Good evening brethren and Happy Sabbath!  I hope everyone is doing well as we deal with a bit of winter weather this week.  A few lost power for several hours, but all seemed to manage the storm!

Unfortunately, the weather and illness has once again required we cancel in person services tomorrow.  You can tune into our live webcast however at 11 AM here.  Also, there is no bulletin for this week.

Please continue reading "Jesus Christ: The Real Story."  For those who are reading online or might already have a hard copy of the booklet, you might read Chapters 2 and 3 "Jesus' Amazing Fulfillment of Prophecy" and "A Sinless Miraculous Life."  

Wanna Trade?

Have you ever swapped items with someone?  I don't mean trading cash for a car or groceries, but an actual trade.  Maybe your peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a friend's pimento cheese during school lunch.  Or perhaps something more tangible?

In the 2004 film 'Aviator', Howard Hughes allegedly traded a motorcycle for an old airplane.  In the movie, Hughes had a beautiful new motorcycle - an Indian - one prized by collectors today.  The farmer had an old, run down crop dusting airplane he never used anymore.  The farmer thought he was getting the better end of the deal (and in financial terms - probably did!), but Hughes was fascinated by the opportunity to fly.  The deal was made and both left happy.

I have no idea if that story is true, but it illustrates a point: When it comes to people trading things, monetary value isn't always the most important consideration.

Whatcha Got?

What do you own today that is worth something?  Maybe a prized family heirloom such as a gold pocket watch.  Or maybe it's a collection of your grandmother's handmade quilts.  While someone, somewhere might be able to put a value on those things, perhaps you cannot, and wouldn't trade them for anything.

Could you say the same thing about your life?  Most of us would immediately think, "Of course I can't put a value on my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything!"  But the reality is, if you already have.

A deal worth making

In Luke 14:26 (NLT), Christ stated, "If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else--your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple."  If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, you have already agreed to trade your life.

While we may have to sacrifice some things here and now, we can rest assured that this trade is well worth it.  In Revelation 22:12 (NKJV), Christ promises, "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." May God speed the day we can complete this trade!