Present Suffering; Future Glory

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (NKJV)

As we continue our journey through the book of Romans, we find joy in studying chapter 8, which, many scholars agree, to be the crown jewel of the entire epistle. While reading this great chapter the above verse leaped from the page and has not let me go since. It’s hard for me to express succinctly my enthusiasm concerning the content of the chapter and how it blessed me and members of our congregation on Wednesday evening. Please allow the following summation of John MacArthur’s treatment of the text to suffice.


“Those who do not know Christ have no hope when they suffer. Whatever the reason for their affliction, it does not come upon them for Christ's sake, or righteousness's sake, and therefore cannot produce for them any spiritual blessing or glory. Those who live only for this life cannot look forward to any resolution of wrongs or to any comfort for their souls. Their pain, loneliness, and afflictions serve no divine purpose and bring no divine reward.

Christians, on the other hand, have great hope, not only that their afflictions eventually will end but that those afflictions actually will add to their eternal glory. Long before the incarnation of Christ, the prophet Daniel spoke of believers' glory as "the brightness of the expanse of heaven," and as being "like the stars forever and ever" (Dan. 12:3).

As followers of Christ, our suffering comes from men, whereas our glory comes from God. Our suffering is earthly, whereas our glory is heavenly. Our suffering is short, whereas our glory is forever. Our suffering is trivial, whereas our glory is limitless. Our suffering is in our mortal and corrupted bodies, whereas our glory will be in our perfected and imperishable bodies.”

MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Romans 1-8, pp. 450

Afrocentric Sunday

This past Sunday at GSJ, we culminated the month of February with a remarkable day celebrating our heritage as a people. Led by the wonderful people of our Gospel Chorus, the congregation was encouraged to wear Afro-centric attire during our services and invited to take part in a feast called “Taste of Soul” following the 11am service. Despite the snow we received over the weekend, our attendance was reasonable and we had a joyous time in worship, praise and fellowship. During both worship experiences, the choir once again favored us with several hymns and spirituals that were rendered during a recent concert. It was a great day. Thanks to Richard Armstrong, here are some photos that captured the day.

My Wife's Birthday

Today, we celebrate the birthday of my beloved wife, Jennifer. There are no words available in the English language that can adequately describe what she means to me. I owe much of my success as a pastor, preacher, person to her undying love and unwavering commitment towards me over the years. It is my prayer that this day will provide her much satisfaction as she grows another year “younger.”

Happy Birthday Sweetness!!!!

God's Promises Are Yes

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in Him. Therefore the “Amen” is also through Him for God’s glory through us.—2 Corinthians 1:20

God keeps every promise He makes. When we walk in intimate fellowship with Christ, we have the assurance that every promise God has made in Scripture is available to us. This truth should motivate us to search the Scriptures for each promise in order to meditate upon its potential for our life.

Jesus promised that when you ask for something in His will, He will give you what you ask (John 16:23b). This promise is available to every Christian. If you ask God if this promise applies to your life, His answer is yes. If you are not now experiencing this promise, it does not change the fact that God has said it. You may need to seek God's answer for why His promise has not yet reached maturity in you.

Paul claimed he had tested each of these promises in his own life and found them all to be abundantly true. That's why he could speak of the “exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7b) and the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8b). Paul had found a wealth of God's promises and enjoyed them all in abundance.

Don't become discouraged or impatient if you are not experiencing to the fullest all of God's promises in your life. God may want to prepare you to receive some of the great truths He has made available to you. Walk closely with your Lord and, in time, you will see Him bring His promises to fruition in your life.

By Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
Experiencing God Day by Day: A Devotional and Journal

Sunday Recap at GSJ

Sunday was an absolutely fabulous day of worship and praise to a deserving God. Despite the additional two inches of snow to add to the roughly 58 inches we’ve already received so far this winter, the attendance at all three services was simply wonderful. During our 8 & 11 am services, we were led by our youth which is usually the case on third Sunday, and as usual we were blessed. Truly God is doing a great work in the lives of His little ones.

