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Word of the Month
- Spirit - 


Spirit  |  Healing  |  Fasting  |  Draw Near  |  Believe  |  Complacency  |  Blessed  |  Repent  |  Faith  |  Endurance


December 2024
The Spirit is Speaking!

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The Spirit of God is speaking! He’s speaking to each one of us, bidding, encouraging, correcting even warning all to hear with a response, receive with an action and to heed with conviction.  He’s speaking primarily through the Scriptures to lead and guide into union, oneness and harmony with the Father!  Thus, He speaks for our sake, for our wellbeing and for our future.  At times He speaks in a still small voice and at other times He speaks with trumpet volume, but He does speak! He affirms and corrects, He admonishes and directs, He speaks to both the young and old, the male and female, the spiritually mature and immature. And, within each book, letter, prophecy or sermon, there is a calling for people to pay careful attention because within the writing, respectively, there is an opportunity and a temptation to both regard or dismiss, consider or neglect, adhere or ignore what is pertinent to the life of self-proclaimed believers. 

 

To reinforce the point, Jesus ends at least seven difficult sayings with, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  It’s an admonishment to receive what may be difficult to digest.  And, the same advice is offered as the written prophecy within Revelation begins with warm greetings but quickly highlights the snares in which seven categories of people, who espouse themselves as Christians, must be wary of.  The Spirit is indeed speaking and those who have ears, in other words, those who are yielded and vigilant, alert and teachable, will diligently self-assess and course correct throughout life—never taking the words of Christ or the cross itself for granted, but rather, transforming intentionally and daily into the image of His dear Son.

 

The Spirit is speaking to people who have assembled because of faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who have believed the witness of those within the first century, who have made a public confession of faith in Jesus as the anointed One, who have believed and spoken or testified to others what they have seen, heard and known of Jesus as their personal Messiah.  The Spirit is present to put to death the deeds of the flesh so that the believer can live in a way that is greater than the day they first believed, love in a way that is stronger than natural inclination and loyally identify with Christ regardless of the cost.  The Spirit of God is speaking, offering with sobering reality how life in Christ is a life of surrender and submission to the only Sovereign.

 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ seems to summarize for the church what the Spirit is saying in how to overcome; so there is exposition, exhortation and finally encouragement.  And while it would be hubris of me to think that I can offer full interpretation of such a complex book, I do think the Spirit is speaking to each of us, as the church, starting first with those who have replaced a love for God with godly indignation alone (Revelation 2:1-7).  He then urges faithfulness amidst weariness and persecution (Revelation 2:8-11).  Next, He warns those who compromise allegiance to God through idolatry (Revelation 2:12-17).  He exposes the influence that brings contamination of body and spirit and cautions believers to be attentive (Revelation 2:18-3:1-6).  Finally, He encourages the faithful with the promise (Revelation 3:7-13) before chiding those who are indifferent (Revelation 3:14-22).  With every word to the church—that is with those who assemble or gather as believers in Christ Jesus, the reader will find the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”, because He does speak.

 

His words are daunting at best, but I also find the clear directives throughout the Scriptures, particularly those in Revelation, to be a beautiful reminder that I have a choice in life to either prepare for eternal life in a passive or intentional manner or ready myself with apathy verses reverence.  And, each time I consider my options, the Spirit is speaking, nudging me to keep working out my salvation with fear and trembling, to keep growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep striving towards the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus, to keep laying aside the weight and sin that would easily beset me; that is, to keep choosing life. 

 

And, when I do, when you do, we are the church, heeding the voice of the Spirit because the Spirit of God is speaking.

 

Father, I thank You for speaking to the church—I thank You for speaking to me.  May I have ears to hear what You are saying and a heart to receive.  I repent for every place in life where I have ignored the leading of Your Spirit to do what was right in my own eyes, and I ask that You create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me, that I may live with wholehearted devotion and a willingness towards Your purposes and plans, regardless of the cost.  I commit my ways unto You, and pray that You would be glorified through Your Son within the church—that is, within my life.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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​- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: December [Top]
The Spirit is Speaking!

The Spirit of God is speaking! He’s speaking to each one of us, bidding, encouraging, correcting even warning all to hear with a response, receive with an action and to heed with conviction.  He’s speaking primarily through the Scriptures to lead and guide into union, oneness and harmony with the Father!  Thus, He speaks for our sake, for our wellbeing and for our future.  At times He speaks in a still small voice and at other times He speaks with trumpet volume, but He does speak! He affirms and corrects, He admonishes and directs, He speaks to both the young and old, the male and female, the spiritually mature and immature. And, within each book, letter, prophecy or sermon, there is a calling for people to pay careful attention because within the writing, respectively, there is an opportunity and a temptation to both regard or dismiss, consider or neglect, adhere or ignore what is pertinent to the life of self-proclaimed believers. 

