The Pastor's Heart 

  Cling To The Old Rugged Cross

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. – 1 Cor. 1:18


“So I'll cherish the old rugged Cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged Cross
And exchange it some day for a crown.” -
George Bennard
 
In this troubled world now more than ever
Christians need to cling to the cross of Jesus Christ.
A violent plague has brought the world to a standstill.
The streets of major cities are empty, curfews have been
placed upon many, businesses have ceased their operations,
and many countries have closed their borders. People are
dying daily at an alarming rate. Fear and anxiety are in the
hearts of people from all walks of life, the rich and poor alike.
In these troubled times the Word of God gives
us strength, hope, comfort and healing.  
The Apostle Paul wrote to a troubled Church in Corinth
which faced internal as well as external attacks.
Church members who were copying the immoral lifestyles
of the world around them needed to be reminded that sin
had no place in the Church.
The Church faced bitter persecution from the wicked
who hated the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul chose the preaching of the cross for as the remedy for
these attacks. To the ungodly the cross has no meaning.
To us who believe the cross of Christ is the power of God!
 
-The Cross of Christ is the Cure!
Our focus of faith is on Jesus who went to
Calvary’s cross to redeemed us from our sins. Consider
the sufferings of Jesus on Calvary’s cross. "He was wounded
for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and
with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
Jesus paid the price no one else could pay, that you
could be delivered from a sinful life and an awful
eternity. Remember the beatings, the crown of thorns,
the nails that pierced His hands and feet, the hatred of
the crowd around the cross mocking and jeering the Righteous
Savior, the spear thrust into His side. The cross reminds
believers victory was secured by Jesus Christ. The cross
reminds believers salvation is in Christ. The cross reminds
believers because of Jesus I am healed both spiritually and physically!
The Cross is the POWER of GOD! 
 
-The Cross of Christ is the Cure for the Dying.
The message of the cross seems foolish to those who
are perishing. They are perishing because they are sinners
(Romans 3:10-23). They are perishing because they will not
come to Christ (John 5:40). They are perishing because they
will not believe (John 3:36). Sadly many religious people are
perishing. Good works cannot keep one from perishing
 (Isaiah 64:6). Keeping the law cannot keep one from perishing
(Galatians 2:21). Religious ceremonies can’t keep one from
perishing (John 1:13). Only receiving the message of the cross
by faith saves from perishing! “Unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” Jesus died on the cross that we might have eternal life (Isaiah 53:5-6).
There is a unifying power for believers when
we cling to the old rugged cross! There is a spirit of revival
for the people of God when we cling to the old rugged cross.
There is a hope that makes us not ashamed when we cling to
the old rugged cross. There is deliverance from Covid-19
when we cling to the old rugged cross. In a world filled with
trouble cling to the old rugged cross. Whether you are under
a curfew or a stay at home order – Cling to the old rugged
Cross. Cling to the cross by praying and reading God’s Word.
Cling to the cross in daily devotion. Cling to the Cross by
rehearsing the Word of God which has been preached
in Holiness Temple. Cling to the cross by living holy.
Cling to the cross by being faithful to the truth.
Cling to the cross every day till you exchange it for a crown.
 
God bless you,

Bishop Dr. Elaine A. Brown
Bishop David W. Brown
 
 
 
 
Stick To The Task      

 

"No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62.

Continuance in the work of God was one of the controlling thoughts and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. That was why He warned His followers of the dangers of looking back or taking your hand off the gospel plough. He marveled at those who received His blessings of healing and salvation only to run off and leave Him. when the going got rough, He said, "If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed." John8:31. We must continue when the sunshine vanishes and there is nothing but clouds in the sky. We must continue through summer and winter, through bright or stormy weather.

 

Nothing could divert Jesus from the path to the cross. He resisted every temptation to give up. He prayed continually to reinforce His will to the great triumph of continuing. Through days of trial, He held to the task that was given to Him of the Father. We must continue through sunshine or rain for that's the only way to reach the goal. The ship must sail on to reach its harbor. The plane must continue to fly to reach its destination. There is no rest stop in the sky or on the water. They must keep on going on and so must the child of God.

 

Don't allow the devil to detour you, slow you down or distress you. Satanic forces are coming down on God's people today more than ever before and with great fury. Many are unprepared in their God given privilege to hurl back those forces of darkness. They are not praying and fasting as they should so as to have power to bind these Satanic evils. So, to the desire of the devil, they give in, they throw down the plough and start running around looking for something else to comfort them. Their vision becomes blurred, their vows are broken and they slip from the perfect will of God into the permissive will.

 

The Lord is depending on us to get this great job called Holiness Temple done. It is until the final conflict is fought and the battle is won. For it is only those who continue at the job He assigns will hear the final words "Well Done."

Jesus said to the saints at the Church of Smyrna " Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Persecutions, trials, tribulations, hardships and sufferings of all kinds will come our way but we cannot be weak-minded, fickle minded or wishy-washy. We must be bold, courageous and full of determination to make it all the way. It takes determination to endure and persevere in these trying times. Sometimes it will feel like all Hell has broken loose upon you but giving up is not the thing to do. Giving up never leads to winning. The saying is still true " A winner never quits and a quitter never wins." What you must do is observe those who are continuing. Look for good examples and imitate them. It's not everybody that is quitting. It is more safe to stay in the race. You are more sure of  your crown when you stick to Heaven's assignment. Don't be absent from duty. Heed the orders of our Great Commander in Chief. Sail on through the fogs of life, avoid the icebergs, Heaven's safe harbor is in view, see it's light bursting and breaking over the horizon.

 

Keep the faith, continue in the race for God always rewards His servant. "Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matthew 25:21.