I did not preach the 8am service, however during the 11am service I preached a message emphasizing the importance of training our youth to love God, live and labor for Him. The sermon was based on Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 13:24; Deuteronomy 6:6-8; and Ephesians 6:4 just to name a few. The message was well received and God added two people to the church including one as a candidate for baptism. God be praised for making His presence known, and for the rich fellowship we share through Christ Jesus.

That afternoon at 4pm, we hosted the 19th Ecumenical Service remembering the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This service is sponsored annually by The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of St. Joseph County (IMA), led by our out-going president, Pastor Timothy Rouse of First A. M. E. Zion Church. This was his last charge as president as the mantle will be passed to our new president, my brother and fellow blogger, Pastor Keith D. Witherspoon of Bethlehem Baptist Church. We were graced with the presence of Mayor Lueke, members of his staff, elected officials from every corner of the city, Pastors, ministers and a host of others from all walks of life.

Our featured guest for this occasion was Dr. Addis Moore, Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church (mtzionkalamazoo.org), in Kalamazoo, MI. Many from his congregation traveled the snow covered roads to support their pastor in the preaching moment. Both he and the choir set the place ablaze as the atmosphere was one of jubilant praise throughout. The sermon he preached was entitled “Deliverance is in the Power of the Church taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The Lord used him in a masterful way and we were blessed immeasurably. I am not at liberty to share his outline but take my word for it, he came to preach and that he did. We left the place more determined to bridge the gap between church and community with The Church leading the way. Although we have much cause for celebration in lieu of Dr. King’s dream and looking ahead to the Inauguration of our nation’s first African-American President, the church remains accountable to make our God ordained stamp on society in order that we may experience real healing. What a Day!!!!! Today, many events are scheduled to continue our observance of Dr. Martin L. King's life and work. I sincerely hope you will take the time to praise God for how far we've come and continue to press on. See you soon.

Dr. Moore, Pastor McGhee, Dr. Dennis D. Engbrecht of Bethel College (bethelcollege.edu)

Most People Who Have A Problem With God

Most people who have a problem with God handle Him in one of two ways:

· They pretend He does not exist:

Which solves the problem of accountability. If He doesn't exist, we are free to live our lives as we please. There remains, however, the thorny problem of explaining how we all got here. The trick is to concoct a fairy tale to the effect that everything around us just "happened." "Chance." TALK ABOUT LIVING BY FAITH!

Currently evolutionists are telling us it all started with amino acids. But where did they come from? Tough to explain away the gnarly issue of "First Cause."

Perhaps this is why God states "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Psalm 14:1).

· They re-invent Him:

Let's face it, His demand on us for all of our heart, soul, mind and strength is pretty steep, given the fact that we'd rather play than carry a cross. So we cope by:

Reducing God to a manageable size:

"Knowing God, they refused to honor Him as God… hence all their thinking ended in futility, and their misguided minds are plunged into darkness. They boast of their wisdom, but they have made fools of themselves… because they have bartered away the true God for a false one." (Romans 1:21, 22, 25 – neb)

Collecting around us religious leaders who tell us what we want to hear about God:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers according to their own desires." (2 Timothy 4:2)

Romans 11:22 speaks about the kindness and severity of God. To those who acknowledge Him for who He is: Kindness. To the rest: Severity. As always, the choice is ours.

Facts of the Matter: Daily Devotionals by Dwight Hill

Happy New Year

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

We take this opportunity to wish every one a safe and prosperous New Year. Philippians 3:12-14 gives us at least 3 helpful hints to ensure a greater result this time around. They are:

I. Realize Your Present Situation

- Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.

II. Release Your Past Successes

- Forgetting (to no longer be influenced or affected by) those things which are behind.

III. Reach for the Prize Steadily

- Reaching forth unto the things ahead; Press toward the mark....

May God's richest blessings be upon you all.