth peace,

goodwill toward men

(men with whom He is pleased.)

Jim

Beware of CHRISTmas Weeds

Jim Suttle — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:58:59 +0000

“Now these are the ones

sown among thorns;

they are the ones

who hear the word,

and the cares of this world,

the deceitfulness of riches,

and the desires for other things

entering in choke the word,

and it becomes unfruitful.”

(Mark 4:18-19)

It has become something of an annual reminder

For the last few years, as the CHRISTmas season has begun, I have taken time to make one of the e-mail edifications about “Christmas weeds”. Today, I do so again – longing that God would strengthen us to overcome the predicament in front of us so that this can be a spiritually fruitful season in our lives.

Will this be a fruitful CHRISTmas for you?

Honestly, the outcome is in doubt and perhaps more difficult than any other time of the year. Let me explain. In the Parable of the Sower, quoted above, Jesus pictures God’s Word like seed that is sown into hearts for the purpose of bearing a crop. Again, our hearts are pictured like a garden soil that is receiving seed for the purpose of producing a crop – the Bible is that seed.

Now consider the CHRISTmas Irony.

In this season, the name of Jesus is spoken more of than any other time of the year. People will constantly hear, see and speak of birth and coming Jesus. Television shows, plays and more will broadcast the truth of the Bible in ways they do no other time of year. The secular world itself will be singing His songs, speaking His name, even quoting the Bible. Yet, the irony, is in the midst of this blitz of truth in our world….it is often a very spiritually poor season. Why is it that CHRISTmas is often spiritually barren?
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains to us why seed that is good, that is sown can be unfruitful. One of the issues that effects the Seed…is weeds. Like a garden that is full of weeds, the weeds choke out the nourishment of the soil and the seed is unproductive. This is the picture for us…the abundant word of God that is being spoken and spread this season, choked out by weeds!

What are the Weeds that choke the Word?

and the cares of this world,

the deceitfulness of riches,

and the desires for other things

entering in choke the word,

and it becomes unfruitful.

Jesus describes three things that hinder the Word impacting us.

First- cares of the world. Worries, anxiety, and even just extreme business that distracts.

Second – deceitfulness of riches. Money is deceitful, it promises us satisfaction but it does not satisfy.

Third – desires for other things. Other things grabbing our attention, the attention that should be focused on God. Wanting and desiring things.

CHRISTmas is a weedy season!

Maybe it is just me – but when I look at these three things – worries, money and desires for things – I find myself thinking how those three things could almost be found in a definition of what Christmas is today. If you also find it to be so, then you now see the challenge before us. There are a bunch of weeds that would seek to choke out your heart this season and keep you hearing from and responding to God.

The challenge before us – deal with weeds!

You may not be able to escape the craziness of the season and actually being busy is not necessarily bad. The issue is your heart! The issue is making sure that what you are focused on, living for is not the glitz and glamour that this season promises…and leaves people empty. The need is that you make sure You have time and focus for the Word of the Lord, the Bible, to make impact in your life.

Don’t let this day, this week, this season – be in vain. I challenge you to make sure that the Word of the Lord is not choked out in your heart by lesser things.

“”Now these are the ones sown among thorns;

they are the ones who hear the word,

and the cares of this world,

the deceitfulness of riches,

and the desires for other things

entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

(Mark 4:18-19)

Jim

This is a once a week devotional e-mail sent out from Pastor Jim Suttle from Calvary Chapel of Roswell, NM

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Mexico Update – Getting Wired!

Jim Suttle — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:50:19 +0000

Hi guys,

Got this update from Ernesto and wanted to share it with you guys. The Building is getting their wiring done!

Click to view slideshow.Hola señor pastor Jim, this is just to let you know that our place has being wired, the Lord is so good.

it seems the violence is slowing down only to 1 execution in the last 27 hours, if compared to 12 a day.
Thanks for your prayers.
ernie

Is being Thankful Important?

Jim Suttle — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:40:56 +0000

Clink the link below to go to today’s E-mail Edification

Today’s Edification
1 Thessalonians 5:18

As you consider today’s edification – what thoughts, questions, additions or prayers would you add to this? Please post in the comments below!

God’s Guidance Does Not Always Make Sense

Jim Suttle — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:00:31 +0000

Clink the link below to go to today’s E-mail Edification

Today’s Edification
1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

As you consider today’s edification – what thoughts, questions, additions or prayers would you add to this? Please post in the comments below!

Would you be persecuted? Today’s Eedify

Jim Suttle — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:30:18 +0000

Clink the link below to go to today’s E-mail Edification

Today’s Edification
1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

As you consider today’s edification – what thoughts, questions, additions or prayers would you add to this? Please post in the comments below!

Good Church Attenders

Jim Suttle — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 16:41:02 +0000

I recently came across a brief article that outlined some of the ways church members can (and should!) serve their church on a Sunday morning. I thought it was something worth considering and thought I would post it here.

Before the Service

Read the passage in advance
Pray for the gathering
Greet newcomers (act like you are the host)
Think strategically about who you should sit with
Arrive Early

During the Service

Sing with gusto (even if you can’t sing)
Help with logistics (if there’s a problem, help fix it)
Don’t be distracted
Don’t be distracting
Listen carefully
Be aware of your facial expressions (you may affect others and discourage preachers)

After the Service

Connect newcomers with others
Get newcomers information
Start a conversation about the sermon
Ask someone how they became a Christian
Pray for someone
Stay late

What do you think? Is there anything that should be added to the list?

God appoints authorities – Today’s Eedify

Jim Suttle — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:44:37 +0000

Clink the link below to go to today’s E-mail Edification

Today’s Edification
Romans 13:1

As you consider today’s edification – what thoughts, questions, additions or prayers would you add to this? Please post in the comments below!