Temple Baptist Church

Information may not be reliable

Prayer Meeting & Teen Discipleship
Every Thursday evening at 7 pm! Adults and children, join us for a time of corporate prayer and Bible study. Teens ...

Youth Ministry Outreach
to Nesconset Nursing Home . . . meet at 5:30. We will lead activites for the residents! Pick up time is 10:30 pm, but ...

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13
Christ is sharing a parable of contrast with His listeners. The first character is a self-righteous Pharisee who boasted of his own personal goodness. He arrogantly exalted himself above the sinful behaviors of others. The other man was a broken tax collector. He could not look up as he prayed knowing he was guilty before a Holy God. He beat his chest in shame and cried out for mercy. It was this latter man that went from the presence of God justified; it was this humble man that found forgiveness.
Which describes you? Do you stand with you head held high in self-righteousness or do you bow humbly before God? The encouragement to the vilest of sinners is that if your heart is humble, you can find forgiveness and peace with God. Dont run from Him in your sin. You should not avoid Him out of shame either. Go to God today and in humility find His peace.

"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten." Exodus 13:3
Gods supernatural deliverance of Israel out of Egypt is truly amazing. God in a very real way made His presence known to a hurting and oppressed people, His people. He did what man might have thought was impossible. This miraculous event was something that was to be remembered. This day was to be celebrated, and this celebration was to be passed down from generation to generation. We know it today as Passover; still remembered by the Jews. As Christians, we need to see that God continued to work in human history and sent His Son to be our Passover Lamb. He was the sacrifice that enabled us to be spared from death. So, when life seems tough and you are really hurting, know for sure that your God cares. In His time and in His way, He too will deliver you, and it will be by His strong hand that He will do it.

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isaiah 58:11
The prophet offers a wonderful word of encouragement to Israel. This message was vivid with imagery and hope in what God the Father was going to do in their lives. Consider how wonderful this promise is and I believe that it is as true today as it was then. Our God offers the Christian the same promise of guidance and satisfaction to us. This is primarily accomplished through the Holy Spirit. John describes the coming Comforter as both an indwelling spring of water and a guide Who will lead us into all truth. This is also seen in the work of Jesus Christ in the believers life as a Shepherd. In a fitting way, the Scriptures once again display a harmony in the Godhead. The Trinity is consistent in the work they preform; their goal and promises remain. Christian, take courage in the fact that the God of heaven loves you and knows just what you need. In difficult times trust in His promises and plans for your life.

"Remember His marvelous works that He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth." Psalm 105:5
We as people have such a difficult time remembering. We so quickly lose from our memory those things that matter most. The Psalmist challenges his readers to remember; to mentally discipline the mind. The first item that we are called to keep close attention on are the marvelous works of God. These are the times when God did something extraordinary, supernatural, or even unexpected. These are clearly things done by an almighty God, beyond human explanation. The second item for recall is the Word of God. These are the righteous instructions of an all wise God.
Christian, set aside time to read the Bible and discipline your mind to meditate on the Word and the works of God. As you go about your daily routine, be attentive to those moments when the Holy Spirit is whispering and rehearsing these things in your mind. It is through His Word that your steps will be guided and your life will be established. So listen and remember what He said.