 

To reinforce the point, Jesus ends at least seven difficult sayings with, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”  It’s an admonishment to receive what may be difficult to digest.  And, the same advice is offered as the written prophecy within Revelation begins with warm greetings but quickly highlights the snares in which seven categories of people, who espouse themselves as Christians, must be wary of.  The Spirit is indeed speaking and those who have ears, in other words, those who are yielded and vigilant, alert and teachable, will diligently self-assess and course correct throughout life—never taking the words of Christ or the cross itself for granted, but rather, transforming intentionally and daily into the image of His dear Son.

 

The Spirit is speaking to people who have assembled because of faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who have believed the witness of those within the first century, who have made a public confession of faith in Jesus as the anointed One, who have believed and spoken or testified to others what they have seen, heard and known of Jesus as their personal Messiah.  The Spirit is present to put to death the deeds of the flesh so that the believer can live in a way that is greater than the day they first believed, love in a way that is stronger than natural inclination and loyally identify with Christ regardless of the cost.  The Spirit of God is speaking, offering with sobering reality how life in Christ is a life of surrender and submission to the only Sovereign.

 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ seems to summarize for the church what the Spirit is saying in how to overcome; so there is exposition, exhortation and finally encouragement.  And while it would be hubris of me to think that I can offer full interpretation of such a complex book, I do think the Spirit is speaking to each of us, as the church, starting first with those who have replaced a love for God with godly indignation alone (Revelation 2:1-7).  He then urges faithfulness amidst weariness and persecution (Revelation 2:8-11).  Next, He warns those who compromise allegiance to God through idolatry (Revelation 2:12-17).  He exposes the influence that brings contamination of body and spirit and cautions believers to be attentive (Revelation 2:18-3:1-6).  Finally, He encourages the faithful with the promise (Revelation 3:7-13) before chiding those who are indifferent (Revelation 3:14-22).  With every word to the church—that is with those who assemble or gather as believers in Christ Jesus, the reader will find the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”, because He does speak.

 

His words are daunting at best, but I also find the clear directives throughout the Scriptures, particularly those in Revelation, to be a beautiful reminder that I have a choice in life to either prepare for eternal life in a passive or intentional manner or ready myself with apathy verses reverence.  And, each time I consider my options, the Spirit is speaking, nudging me to keep working out my salvation with fear and trembling, to keep growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep striving towards the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus, to keep laying aside the weight and sin that would easily beset me; that is, to keep choosing life. 

 

And, when I do, when you do, we are the church, heeding the voice of the Spirit because the Spirit of God is speaking.

 

Father, I thank You for speaking to the church—I thank You for speaking to me.  May I have ears to hear what You are saying and a heart to receive.  I repent for every place in life where I have ignored the leading of Your Spirit to do what was right in my own eyes, and I ask that You create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me, that I may live with wholehearted devotion and a willingness towards Your purposes and plans, regardless of the cost.  I commit my ways unto You, and pray that You would be glorified through Your Son within the church—that is, within my life.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

​

​- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: November [Top]
Healing and Deliverance

The most powerful statement made in my reading was that “Jesus saves”!  And while salvation is typically a reference to eternal life, this one statement by Francis McNutt gives perspective to all of our readings concerning God’s power towards the spirit, soul and body of man; and it is both encouraging and compelling.  It is encouraging because God has given His Son so that people can be completely delivered from the power and ravages of sin and death—we don’t have to live bound or powerless.  Jesus’ triumphant work on the cross affords victory in every area of life.  And, because of His sacrifice we are not only made alive spiritually, but we are compelled to live in wholeness and offer the same to those around us because the ministry of Jesus Christ continues for and through New Testament believers, not as an anomaly but as a norm (John 14:12).  

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is for a person’s complete healing and deliverance—from the curse of the law, from the oppression and power of sin and the unlawful attack of the enemy.  And, with this freedom, Christians can approach the great commission beyond the proclamation alone, but with the signs and wonders that Jesus said would follow those who believe.  If we can embrace the fullness of Christ and respond to the supernatural as a natural way of living; that is, live like God is alive, then we can be an extension of Christ’s mission in the world to set the captive free. 

 

So, I really appreciate the readings because it came with personal soul searching, and a prayer that we would all find the information insightful enough to fulfill the great commission where the blind see, because of our bold faith; the dead are raised, because we have expanded our capacity to believe; the deaf hear, because we follow Christ’s example and lay hands without reserve; where those with incurable diseases are healed, because we cast out the unclean spirit; and, the good news is preached to the poor, because we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  My prayer is that we’d all fear God more than we quiver at demonic activity and provide answers to people who are desperately broken, bound and without the knowledge needed to resist the devil.  So, I found the resources were an antidote, and prayerfully it’s been enough to push me out of my comfort and piety because I have the answer for freedom.  That regardless of the issues people face, I/we are truly equipped for works of ministry.

