One Body

"so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another...that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another." (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:25 NKJV) A year ago this week, Tennessee experienced a devastating "200 year" flood. Gary Burr, a songwriter and former Tennessean, wrote a song called Flood Song. It says, in part, "when one of us falls we all fall, when one of us needs we all need, when one of us stands we all stand." This is how God intended for us to be toward, and with, one another. We lift each other up in the hard times, rejoice together in the good times, and when necessary we stand together. We are meant to be one and not fragment. This is a part of loving, as Christ loved us. There seems to be so many natural catastrophes and other turbulence in the world, that now more than ever we need to reach out to one another helping, loving and caring for one another. This is the will of God, for the people of God. Thanks be to God! Love, Beau

The Greatest Gift of Love

HE IS RISEN! ALLEULIA!! "Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.' Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead." (John 20:1-9 NKJV) God loved us so much that He gave His only son that we might be freed from sin and death. If we believe in God, and give our lives to Him, we don't have to be tied to our sins anymore. And, we can have eternal life! This is the greatest gift of love that we could ever receive! "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away...For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (Romans 6:10; Revelation 21:4; John 3:16 NKJV) Thanks be to God for His greatest gift! Amen! Love, Beau

Waving Palm Leaves

"...took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: " Hosanna! ‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!" (John 12:13 NKJV) As Jesus makes His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, people took branches of olive tress and waived them as Jesus rode by. It was not a matter of convenience, or coincidence, that people grabbed Palm tree branches. In biblical times, Palm trees were a symbol of joy and victory. And Jesus, through His death, would become victorious over sin and Satan, death, and the world. To all that believe in Him and follow Him, this would become the foundation for all that is good, bringing joy, peace, and eternal life. So, as we go into this Easter week, let us waive our palm branches, in whatever form they take, celebrating with joy the victories of Jesus given to us. Love, Beau

Praise be to God!

"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." (2 Samuel 22:3 NKJV) Because God made us, knows everything about each of us, and can see things we cannot yet see, His will for us is perfect. God knows what is best for us and how best to protect us from harm. If we trust Him, he will protect us and guide us, and lead us from harm. God will only lead us into righteousness, goodness, and joy. God's word has proven true through thousands of years. All we have to do is read through The Holy Bible to find many examples where God followed through on our promises to us. We know we can count on His word to be steadfast and true. We can count on God, and His way is perfect! We ought to always passionately praise God and give Him the glory for all that He does for us, taking care to mention specific times God has delivered, protected, and redeemed us. Praise be to God for His many blessings and mercies! Love, Beau

Moment of Grace

"And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" (Luke 23:43 NKJV) This is an important moment for multiple reasons. Two thieves have already been hung on the outside crosses, and Jesus is hung on the middle one. At this point Jesus prays for those who are to crucify Him. This stirs something within one criminal. He realizes Jesus is indeed who He says He is, and is there unfairly. The thief confesses his unworthiness to Jesus and asks to be remembered. Christ, in return despite his own agony and struggle, showed pity and grace to this man. This is what Christ's whole life and purpose was, and is, about. The forgiveness of sin. Make no mistake that, since we have no idea how long our stay on earth is, time is important in asking forgiveness and being freed from our sins. However, as in this case, we should never lose hope in others AND ourselves. Christ gave Himself so that ALL may come to Him, and at any time. In this we can have assurance and be freed. Love, Beau