Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church

3239 Rosebud Road Walnut Cove NC 27052
Pastor: Dr. Tim Nelson -  Church Office 336-591-36112
A Place To Encounter God Face To Face. Gen. 32:3

A Word From The Pastor Archives 2021
October 2021
 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

How would your life change if you committed to meeting with God every day in His Word?  The writer of Hebrews tells us the Word of God "is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart"  (Heb 4:12)

God's Word is power.  God watches over His Word to perform it (Jer 1:12) .    His Word is His plan, and His plan is something He makes happen.  God's words are "God breathed" words (2 Tim 4:16).  God's Word is precious, valuable, a treasure (Psa 138:2).  The Word sanctifies (purifies, cleanses), "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17).  No wonder the apostles gave themselves to undistracted prayer and the Word of God (Acts 6:4).

Adapted from:  https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/the-power-to-change.html/

Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you; ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.  Deuteronomy 5:32

The chronology of Deuteronomy is at the end of Moses' life and the end of Israel's forty years of wondering.  Moses is giving the generation that will enter the Promised Land, what was given to their parents and grandparents in Exodus, before the years of wondering began.  Deuteronomy 5 is the second time the ten commandments were given.  The first was in Exodus 20.  Moses is trying to help the generation get on a right footing with God.  He is sharing about God's love and patience so that they would desire a relationship with the Lord, a relationship that flows out of the fear of the Lord and obedience to His Word.

Moses, who gave the Law, called God's people into a relationship with God.  Jesus, who gave His life, calls God's children into a growing relationship with God, a relationship that flows out of the reverential fear of God and the faithful obedience to His Word.  Jesus said in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments.  Let us not turn to the right hand or to the left, but keep our eyes on Jesus, as we determine to observe to do what the Lord commands and live each day to glorify Him.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving.  Psalm 95:2a

Today is a day to celebrate and be thankful.  The word celebrate or celebration means to observe a notable occasion. Today is a notable occasion as we celebrate the fact that God has brought us together to worship and fellowship with Him in this place as He has brought believers together over the past ninty-nine years.

We celebrate and are thankful as we remember what God has done, but we are also thankful for what God is doing and what He is yet to do through the life and ministry of the Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church.  As we look ahead, let us pray and believe that the spirit and fervor that planted a Pentecostal and holiness witness in this community will continue to fulfill that purpose for the glory and expansion of the Kingdom of God.

The well known "shepherd hymn," Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, Much we need Thy tender care; In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use Thy folds prepare."  The author, Dorothy Thrupp (1779, 1847) wrote many hymns originally intended for children, but her words include all of us who follow the God Shepherd.

In the tenth chapter of John we discover that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who has a close relationship with His sheep (vv, 3-5, 27).  We also discover that Jesus, the Good Shepherd intends a full or abundant life for His sheep (v10).  And we discover that Jesus, the Good Shepherd loves His sheep sacrificially, giving His life for them (vv 11, 15, 17-18).  The Good Shepherd leads us and cares for us and one day will shepherd us eternally.

Adapted from:  https://www.todayintheword.org/daily-devotional/jesus-our-good-shepherd/