 

Which is the primary reason I appreciated Francis McNutt’s writings, particularly.  He shares in a way that any one of us should be able to relate.  We meet people who are tormented and oppressed by a lie commonly accepted in modern day society as a normal malady of the flesh; but through his transparency, he admits to shortcomings and failings before offering direction of process and testimony.  I felt validated by Charles Kraft’s assessment that because so many people suffer and are in great pain, we as a church must live holy and be willing to engage spiritual warfare with an earnest and vigilant period of intercession.  And, I was pleased with Fred Dickason’s willingness to offend in order to wake the church to the reality of demonic activity, easily overlooked, but reckoned with by the power of the cross.

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I left the readings with greater clarity on the process that I need to consider when ministering to God’s people; not only so that I may live in freedom, but so that I can with confidence lead people systematically through a process of deliverance for their freedom.  Going forward I may begin with repentance, but I will be more aware of the need to renounce the past and break any and every affinity towards the lie.  

 

My prayer is that God will be glorified through my life and in the life of those I serve, and I believe this course shaped a bit more of how I can minister to God’s people more effectively.

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​- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: October [Top]
Fasting and Prayer for our City

When a person sins against God forgiveness is available through Christ Jesus.  When a city has transgressed against God, absolution can seem farfetched because compounding ills plaguing communities appear to be without viable solutions.  And yet, Scripturally, there is an answer!  With wickedness comes warnings, and God will relent when we fast and pray.

                                      

The reality is, with sin comes the destruction of life and the degradation of any society, but God does not just exact punishment without warning, rather, He gives grace and reveals (Amos 3:7).  He does not overlook humility, but He forgives (2 Chronicles 7:14).  And, He does not ignore the prayers of the righteous, but He answers (Psalm 34:15).  No matter how pervasive or great the sin, through Christ forgiveness is still available as our Father responds to people with love, compassion and integrity.

 

We see the same in the book of Jonah.  Though the storyline begins with Jonah’s disobedience and subsequent adventure, those events should not overshadow the love and compassion of God towards the city called, Nineveh.  Because of God’s love, the prophet cried out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”  The warning was enough for the king to consider his ways and then marshal his city towards repentance.  Jonah 3:6-9 records the king “arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, ‘Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?’”  Jonah 3:6-9

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God saw their display of repentance, He saw their rejection of evil and “relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.” Jonah 3:10. The good news is, God remains the same today as He was yesterday; and every time we determine to heed the warnings of sin found in Scripture, and humble ourselves, imminent doom upon our cities can be averted.  Even more, we can find favor from God that affords much grace towards others.

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For instance, the depravity within the city of Sodom was known by God, and while the residents within did not entertain repentance, God would uphold His integrity and honor His promise to one man, Abraham, by sparing his nephew, Lot.  2 Peter 2:8 says, Lot was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds of those within his city; and while the magnificent events of Lot’s deliverance: the rain of brimstone and fire, the turning of his wife to salt, and the smoke that plumed like a furnace from a distance, could divert our attention away from the point, it also underscores the power of prayer as Abraham understood the impending doom, he interceded for his own and as a result, the city remained until Lot’s departure.  In Genesis 19:22 Lot is told, “Hurry, escape there [to a nearby city].  For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” The fact that God would uphold destruction until Lot left the city is absolutely amazing

 

Plenty of people within our respective cities, then, are benefiting from our decision to remain and our earnest intercession for those in our immediate surroundings or zip code.  Proverbs 3:29 says, your neighbor dwells by you for safety’s sake!  And because of God’s love for people and His integrity and compassion towards all, when you combine fasting and prayer, He hears and He does relent—He saves, He spares, He gives grace. 

 

Destruction may be on the horizon, but I pray that we’ll use this time of fasting and prayer to truly intercede for people in our respective cities:  Pray for city officials, for the school board, for local hospitals and labor workers.  Pray, and experience a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence, just as Paul promised in 2 Timothy 2:2.  Pray and see the power of God at work in your life and in those around you.  Pray.  Let’s pray.  Our cities, your city—needs you.

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Father, I cry out to You because You see all things and are still slow to anger and abounding in love and mercy.  So, today, I humble myself before You and declare Your Sovereignty over this city (name).  Lord, where wickedness and depravity have come before You, remember the blood of Jesus, blot out our transgressions and be the Light in this city that breaks the darkness.

