Tag / tampa bay

by In Light Of The Cross

Glimpses of Grace; Far As The East Is From The West

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalms 103:10-12

Notice the Psalmist did not say as far as the north is from the south, but as far as the east is from the west. If you go north, eventually you will cross the north pole and then be head south, but if you go east, you can go east forever and never be headed west. So the Psalmist chose east and west instead of north and south to show how far our loving Savior wants to separate us from the record of our sins.

What Sin?

It happened so long ago And I cried out for mercy back then

 I plead the blood of Jesus Begged him to forgive my sin

 But I still can’t forget it It just won’t go away So I wept again, “Lord wash my sin,”

 

But this is all He’d say

 

What sin, what sin? That’s as far away As the east is from the west

What sin, what sin? It was gone the very minute you confessed

Buried in the sea of forgetfulness


The heaviest thing you’ll carry Is a load of guilt and shame

 You were never meant to bear them So let them go in Jesus’ name

 Our God is slow to anger Quick to forgive our sin

So let Him put them under the blood Don’t bring them up again

 -Morgan Cryar

by In Light Of The Cross

Glimpses Of Grace; God’s Amazing Grace

I am writing this morning from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Our faith responds to God’s grace. God gave us His grace while we were still enemies and before we had faith. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Some have the idea that God looks down on us, and if He sees we have faith, then He gives us grace and saves us. That is legalism. It is just transferring the works of the flesh to the works of the brain. We are not saved by the works of the flesh or the works of the brain, but by the blood of Jesus. The Bible teaches that my faith is in response to God’s grace.

Discover in God’s Word how God has already accepted you bu grace. What will your response be?

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6

I Would like to invite you to discover this grace at the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Pastor Brad Cassell.

If you are not in the Tampa Bay area, you can find a grace filled church here.

by In Light Of The Cross

Glimpses of Our God; In The beginning

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  John 1:1-3

I have always heard people say it takes more faith to believe in evolution than it does to believe the Bible creation story.  I have heard people say, it takes more faith to believe that there was a big bang and all of a sudden there was life. However, while fully believing the creation story, I did not necessarily agree with their logic. To me it takes as much faith to believe, “bang! there is God” as it does to believe “bang!! there is life.”  Finally I realized the difference. With God there was no bang. He did not just begin existing. He has always existed. He never began. He always was, is and will be. To me, as mind boggling as that is, makes a lot more sense than a big bang theory to begin life or a God. To me it answers the logic issue about it taking faith to believe in a big bang which began God or life without a God.

The evolution theory robs the concept of love and the cross from the brain. Not only do we have a loving Creator, but He was also our Redeemer from the foundation of the world. He created the tree He knew would be used to make the Old Rugged cross. What Love!

By the way, a few weeks ago I was watching a documentary on the History Channel. They were saying scientists have discovered a gene that clearly has never evolved. It had to have been created. They were suggesting an alien from outer space came and donated that gene. I could not agree more! By the way, I call that gene donating space alien GOD!

To study this week’s SS lesson click here.

To download the SS lesson guide app to your phone click here.

by In Light Of The Cross

Glimpses Of Grace; God’s Provision For satan’s Tricks

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Satan has a little trick he loves to play on us. He whispers in one  ear, “Go ahead and commit such a sin, you deserve it, it’s alright.” Then once he has deceived his victim, he whispers in the other ear, “I can’t believe you just did what you just did!” After what you just did you can no longer walk with God so don’t even try.” Yet, when Satan tells us we are too great a sinner to walk with God, Jesus comes and puts His nail scarred hand in ours and not only tells us to continue walking with Him but He actually pleads with us, “walk closer to me this time.” Remember, Enoch did not walk with God because he was strong. He walked with God because he knew how weak he was without God.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.” 1 John 2:1,2

“How careful is the Lord Jesus to give no occasion for a soul to despair. How He fences about the soul from Satan’s fierce attacks. If through manifold temptations we are surprised or deceived into sin, He does not turn from us and leave us to perish. No, no, that is not our Saviour…. He was tempted in all points like as we are; and having been tempted, He knows how to succor those who are tempted. Our crucified Lord is pleading for us in the presence of the Father at the throne of grace. His atoning sacrifice we may plead for our pardon, our justification, and our sanctification. The Lamb slain is our only hope. Our faith looks up to Him, grasps Him as the One who can save to the uttermost, and the fragrance of the all-sufficient offering is accepted of the Father. 

     If you make failures and are betrayed into sin, do not feel then you cannot pray … but seek the Lord more earnestly.

