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The Place of Crossing

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The Place of Crossing Dear Saints, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! As we journey together in faith, it is important to remember the significance of the places God has chosen for us to cross from one season to another, from one blessing to the next. Just as the Israelites had their "Place of Crossing," so do we have our appointed places where God calls us to step out in faith and trust in His promises. In the Old Testament, we read about the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land. After years of wandering in the wilderness, their moment of crossing came at the Jordan River. In Joshua 3:15-17, it is written: "As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away... So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jorda

The Mystery of the Blood and Water: Exploring the Profound Significance of Jesus' Crucifixion

When Jesus was crucified, something remarkable happened: blood and water flowed from his side, a sight that left many witnesses stunned and bewildered. This event has profound theological and symbolic significance for Christians, pointing to the power and mystery of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. In this post, we will explore the biblical and theological meanings of the blood and water that flowed from Jesus' side, and what they reveal about the nature of God's love and redemption. One of the key biblical passages that describe this event is John 19:34-35, which says: "But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe." The significance of the blood and water can be understood on several levels. First, they are a powerful symbol of the atoning power of Jesus' death on the cross. As 1 John 1:

For such a time as this

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we navigate through these turbulent times, I am reminded of the story of Esther and Mordecai, who faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles yet remained steadfast in their faith. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of God's providence and the strength of His people in times of trial. "For such a time as this" - these words uttered by Mordecai to Esther have echoed throughout history, and still ring true for us today. Just as Esther was called to use her position of influence to help her people, we too are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God. As Romans 12:6-8 reminds us, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giv

Stay Connected to Jesus: Flourishing as Tall Trees

 In the Bible, trees often symbolize spiritual truth, and one of the most powerful images is that of Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. This metaphor invites us to consider how our lives are connected to Christ, and how we can flourish and grow in any circumstance. In this post, we'll explore this image and how it can inspire us to stay connected to Jesus, the true source of life. As we've seen, the image of the vine and branches appears in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Israel is often depicted as a vineyard, a people chosen and cared for by God. In the New Testament, Jesus takes up this imagery and applies it to himself and his disciples. He says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). What does it mean to abide in Jesus as the vine? First, it means recognizing that he is the source of our life, the one who sustains us a

Take up your sword and fight the good fight with the Word of God!

A Letter of Encouragement from Our Pastor JK. Woodall, Ph.D. 🙌  Subject:  Take up your sword and fight the good fight with the Word of God! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we have been given a powerful weapon - the Word of God, which is our sword. This sword is not physical, but spiritual, and it has the power to bring down strongholds, defeat the enemy, and change lives. I am writing to you today to urge you to actively use the sword given by God. In these times of great spiritual warfare, we must be vigilant and ready to fight. We cannot be complacent or passive, but we must engage in spiritual battles with the full armor of God and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Word of God is our ultimate weapon against the schemes of the enemy. It is living and active, and it has the power to discern truth from falsehood, defend against spiritual attacks, bring about conviction and repe

Feeling the Touch of Jesus: A Journey of Healing and Restoration

 Have you ever felt lost, broken, or hopeless? Have you ever yearned for healing and restoration? If so, you are not alone. Throughout history, people have turned to God for healing, guidance, and strength. And in the Bible, we see that Jesus had a special gift for healing through touch. In the Old Testament, touch was used as a symbol of power, blessing, and healing. In Exodus 29:20, Aaron and his sons were anointed as priests by a touch of blood. In Leviticus 4:15, the priest laid hands on a sacrificial animal to transfer the sins of the people. And in Numbers 27:18-23, Moses laid hands on Joshua to commission him as his successor. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus continued this tradition of healing through touch. In Mark 5:25-34, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched Jesus' cloak and was immediately healed. In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus touched a deaf man's ears and tongue to heal him. Through these stories, we see that Jesus' touch was a powerful symbol

Welcome to Your New Month of March 2023

 Happy March, the 3rd month of the year! In Hebrew tradition, the month of Adar (which corresponds to March) is a time of renewal and return to God. As we embrace this new month, let us remember the biblical significance of the number 3 and the Holy Trinity.  Let us seek renewal through faith in Jesus Christ, who offers us the gift of eternal life. Take time this month to reflect on your spiritual journey and commit to growing closer to God. #Renewal #Return #March #HolyTrinity #FaithInChrist.

From Stones to Savior: The Ultimate Symbol of Remembrance

Stones have been a powerful symbol of remembrance throughout the Old Testament. From the twelve stones set up by the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River to the monument erected by Saul at Ebenezer, stones were tangible reminders of God's faithfulness and power. But in the New Testament, a new symbol of remembrance emerged: the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament and ushered in a new covenant between God and humanity. No longer did we need physical stones to remind us of God's faithfulness - instead, we had the living, breathing presence of Jesus Himself. His sacrifice serves as the ultimate reminder of God's love and grace, and His resurrection assures us of our own future resurrection and eternal life. But Jesus didn't just leave us with words - He left us with a tangible reminder of His sacrifice in the form of holy communion. When we partake of the bread and wine, we remember Jesus' body bro