 

I command the prince of the power of the air, that spirit that works in the sons of disobedience in this area, to flee now!  Jesus is Lord here, and I pray for the conviction of the Spirit of God to arrest the hearts of both young and old; male and female; and, every nation, tribe and tongue.  Father, send laborers into this city that salvation would come to the lost.  And make me a bold witness of Your love.  I pray for a godly sorrow to come upon the hardest of hearts, and for a repentance that leads towards conversion that there may be a time of refreshing in every family, business and church.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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- Pastor Qwynn Gross​​

Word of the Month: September [Top]
Set Aside Time to Draw Near to God 

"In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." - Daniel 10:2-3
 

By grace we are living in the precious gift of time. Yet, as fleeting as it is slow, time is also the one commodity that is taken for granted by too many of us until it’s too late. The reality is, we appropriate and squander time in different ways, but within the same measure of 24 hours we each prove what we value most by what we do with our time; we prove where our allegiance is by how we allot our time; and, we prove where our true affections are by how we steward our time. Which means, as individual Christians, who love God sincerely, there is always time to draw near to God.

There is time to draw near because, we of all people know Him to be alive, and Sovereign! We call Him holy and claim to believe in His ability. We read the Scriptures and hear testimonies of how God intervenes in the affairs of man. So, we trust that His ear is not dull of hearing, nor His arm too short to deliver. We believe that He does speak peace to His own and that He reveals secret counsel.

The God we serve has proven His faithfulness and it should be enough to motivate each one of us towards a faithful pursuit of Him, in turn. Yet, somehow and in majority, we still allow the distractions and cares of life to hamper us from living on purpose and for purpose. Paul told Timothy, that God “…saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…” (2 Timothy 1:9). Thus, we exist for Him! So surely, we can find or carve out time for the One we were created for.

And so, to help us—lest we waste any more time, the book of Daniel introduces a young man who would draw near to God with consistency. From the beginning, Daniel demonstrated his values by declining the king’s table. Throughout the book, he proved his allegiance by choosing God above pagan culture. He showed the world his true affections (were God and Jerusalem) through a custom of seeking God three times per day. He found and carved out time—time to pray, but also time to humble himself before God with fasting.

That was his general disposition. And in Daniel 10, after considering the prophetic word of Jeremiah, he said, “I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled”. Again, Daniel set aside time for God because he understood the value; because he was clear about his allegiance and, though a slave, he had true affection toward God.

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And as a result, there seemed to always be an ethereal response! In fact, so great was Daniel’s encounter in chapter 10, that those standing with him would flee in fear! They couldn’t hear or see anything, but the atmosphere was weighted by glory as Daniel’s eyes were opened, and he would hear an affirmation of God’s love, as well as receive a promise of more revelation.

The entire book of Daniel is an extraordinary read as Daniel’s regular and consistent pursuit of God seems to be the trigger for consistent favor and glory from God.

It is enough for the busiest among us to, not just yearn and hunger for more of God, but to take an active step towards setting time aside for Him. That is, to first determine what in our lives we have made more important than an earnest pursuit of our Father. What have we deemed more worthy than Him? And, the answer is not cerebral. The answer is found in our schedules and in our checking account statements—the answer is found in what eats the majority of the 24 hours we each have in a day.

And thankfully, there is grace to adjust our findings so that we can better prove how we value the One who saves our soul; better prove our allegiance towards our great God; and, really demonstrate true affection towards our good, good Father.

And, I dare say, there is grace to make those adjustments of our time, today.

Father, I thank You for the gift of time and I repent for the many ways I have prioritized so many things above You. Forgive me, Lord, and restore the joy of my salvation that I may want You more than anything and anyone else. I choose You, and determine today that You have the best of me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

- Pastor Qwynn Gross

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Challenge:

  1. Set the best fixed time within your day to pray and read Scripture.

  2. Determine how long you will meet with God daily.

  3. Determine where you will meet with God.

  4. Enjoy your fellowship with Him!

Word of the Month: August [Top]
Repent of Unbelief and Hardness of Heart 

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” - Hebrews 3:12-13.

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As Christians, Jesus Christ is the essence of who we are. He is the “why” to what we hold true. Our world is framed by Him; our foundation is in Him; we are formed through Him and His resurrection is the underpinning of our relationship with God, our hope for eternal life and our confidence in every promise made. We are Christians, not because of our own work or merit, but because of a decision to believe like Abraham (Genesis 15:6). Thus, we believe in our heart—not with our head—on the Lord Jesus Christ and we are saved (Romans 10:9-10).

The same principle of how we believe holds true with all of the exceedingly great and precious promises made by God to His own. And, this is where we as Christians must examine our individual hearts, because regardless of how much we say that we believe, our actions reflect or reveal the true state of our heart. For instance, if I believe someone has broken into my home and I continue laying on the couch watching television, then my actions are not commensurate to what I have believed; however, if I act on the idea that someone has broken in, then my response, or behavior is what communicates the state of my heart.

And, the reality is, we may not always know the position of our heart until we are presented with an opportunity to believe or trust God. So, Paul tells the believer in advance, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13).