     The blood of Jesus is pleading with power and efficacy for those who are backslidden, for those who are rebellious, for those who sin against great light and love. Satan stands at our right hand to accuse us, and our Advocate stands at God’s right hand to plead for us. He has never lost a case that has been committed to Him. We may trust in our Advocate; for He pleads His own merits in our behalf…. He is making intercession for the most lowly, the most oppressed and suffering, for the most tried and tempted ones. With upraised hands He pleads, ‘I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.’ Isa. 49:16. 

     I would I might sound the glad note to earth’s remotest bounds. “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Oh, precious redemption! How broad this great truth is– that God for Christ’s dear sake, forgives us the moment we ask Him in living faith, believing that He is fully able!”  (Our High Calling p. 49)

If you are in the Tampa Bay area I want to invite you to celebrate this amazing grace with us at the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church. If you are somewhere else, click here to find a church in your part of the world.

by In Light Of The Cross

Glimpses Of Grace; The Only Right Worth Dying For

I am writing this morning from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

 

 

Then he turned to Jesus and said, “Lord I believe in you! Please remember me when you set up your kingdom. Jesus turned His head towards Him and said, “I promise you today, When I return with the glory of my Father, I will take you home with me to paradise.” Luke 23:42-43 CWB

As the son of God, Jesus had the right to wear a crown of gold, but He let man take it away and give him a crown of thorns instead. Jesus had the right to wear a royal robe, but Jesus let man take that too as He hung naked on the cross. Jesus had the right to live, but He let men take away His life. On the cross Jesus gave up all of his rights except one. When a lifelong sinner, turned to Jesus on the cross, Jesus would not give up the right to forgive sinners. On the cross the only power that Jesus exercised was the power to forgive sin. Wow! He didn’t ask for His crown of gold back. He didn’t ask for His clothes back. He didn’t ask for His life back. The only thing He asked was, “Father forgive them.”

That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. “Whosoever will” may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life. -Desire of Ages, P. 745

This Friday, January 6 at 7pm  we will be celebrating this agape love at the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Pastor Brad Cassell. There will be an agape feast and communion service. I would like to personally invite you to come and celebrate the wonderful love of Jesus if you are in the Tampa Bay area.

Click here to celebrate God’s amazing grace at a church near you.

by In Light Of The Cross

Glimpses of Grace; Hope For The Hopeless

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. Matthew 9:12

Its the sick who need a doctor. It is the sinner who needs a Savior, and it is the hopeless who need hope. Often we are inclined to help those in whom we see potential, or who at least show us some promise. If we think they can make it then we will help them. But isn’t it the hopeless who need hope? Isn’t it those who are lost who need a guide? This year, ask God to send all the hopeless people your way. Ask God to send your church all the rebel youth that nobody else wants at their church. Tell God to send them all over to your church! You’ll love and care for them and give them hope. Ask God to send you the winos, the drug addicts that nobdoy else wants to deal with. You will love them.

Jesus did not die to give hope to those with potential. No, He died to give hope to the hopeless!

 “Often He met those who had drifted under Satan’s control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory. –The Desire of Ages, p. 91.”

If you are in need of hope, please contact us at the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church. God loves you and so do we!

Find a caring church anywhere in the world by clicking here!

To subscribe to the daily “Glimpses of the Cross” devotionals just click on the top right of this page,  where it says “Subscibe to In Light of The Cross by e-mail.”

by In Light Of The Cross

Blogging Etiquette

I am writing from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Bloggers love to receive feedback on what we share with the world. In a humble attempt to make the blogging world a more pleasant place, here are some thoughts I have on blogging etiquette.

Okay, there is no better way to say this, so I am just going to come right out and say it. If a blogger does not allow your rebuttal to be posted on their blog for the whole world to read, it may not be that you are right, and they just don’t want to admit it. It may be that your argument is so absurd, that the blogger is saving you public embarrassment by just not publishing your argument. A while back someone made a comment on my blog, arguing with what I was saying. I know I am not always right. I will say I am one of the quickest people to admit when I see I am wrong. More than a few times I have told my Bible marking class of 5th and 6th graders, “I was wrong.” They found it refreshing for a teacher to admit their errors. I make many. However, in this case, I was right and the person rebutting my blog was being unreasonable. I knew this person, and that they hated Adventists and just liked to argue. I prayed and decided not to post their comment or respond. Later, while reading another blogger’s blog, I ran across the same person arguing with them too and even writing, “I bet you won’t post my comments because nobody does since I am right and they are wrong.” How sad this person doesn’t realize the true issue.

