Since I will likely be scheduled for an angiogram this week some events may be canceled. Check your email for changes.

Wednesday Bible study will continue exploring in-depth the principle of discipleship, 3:30.

The sermon next Sunday will focus on Noah with comparisons made between the days of Noah and the return of Jesus.

Blessing to all!
Pastor Bowman

DEVOTIONAL, 1/25/21

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23, NKJV).

There are various ways the New Testament describes salvation. Salvation means to be saved, to be justified, to be redeemed, or to be born again (as in our text). Peter describes the new birth as taking place through the Word of God. When we read such great texts as John 3:16 and believe what it says, we are born again. Peter describes the Word of God as a seed. The seeds we use to plant a garden will become corrupted over time. They will not germinate. The Word of God found in the Bible is like a seed, but one that will never lose its power. It is a seed which lives and abides forever.

Therefore, when you read and believe a text such as John 3:16 or Acts 16:30-31, you are reborn into the Kingdom of God.  The revealed truths of God found in Scripture were valid in the first century, and they are in force in the 21^st century. As Jesus said, “my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35).

What must I do to be saved? It’s not complicated. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” That is God’s promise to you. It is a promise that will never fail.

Father in heaven, how I thank You for making salvation so simple and straightforward.  You call upon me to believe in Your Son with the promise that I am born again when I believe. Praise be unto Your most holy name. I do believe, and I pray in His name, Amen. 

DEVOTION, January 23, 2020, Free slaves

But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to him, and the result is eternal life (Romans 6:22, GNT).

This verse presents us with a paradox. On the one hand, we are set free from sin, but we become slaves of God. Which is it? Freedom or slavery? Paul says it is both. When we trust in Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we have been set free from sin. But God does not free us from sin to live life any way we choose. Once we are set free from sin, we become slaves of God. Out of gratitude, our lives are fully dedicated to God. Both sides are true, but we must make a distinction. Freedom from sin is a gift. Living as a slave to God requires our active obedience. How well we live as slaves does not impact the free gift of eternal life. It does affect whether we receive divine blessing or divine discipline.

If we fall short in our service to God, we must repent or face divine discipline. Our disobedience does not cancel the free gift, but we can never disobey God and not suffer consequences. Out of love, God disciplines His wayward children. The good news is where it all ends. The end of the Christian faith is eternal life. All who trust in Jesus with integrity will receive eternal life, even if they have not always lived as faithful slaves. However, the more faithful we are, the less we will face divine discipline. So, as the hymn suggests, we are to “Trust and Obey.” Trust brings eternal life. Obedience brings divine blessings. Our verse gives a succinct summary of the Christian life.

Father, I thank You for the free gift of eternal life. I thank You that I have a reservation in heaven because of what Jesus has done for me. Help me to live my life as a willing slave, seeking always to obey Your will.  I want to honor Jesus in my daily life. Amen.

DEVOTION, January 21, 2021

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. (Matt. 5:14).

Are you shining brightly for Jesus? Am I living in such a way that others are drawn to Jesus? I can recall driving into Minneapolis on Interstate 35 and suddenly seeing the bright lights of the city. The light could not be hidden. What about us? We believe in Jesus, but do others see Him in us? Are we shining brightly for Jesus? The world was in darkness before Jesus came.

Paul tells us to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). We are the light of the world in the sense that the light of Jesus shines in all who believe in Him. However, that light can be repressed. We do not always walk (live) as children of light. If we love the light of Jesus, we will want to share that light with those still in the darkness. Jesus says we are to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify the heavenly Father. Jesus also issued this warning: “Take heed, therefore, that the light which is in thee be not darkness” (Luke 11:35).

We need to live out the children’s chorus, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Are you shining brightly for Jesus?

Father, I thank You for the light of Jesus, which shines in my soul. I pray that His light will shine out of my life into the lives of others, drawing them to faith in the Savior. I want my light to shine brightly, for Jesus sake, Amen. 

DEVOTION, Jan. 19, 2021

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).  Please notice and always remember what Paul has just said.  Those in Christ are blessed and showered with good things, but these blessings are primarily spiritual.  We are blessed in the heavenly realm with spiritual gifts.

Paul asks us to look beyond this material world, to lift our eyes towards heaven, and receive the spiritual blessings God desires to give His people.  I want to make three statements about spiritual blessings. One today, with more to follow.

First, spiritual blessings are communicated to our inner man by the Holy Spirit.  Spiritual blessings primarily affect the human spirit.  It is our human spirit or soul which controls our life. You can always tell when you are not focused on spiritual blessings.  If you find yourself overwhelmed with worry concerning the Coronavirus; if you find yourself thinking obsessively about all that is wrong in your life; if you are feeling defeated by life; you may need to focus more on spiritual blessings and less on your temporal life with all its problems.

Paul says we have all the spiritual blessings we need in Christ.  We need to keep them in mind, constantly reminding ourselves of what we possess in Christ, and as we do, we shall be victorious over the circumstances of life. What are spiritual blessings? The list is long. We will look at some specifics tomorrow.  

Father, I thank You for the many spiritual blessings you have brought to my inner life. Help me to focus more on these blessings and less on external problems. Like everyone else, my life is a mixture of earthly problems and spiritual blessings. I pray that the good things You do for me will take priority over my problems. In Jesus name, Amen.