Herein is an admonishment to Christians to be cautious and alert to the insidious nature of “unbelief”. It is a warning for us to learn from Israel as they allowed their feelings to respond to God with an “evil heart”. And, as a result, Psalm 78:33 says, they lived a life of futility and their years were consumed in fear. Thus, we learn from that generation what “unbelief” towards God looks like. We also learn that unbelief is what hindered the people from being healed in Mark 6:5-6. We learn from the disciples that their shock in Jesus multiplying the loaves and fish was because of a hardened heart (Mark 6:52). Together, we learn from the exchange between the father and Jesus, that “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). We learn from these stories and examples of what unbelief and a hardened heart looks and sounds like so that we can examine our own hearts for the sake of change and ready ourselves with a heart to believe God, regardless.

And, I believe that is why we all need the warning because in life we can easily find ourselves responding with realism and skepticism, facts and feelings, reason and rationale, rather than on the character and nature of God alone. For this reason, as Christians, we need the warning lest we unknowingly repeat a cycle of unbelief that questions His love for us and discounts His presence and power in our lives. We need the warning so that we can consider our current ways and repent.

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With repentance we acknowledge the personal struggle in our mind but we also determine a new response to life, from our heart. So, rather than complain like Israel, we offer continual worship, regardless of facts. Rather than second-guess the Father’s love when there is overwhelm, we surrender to God’s leading with demonstrated trust. Rather than doubt His promise(s), we choose thanksgiving and gratitude. Rather than reason ourselves towards a disregard of the written Word, we just do it. We willfully learn from Israel’s failings and mistakes by doing the opposite of how we feel, or reason or intellectually process. We choose to live by faith. That is, we demonstrate confidence and we set an expectation based upon who He is and what He said. In other words, we live everyday like God is alive!

That is the life of faith, and that is the life of a believer: A life that pleases God and is qualified to exhort and encourage others towards the same.
 

Father, I draw near with a true heart to declare, I believe. I believe in You and Your Son, Jesus Christ. And, today, I repent for every place in my life where I have doubted and discounted You; where I have demonstrated an evil heart of unbelief rather than a heart that believes. Give me to know You in greater measure that I may please You. Open my eyes of understanding by Your Spirit that I may see You in Your glory and great power in my life, my family, my community, this nation and the world. You are able to do all things and I declare today, “I choose to believe”. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: July  [Top]
Repent of Spiritual Complacency 

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead”. - Revelations 3:1

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The book of Revelation offers the good news of a triumphant end!  It’s the projection of ultimate victory and the clarion call for every believer to persevere in faith, examine the heart with diligence and to remain watchful.  The tenor and tone of the book leave no stone unturned as it even calls the earnest of believers to address easily ignored stumbling blocks; snags, like that of complacency.

 

Song of Solomon 2:15 says, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom (NIV).”  In other words, when what was prized is soon taken for granted; or, what was valued becomes expendable; when what was idealized is no longer highly regarded; or, when loyalties are treated with indifference or familiarity, it means that we’ve become complacent.  Whether we realize it or not the fox is eating at our vine—our connection with the Father!  And, we’re called to catch the culprit, that soothing voice of self-justification, because complacency is not without consequence.  

 

Whether towards life, or activities or people, complacency is an insidious contentment of self-satisfaction. Which is why complacency towards a personal relationship with God is just as egregious as any other sin—it misses the mark and is a transgression against the One who has given All to reconcile with humanity.  So, it grieves His Spirit when the desire to please Him has been replaced with a greater desire to please self.

 

And, as Christians, we understand that pleasing self is antithetical to the Gospel of Christ—the Gospel, that is, the good news of a Savior who gave of Himself, was obedient to death, who laid down His life, and of whom, we are told as children of God, to imitate.  So, when our priorities are misplaced it can be as simple as making a choice between what is good and what is God, and choosing good.  As simple as deciding between responsibilities verses relationship and choosing responsibilities.  And, it’s not because we don’t have good intentions, but rather, we’ve let our guard down and allowed what feels right to be right; and as a result, we’ve turned our trust, our hope, our focus elsewhere. 

 

Spiritual complacency doesn’t begin with malevolence, but rather, an excuse that has grown into contentment.  It is when we wake up on a random day and realize that we have not read our Bible, have not prayed, and for more days than we’d care to acknowledge, we have scarcely considered His will concerning life itself; but even more, we’ve been content with living at a distance. 

 

Hence, our name alone is alive, but by default we not only trample the Son of God underfoot, but we have begun to count as a common or ordinary thing the blood of the covenant whereby we’ve been sanctified, and we’ve insulted the Spirit of grace, in the process (Hebrews 10:29).  Thus, Revelation 3 calls us to wake up and align our lives with our title—not because it’s convenient or even comfortable, but because we are alive in Christ, made new and living according to His purpose and grace, no longer our own.  We have a new identity as Christians, so we live up to a new call. 