One time I posted the comments of a man arguing with me about my post. I then replied to his comment, sharing why I believed the way I did. He then responded with another post that must have been three pages long. Sorry, if you are going to write that long of a comment you need to get your own blog! I did not post his thesis.

Another time, a man posted a comment on my blog, once again with a different point of view. I posted his comment and then posted my reply. He replied once again with a rebuttal. After several exchanges I told him we need to agree to disagree. He still sent more comments trying to argue. My policy is, that if you continue contacting me to argue, after I have already said, “let’s agree to disagree” you are now considered a psychopath! I started deleting his comments and personal e-mails without even reading them. Several weeks later they finally stopped coming.

Sure, I enjoy those comments commending my posts and confirming my point of view. However, I need to be challenged in my thinking, and I need to quickly admit when I am wrong. I will “come to my senses” a lot quicker when comments are polite and reasonable. Thanks to all of you who post polite and reasonable comments commending AND criticizing my blog. I post ALL comments that are politely and reasonably written, regardless if I agree or not.

by In Light Of The Cross

Galatians; The Two Covenants

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Please notice in the inspired quotes below that the new covenant came before the old covenant. In Genesis 3 God offered His grace, but man chose to establish his own righteousness. When Paul refers to the old covenant, he calls it old because it is useless, not because it came first. The new covenant was God’s original covenant of trusting in His grace and power instead of our own promises and strength. Please notice too, that niether covenant does away with the ten commandments. Reconciliation to the law is the goal in both covenants. In the new covenant we trust Jesus to reconcile us by His grace and power, while in the old and useless covenant we try to reconcile ourselves by our own strength and effort.

 

                    God’s Plan to Ransom Man

     And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Genesis 17:7.   As the Bible presents two laws, one changeless and eternal, the other provisional and temporary, so there are two covenants. The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden, when after the Fall, there was given a divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. To all men this covenant offered pardon, and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s law. Thus the patriarchs received the hope of salvation.  This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 22:18. This promise pointed to Christ. So Abraham understood it, and he trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sins. It was this faith that was accounted unto him for righteousness. The covenant with Abraham also maintained the authority of God’s law. The Lord appeared unto Abraham, and said, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” The testimony of God concerning His faithful servant was, “Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Genesis 17:1; 26:5. . . .    The Abrahamic covenant was ratified by the blood of Christ, and it is called the “second,” or “new,” covenant, because the blood by which it was sealed was shed after the blood of the first covenant.    The covenant of grace is not a new truth, for it existed in the mind of God from all eternity. This is why it is called the everlasting covenant.   There is hope for us only as we come under the Abrahamic covenant, which is the covenant of grace by faith in Christ Jesus. The gospel preached to Abraham, through which he had hope, was the same gospel that is preached to us today. . . . Abraham looked unto Jesus, who is also the author and the finisher of our faith.                                                                           

                       Man’s Inability to Save Himself

 

     Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16.        Another compact–called in Scripture the “old” covenant–was formed between God and Israel at Sinai, and was then ratified by the blood of a sacrifice. . . .         God . . . gave them [Israel] His law, with the promise of great blessings on condition of obedience: “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then . . . ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:5, 6. The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God’s law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.” Exodus 24:7. They had witnessed the proclamation of the law in awful majesty, and had trembled with terror before the mount; and yet only a few weeks passed before they broke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant, and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. . . .        The terms of the “old covenant” were, Obey and live: “If a man do, he shall even live in them;” but “cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.” Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 27:26. The “new covenant” was established upon “better promises”–the promise of forgiveness of sins, and of the grace of God to renew the heart, and bring it into harmony with the principles of God’s law. The only means of salvation is provided under the Abrahamic covenant. -The Faith I Live By, pages 77-78 by Ellen G. White.

by In Light Of The Cross

Galatians; The Road to Faith

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

Galatians mentions the law often. Sometimes it can be confusing as to which laws apply. Here is a study that I hope helps.

The Two Laws

HOW WERE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WRITTEN?

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God

Exodus 31:18


Comment:

WHERE WERE THESE COMMANDMENTS PLACED?

And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

Exodus 25:16

NOTE: The top of this “ark” where the commandments were placed was

the called the “mercy seat” and represented the throne of God. Above the

mercy seat was the visible presence of God (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2;

Hebrews 9:5), thus revealing that the law of God is the very foundation of

His government.

