God's Love Begins At Home (by Margaret C. Duran)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14)

The Apostles Paul and Timothy were speaking to the brothers in Christ in Colosse. But, as I was reading that chapter, my thoughts were centered around the family. What a different world it would be if we would practice these virtues within our own homes. As our lives were changed by this love from our family members, it would overflow to how we treated others whom we came in contact with outside our homes, creating a viral affect throughout the world. Imagine that!

You know, that is the example Jesus left with us. But few practice this congeniality - just plain common courtesy. You may say, "Well, I want to relax and be myself at home." But home is where it all starts. Unless we show true love to our family, they may never feel the wonderful joy of the virtues of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience. These are the ingredients of real love ... real Christian love. The very best place to show it is with our family, then it will go out into the world as a light in the darkness.

Is your lamp under a bushel basket? Let the goodness of God shine through you as you go about your daily life. It will be seen and felt by others.

To God be all glory!

Against The Crowd (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

This week we continue to reflect on Numbers 13 and 14.

Joshua and Caleb had just returned from Canaan and couldn't believe what they were hearing from the other ten fearful, doubting, and disobedient spies.

These men incited the crowd and blindsided them to believe that the giants and fortified cities were too great for God to conquer.

Even though they had evidence of the bounty of the land and God's promise to succeed, the people chose to believe a lie and basically said, "This conquest God has planned ain't gonna happen."

Thank God for Joshua and Caleb who stood against the unbelieving crowd and confidently declared that God was able to perform what he had promised.

Today, we also who believe can stand against the crowd of doubters and declare that God is able! Someone has said, "Any dead fish can float downstream - it takes a live one to swim upstream."

NOW GO LIVE IT!

New Church Website (by Carolyn Marshall)

On March 13 of this year, I added two new contributors to His Healing Word blog, Pastor Mark Parsons and Associate Pastor Linda Pugsley. Today, it is with great excitement that we announce the publishing of our new website for Great Hope Christian Fellowship Church! We hope that the Sermons, Articles, Spiritual Snacks and “Holy Purple Cow!” will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord and enter into an abundant life in Him. Dive in, take a peek, and check it out at http://www.myghcf.com/.

Pastor Mark and Associate Pastor Linda will continue to contribute here on His Healing Word, too. We are looking forward to this new journey the Lord has set our feet upon. What a blessing it is to share His truths by stepping beyond the boundaries of our local church and community and into the world through this wonderful "over-the-fence" ministry.