 

That is, we align our purpose with our call as disciples, our call as imitators of Christ, our call as holy, our call to the covenant of a single allegiance—Christ alone.  To love Him above everyone and everything—that is the call. 

 

And if we’re honest, it may not be the first thing on our minds as Christians, so John exhorts each of us to prepare, to make ready for Christ’s return.  Not in a lackluster or familiar way, but in a way that daily demonstrates a careful heed to the things we have heard and known, whereby our knowledge of God informs our response in the world; where our convictions for Christ shape life decisions, and where our confession of hope is the explanation for righteous zeal.  It is our call. 

 

A call that’s hard, but a sacrifice proving, that He’s worth it. 

 

Father, we thank You for Your love that warns us of spiritual complacency.  For, You give wisdom and out of Your mouth comes knowledge and understanding, and so, we humble ourselves before You today, and ask that from this message we would not find condemnation, but with conviction, we would awake from complacency and to a daily commitment to the call—where we truly align our response to life with our complete surrender to You.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

 

- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: June  [Top]
Blessed by Hearing and Obeying 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of His benefits!". - Psalm 103:2 

 

One of the many benefits that Christians have is our access to the living God and our ability to hear from Him as our Father.  It’s an advantage that far too many take for granted, or neglect completely, though He leads and guides; directs and encourages, even warns.  His voice is loud on some occasions, and soft on others, as He reveals and chastens, reminds, and convicts.  He is the good Shepherd who speaks to us in our ear; through Scripture; through dreams; situations and, through people.  He speaks, and we each have an opportunity to respond to what He says.

 

Many years ago, when I did not know that God spoke to His own so intimately, I would often hear believer’s say, in a sundry of ways, “God told me…”  The reality of the immortal and invisible God engaging carnal man was intriguing; but after reading how God initiated a conversation with Abram (Genesis 12) and spoke to Moses, face to face, as a man speaks to a friend (Exodus 33), I wanted the same.  To read how Jesus said the sheep would know His voice (John 10:27), and see how God gave specific direction to Ananias, in Acts 9, and specific information to the prophets, made me yearn for that kind of relationship!  

 

And so, after day and night reading of Scripture, and crying out nightly to hear from Him there came in the early morning or very late-night a call that penetrated my REM.  He spoke.  I heard Him call my name.  And in response, I rose with an alarmed but simple, “Yes!”  His charge loud and clear—“Will you pray?”  And, without delay, I jumped like a soldier at attention, knelt by my bed, and began praying.  It was a simple request and a quick-to-obey response.

 

And, from that time until the present, I have known the blessing of hearing His voice, and the meaning of a healthy relationship with God when there is obedience to His leading.  Even more, the synergy found within the Godhead is why I am convinced that the same blessing is possible for every believer.

 

John 14:49 says, “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak”.   These are the words of Jesus and it is the best example of what a life yielded to the Father looks like.  John 16:13 then tells us that the Spirit of Truth “will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak”.  Again, an example of obedience at the will of the Father.  Inherent in Jesus’s and the Holy Spirit’s hearing and obeying is Their oneness or relationship with the Father.  Thus, life in Christ is the greatest benefit when we, as believers hear and heed the Father’s voice.

 

And, on any given day that excuses replace obedience, no matter how valid those excuses are, I have found that my ability to hear His most coveted voice becomes harder to discern and know.  And yet, I have also found that my obedience to His voice fosters unforgettable benefits—the kind that causes me to confidently say, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul!” 

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Father, I repent for the times when You spoke but I did not listen or prioritize Your will.  Forgive me, Lord.  I believe Your grace is sufficient for my life, so I pray that You would give me ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying, and a heart that is tender to follow Your leading, without my excuses.  May I hear and know Your voice and become deaf to the voice of the stranger and deceiver because I am Yours and You are mine.  Remember now Your covenant with me, Lord and speak for your son/daughter is listening.  In Jesus’ name.   

 

- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: May  [Top]
Coming to God in Sincerity and Truth 

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice". - Ephesians 4:31
 

When time is given to fast and pray for matters relating to our nation, our families and ourselves, it should also be a time of reflection and repentance for sin, specifically for the sin of malice.  Whether we want to admit it or not, Christians do hold grudges; believers can wrestle with feelings of hate, and saints are capable of bitterness—all while lifting hands to worship, and praying with fervency or giving words of encouragement to another.  It’s a farce.  A justified response that keeps malice tucked behind self-righteous acts that ultimately undermine the love of God and fracture unity within the body of Christ. 

 

Malice is an insidious sin that affects unsuspecting God-fearing Christians.  And, in a world driven by political persuasion, societal woe, and challenges in life itself, minor infractions can lead to animus towards those we’re supposed to love.  So, rather than follow Christ’s example of giving self as an offering or extending self as a sacrifice, disappointment takes precedence and bitterness begins to brew.  It’s a reproach that must be acknowledged and turned away from if there is to be sincerity and truth in families, communities, and the church.