WHAT ELSE WAS IN THIS ARK?

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 5:10


HOW LONG IS GOD’S LAW TO ENDURE?

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

 Psalm 111:7-8


WHO WROTE THE CEREMONIAL LAW?

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished.

Deuteronomy 31:24

WHERE WAS THIS LAW PLACED?

That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Deuteronomy 31:25, 26


HOW LONG WAS THIS LAW TO STAND?

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances,

imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Hebrews 9:10

WHAT DID THE LAW THAT WAS ABOLISHED CONTAIN?

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:15

WHAT WAS BLOTTED OUT AT THE CROSS?

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Colossians 2:14

TO WHAT DID THESE ORDINANCES POINT FORWARD?

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself

Hebrews 7:26-27

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 Hebrews 9:11-12


Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Colossians 2:17

WHAT PRACTICE WAS TO CEASE WHEN JESUS DIED?

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,…

Daniel 9:27 

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE TEMPLE WHEN JESUS DIED?

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold,

the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom ; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Matthew 27:50, 51

HOW DID JESUS SAY WE ARE TO CONTINUE IN HIS LOVE?

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

 John 15:9-10

WHAT DOES GOD SAY OF THOSE WHO DO NOT KEEP THEM?

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2:3-4

 WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL LIARS?

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8

WHERE WILL THE COMMANDMENT KEEPERS BE?

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life

, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 21:4

The Two Laws Contrasted

THE MORAL LAW

Spoken by God

Deuteronomy 4:12, 13

Written on tables of stone

Exodus 31:18

Written with God’s finger

Exodus 31:18

Placed inside the ark

Exodus 40:20

A perfect law of liberty

James 1:25

Consists of moral standards

Exodus 20:3-17

The basis of God’s government

John 15:10

Brings a knowledge of sin

Romans 3:20

Will stand forever

Psalms 111:7, 8

 

 

THE CEREMONIAL LAW

Spoken by Moses

Leviticus 1:1-3

Written in a book

Deuteronomy 31:24

Handwritten by Moses

Deuteronomy 31:24

Placed beside the ark

Deuteronomy 31:26

A witness against the people

Deuteronomy 31:24

Consisted of ordinances

Hebrews 9:10

A shadow of Christ’s ministry

Colossians 2:14-17

Pointed to the Remedy for sin

Hebrews 9:11-13

Temporary, until Jesus’ death

Ephesians 2:15

by In Light Of The Cross

Galatians; Old Testament Faith

I am writing today from the beautiful Tampa Bay area.

 

 

 

 

Here are my thoughts about this week’s SS lesson about Old Testament faith. You can also download the SS lessons to your cell phone.

In Genesis 15:6 God calls Abraham righteous, because He believed God’s promise. In Genesis 22, God tells Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac, and thus tested and proved Abraham’s faith to be a real faith, and not just a pretend or fairy tale faith. Real faith leads to real obedience. Earlier in Genesis 12, Abraham showed lack of faith when he asked Sarai to lie about their relationship in Egypt.” God tested Abraham again, even more severely, to demonstrate before the universe, why He was able to call Abraham righteous.  “It is thus that God still tests His people. And if they fail to endure the trial, He brings them again to the same point, and the second time the trial will come closer, and be more severe than the preceding. This is continued until they bear the test, or, if they are rebellious, God withdraws His light from them and leaves them in darkness. “ {Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 437} 

I had not been back home from college, too long, when I started working for a business forms company. I falling behind on some of my bills. I had been promised a raise which I had yet to receive, so I decided to “work out” my own salvation from these late bills. I was not going to stop paying tithe, but I decided to use my tithe to pay my bills. I recorded how much tithe I owed so I could pay it all back when I got my raise. Weeks later, what I owed on tithe was adding up and I still had no raise. Feeling guilty, I confessed to a friend that I owed tithe, but would pay it later when I got my raise. My friend told me what I already knew. I would not get my raise until I paid my tithe.

We got our pay checks every Friday, but this Friday I did not go into work or pick up check since I had the day off. Still, I went ahead and stepped out in faith and obedience and prepared my tithe check to turn in on Sabbath, which I did. Monday I went into work and picked up my paycheck that had been sitting there since Friday. I opened it up and there was my raise! I will never forget how God tested my faith and I proved Him to be faithful! When God tests our faith He is really asking us to test His faithfulness to us!

This same faith in the Old Testament is seen again in the New Testament, when Jesus tests Philip’s faith in feeding an entire multitude in John 6.