PASTOR STEVE'S BLOG

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." - Mark 2:5 Jesus had gone to the small cities, then returned to Capernaum or the city of Nahum meaning "comfort". Many were gathered together in a house and there was no more room, yet, when Jesus is present, those who have faith will find there is room for them. Four men brought a paralytic to Him, but were unable to get in because of the crowd. Not letting the crowd keep them from Jesus, they went above the heads of the crowd, onto the roof, and made an opening to let down the man on his pallet. Jesus saw their faith, and spoke the word to him. The first thing He did was to forgive the man's sins. Only God can forgive sin. Religion sits and reasons, seeing outwardly. Jesus looks inwardly. Faith moves with action while religion sits and critiques. Jesus showed them that He was God, forgiving the man, and then healing him. The man took up his pallet and walked. We a...

"Cast your burden upon the LORD and He shall sustain you. He shall never allow the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22 A burden is something that is carried or held onto, whether it was passed on to us or we reached out for it. None of us had any interest in carrying this current burden of the day, it was simply put upon us. Yet, it has caused us to change much of what we do and have planned and live for. God, through the psalmist is encouraging us to cast this burden upon Him. A vivid rendition of "cast" is to hurl or fling. The Apostle Peter also tells us to cast all of our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. When we believe and trust that God is for us, we won't be moved or shaken. [1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 124:2]. He has given us over 8,000 promises in His Word! Jesus invites those of us who are heavy laden to come to Him and get rest for our souls. Take His yoke upon you, for His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. His commandments are not burdonsom...

In these challenging days it is easy to set our attention on the voice that speaks the loudest. In Mark chapter 9, when Jesus took three of His disciples up to the mount of transfiguration, a Voice spoke to them. Elijah and Moses were at that meeting, and both of them had heard this same Voice at strategic times in their lives. The living Voice spoke in the presence of Jesus and these three disciples and said, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him." Then they were alone with Jesus. I would encourage you to get alone with Jesus and let His Voice speak to you through His Word. Many other voices will speak to you as though they have authority over you. Shut them out for awhile and let Jesus speak to you through His Word. His Word is magnified above His Name (Psalm 138:2), and He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. I share these simple Scriptures with you: "But live in the fear of the LORD always" - Proverbs 23:17 "Let the fear of the LORD be ...