 

Christians are not immune to feelings, but in the same way that feelings are “caught,” we’re also told to let some of them drop!  We’re told throughout the New Testament (Matthew 5:22, Romans 1:29, Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 2:1) to lay down feelings of resentment and instead forgive; to resist the works of the flesh; and, to allow the blood of Jesus to clean our conscience before bad feelings fester further and our humility is found false.  

 

When feelings are no longer aligned with His Word, deference to the Lordship of Jesus is the charge!  Thus, we appropriate the name of Jesus, and consciously turn away from ill-will. We resist the whispers of offense by confessing it quickly.  And, we submit to God with contrition, demonstrating confidence in His faithfulness to forgive us and trusting Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Malice can hide, and people around us and closest to us may never know that we are snared by it, but there is a God who does know, and He calls us to repent, to be free from duplicity and to eat the bread of sincerity and truth.  And, when we do, our worship is true and our prayers are effective.

 

- Pastor Qwynn Gross

 

Father, I lay aside all malice, and repent for ways that have distanced me from You, or brought division to the body of Christ, and my family.   Now, I pray Lord, that You would reveal any malice in my heart so that my life is a true reflection of Your love.  I pray for help to always eat the bread of sincerity and truth regardless of my feelings, in Jesus’ name. 

Word of the Month: April  [Top]
Growing Strong in Faith 

Growth is a normal expectation.  We expect children to grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively.  We expect healthy relationships to grow from one degree to another.  We want our money to grow for retirement and vacations.  We not only expect plants to grow, but we also want to grow in various ways and areas of life.  And summarily, most consider it problematic if there is no growth.  And yet spiritually, too often, believers are inattentive to, or unaware of, what it means to grow in faith.  Too many believers receive Christ and presume that faith for salvation alone is enough for an entire life in Christ.

 

In reality, however, “the just shall live by faith”! (Romans 1:17)  As fish live by remaining in water and humanity lives by oxygen, those who belong to the Lord live by faith, not factual information or feelings but with confidence in God’s promises, inclination towards God’s ways, and with actions that reflect the same regardless of circumstance.  Hence, faith is not a fixed entity but a growing, ever-evolving capacity to believe.  And, like any living organism, if it is not growing, it is dying.  This is why growing our faith cannot be a passive endeavor but rather an intentional nurturing of the measure (Romans 12:3) we have each received.  And, while each believer has the same starting point, the process to grow strong in faith is in hearing and responding to what God has said.

 

Scripture points to different levels or measures of faith, saying that without faith you cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6); without works, faith is dead (James 2:14-26); and, those who worry about basic provisions have little faith (Matthew 6:30); while plenty of examples are offered of those with great faith.  And, it is from those examples that we can learn how to grow our own faith.  For instance, Matthew 13:58 says that Jesus could not do many works in a certain city because of their unbelief; however, His response was not to leave them in that state but to teach them. (Mark 6:5-7)  When sea waters roared, the disciples were afraid, (Matthew 8:26) but Jesus didn’t coddle any of them, instead, He called their faith little and challenged their doubt.  Personally, I marvel that Peter got out of the boat to walk on stormy water! (Matthew 14:29-30)  It seems like strong faith to me, yet Jesus asked Peter why he doubted after beginning to sink and called his faith, little. 

 

In converse, Jesus called the faith of the woman who came to Him for her daughter’s healing great! (Matthew 15:28) He seems to credit her confidence and persistence.  The same is true with the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant by speaking a word only. (Luke 7:9) Jesus marveled and commended his great faith.  Likewise, the men who lowered their paralytic friend through a rooftop to gain access to Jesus were said to be strong in faith.  And, we’re told that Abraham never wavered at the promise of God through unbelief—despite obstacles related to age, barrenness, and what many would call long delay, he instead gave glory to God, making him strong in faith too.

 

These are examples to learn from when identifying where we are and how we can begin to grow our own faith.  And, based upon Romans 10:17, “hearing” grows faith!  It reads, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” It’s the beginning of a process based upon v 14, where we who believe first heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in hearing, our faith grew enough to place trust in the unseen, hope in the intangible, and confidence in a promise for eternal life through Jesus Christ alone.  We each heard a message of Truth, and it was in hearing that we set an expectation that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord;” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) that though this “outward man is wasting away, the inward man is being renewed day by day;” (2 Corinthians 4:16) and that there is a second coming for the bride of Christ, where a new heaven and a new earth is to unfold.  We have a living hope because we exercised our faith!  “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10)

 

Thus, our decision to believe God, that is, to live by faith is more than a cerebral decision to hope in tomorrow, but it is also a daily and concerted dedication to the Word of God that spurs action; a response of illogical obedience, wide-eyed expectation, and bold expressions of confidence where we say and do what is written in Scripture even when life contradicts God’s promise or feelings outweigh the conviction of what is written.  The decision to move away from dependence and reliance on a seen world to an unseen is what it means to grow faith, and because the transition from little to strong faith can be challenging, it means that every believer must honestly assess and consciously choose to believe what the world would call unbelievable and our flesh could consider as impractical.

 

All of the promises of God are received by faith!  Therefore, we must hear the Word of God, and like the mother whose daughter was healed, or the friends of the paralytic man, we too must ignore barriers and replace head doubt with a continual boast in Jesus’ ability to do all things!  After all, that is child-like faith, to believe from the heart, credulous to any promise made, and impetuous along the way; thus, we follow directions and speak to mountains and trees (those difficult situations and disparaging issues), showcasing “mustard seed” faith, just as Jesus taught!  We live as if God is alive and so imitate Abraham who gave glory to God despite appearances.  We get out of the boat like Peter, keeping our eyes off of boisterous winds, a metaphor for problems, lest we too begin to sink.  Hence, we grow strong in faith by staying focused on the promise and the promise-Keeper!

 

It’s called being steadfast, when we have not lost expectation from what is written.  It’s called being faithful, when we adhere to God’s Word, avoiding opportunities to complain and instead offering sacrifices of joy (Psalm 27:6), righteousness (Psalm 4:5), and worship akin to Abraham.  It’s called being assured when we profess boldly the word of life, resisting temptations to doubt or second-guess Truth.  It’s called being strong when we fight the good fight of faith, giving precedence to His Word even when trials make faint.  From faith to faith, we are strengthened by holding fast to our confession of hope without wavering because He who promised is faithful.  From faith to faith, we please our Father as doers of His Word, true followers of Christ, and citizens of a different but greater kingdom.  From faith to faith, the righteousness of God is revealed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ which makes all things possible when we truly believe!

 

Thus, as Christians, we must grow strong and be stronger still in faith.

 

- Pastor Qwynn Gross

Word of the Month: March  [Top]
A Devotional on Endurance

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved”. - Matthew 24:12-13

 

As a youngster, I can think of plenty of extracurricular activities that I began with curiosity and zeal or out of a parental charge to participate, and for one reason or another, I soon opted to stop–from piano lessons to Girl Scouts to running track to being a debutante, and many other activities–however, when my firstborn was placed in my arms there was a conscious decision to continue regardless.  This unwavering commitment to the children I bore would only be eclipsed by my commitment to live for God simply because I found out that He is alive.  Now, with adult children and a life in Christ that spans close to forty years, I can attest that my endurance has not been easy, nor has it been without opportunities to quit, but rather because value and worth were assigned.

 

Assigning importance and meaning or significance to something or someone is not strange.  It’s done all the time however for Christians, the commitment to cherish and esteem Jesus means to safeguard why we value Him even during the ecological, economic, and ecumenical tumult that Jesus warns will not only intensify but as a result, cause the strongest of believers to defect because of pervasive lawlessness.  His discourse reveals how fickle the best of humanity can be and thereby serves as a credible warning that there will be tribulation in this life that will make believers want to quit; there will be enough hardship for doubt to be a real temptation, and enough pressure to fracture the strongest of resolves.

 

And yet, salvation cannot withstand apostasy.  There is no reward for those who start but do not finish, those who believe Him and then spurn Him, who accept Him but then reject Him, or for those who faint in what it means to live, honor, and serve Him.  Jesus says, he who puts his hands to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom (Luke 9:62); it’s better to never have known the way of righteousness than to know and turn back (2 Peter 2:20); Revelation 2:4-5 calls for repentance if love for God is abandoned.  These are the kinds of Scriptures that we need to meditate on lest we presume ourselves immune to the possibility.  They are also the motivation needed to buttress hearts lest they become apathetic, astray, or as the passage sights, “cold.”

 

The daily requisite and motivation then is to increase the value given to Christ, which I believe begins with a constant reminder of what He has done.  Jesus was clear that he who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:36-50) which means appreciation is heightened when the price for sin and the debt Jesus paid is grasped.  The ability to give worth to Christ is found in understanding that without His sacrifice, guilt and condemnation are assured and absolute.  And John 15 says that we can do nothing apart from Him.  Thus, steadfastness happens as we memorialize His benefits.  And, when wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and sorrows abound, and when voices vary, who He is and what He has done will be the bedrock that stabilizes and anchors the soul so that love can abound.

 

The songwriter penned, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…” Its lyrics are a beautiful statement of faith that reinforces the premise of Christianity and the acute need to trust the promises of God.  Thus, it is also the kind of song that confronts inner conflicts, stirs conviction, and points every believer back to the hope that does not disappoint those who choose to endure.

 

- Pastor Qwynn Gross

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