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Month: October 2023

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There Is No Substitute for Obedience

There Is No Substitute for Obedience

October 29, 2023 by NCC-Admin-1 in

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

Romans 5: 19 KJV

There is no substitute for obedience.  The Apostle Paul reminds us that it was because of the disobedience of one man, Adam,  that sin entered into the world.   Our world has been broken and corrupted by sin ever since.  We can see the impact of sin  all around us every day. Homes, marriages and individual lives are marred by the influence of sin. 
Institutions are impacted by sin as well because they are managed by sinful people.   The message is clear, disobedience has serious consequences. 

But just as disobedience has consequences, so does obedience.  The good news of the Gospel is that One Man, Jesus, totally and completely obeyed the will of the Heavenly Father in every way.   As a result, all who are redeemed by His Precious Blood are the recipients and beneficiaries of His obedience. 

Obedience is not always easy.  It  is easier in some situations than others.  But in all situations it requires us submitting our fleshly desires to the cross and simply doing what the Lord would have us to do.  God always makes it clear to us what we need to do.  Just as He made His wishes known to Adam, He makes His wishes known to us.  He does not leave us in the dark. He has given us clear instructions  through His Word and by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  And the Lord always helps us to obey if we will  yield to Him! 

It was not easy for Jesus to obey.  The torture of the cross was not easy.  The very idea of being separated from His Heavenly Father when our sin was placed upon Him was not easy  (Matthew 27:46).   But Jesus understood the importance of obedience.  There could be no substitute.  The entire fate of the human race hung in the balance.  Would He choose the Father’s will or His own? (Luke 22: 40-44). 

Thankfully, Jesus chose the path of obedience.  And all of us who are redeemed have received the blessing and the benefit of that obedience.  So the next time you are tempted not to obey the Lord,  just remember that your obedience can have an impact that is far greater than you can imagine.  The obedience of Jesus was not just about Himself.  It was about all of us!  To Him, pleasing the Father was more important than pleasing Himself.  I shudder to  think of where we would be if He had not obeyed the Father! 

James W. Black

Living Peaceably

Living Peaceably

October 22, 2023 by NCC-Admin-1 in

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Rom. 12:18 KJV

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  (Rom. 12:18 KJV).

One of the great promises of Jesus is the promise of peace.  In John 14:27 Jesus promised to give all those who follow Him, His peace!   In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called The Prince of Peace.  Peace is one of the blessings and benefits of living in the Kingdom of God (Rom. 14:17).  And, as God’s people, we  are called to follow after those things that bring about peace (Rom. 14:19). 

The peace that the Lord promises begins with having peace with God (Rom. 5:1).  Until we have been reconciled to God through the shed Blood of Jesus, and our sin forgiven , it is impossible to have this peace.  But once His peace is received, it lays the foundation for living and walking in peace.  This peace is beyond our human understanding  (Phil. 4:7) because it comes from God Himself!   Once we are at peace with God, we can be at peace with ourselves.  And because we are at peace with ourselves, we can be at peace with others.   We than are called  to do everything that we can to live in peace with others, because that is a reflection of the life of Christ within us.  In fact, it is only the Gospel of Christ that commands us to “love our enemies” (Matth. 5:44).   This peace is real, powerful and profound!  There is nothing anywhere that compares to it. 

But sadly, we live in a fallen world.  Sin still resides in the human heart.  And even though we desire to be at peace with others, there are those who refuse to be at peace with us.  And, as we have seen recently with the war in Israel, there are those who do not want peace no matter what is done.   That is why  the scripture tells us to live in peace as much as it is possible.    Regrettably, there are times when it is no longer possible.  Then  we must do everything that we can to protect our loved ones from those who would seek to destroy them.  There comes a time when we must fight.  We must do everything that we can to live peaceably.    But when that is no longer possible there is a time for war (Ecc. 3:8).   Because  this world will never  be at peace until Jesus Comes! 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

James W. Black

 The Importance of What We Wear

 The Importance of What We Wear

October 14, 2023 by James Black in

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…”

Isaiah 61:10 KJV

Throughout the year clothing manufacturers send out catalogues and other forms of advertising informing us of the latest fashions.  People eagerly watch the Hollywood elite at their award ceremonies to see what styles their favorite movie stars are wearing.  But did you know that the Holy One is also concerned about fashion? 

His greatest desire is that we might be “clothed” with the garments of salvation and to wear “the robe of righteousness.”  Of all the things we might wear, those are the most important. 

We are also instructed in the Word of God (Colossians 3: 1-17) that as followers of Christ we are to “put off” some things and to “put on” some things.  In Col. 3:8-9 we are instructed to “put off” anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy talk and lying.  In Col. 3: 12-14 we are instructed to “put on” tender mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.  Being followers of Christ, therefore,  requires us to change what we wear.  And the amazing thing  is that Christ has already provided us with everything that we need (2 Peter 1:3). 

The good news is that unlike the world’s fashion, the believer’s fashion has already been paid for in Christ (Col. 3:10-11).  The fashion that Christ provides for us is always free.  It always looks good on us.  It is always a perfect fit.  It never wears out.  And it never goes out of style!  And when unbelievers actually get a good look at it, it makes them envious! 

So, as followers of Christ, let us be sure that we are wearing the right wardrobe because someone is always looking at what we wear!  And let us be so submitted to Christ,  that our garments are always a reflection of Him! 

By Rev. James Black

Keeping the Right Perspective

Keeping the Right Perspective

October 7, 2023 by NCC-Admin-1 in

“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there is more with us than with them.  With him is an army of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles…”

2 Chronicles 32: 7-8 KJV

The nation of Judah was facing an impossible situation. The mighty Assyrian army was marching against them. The odds against them were enormous. Thus far, every nation in the path of the Assyrians had fallen. What could the tiny nation of Judah possibly do? Fortunately, at this time, Judah had a good king who knew exactly what to do. Instead of focusing on the Assyrians,  the king, focused upon God! And he encouraged his people to do the same. 

Hezekiah did not deny the reality of the situation.  In the natural, the situation was dire! But his faith and confidence were not in his ability nor the ability of his people.  His faith and confidence was in the Living God! The God who had created Israel and made a covenant with them would be their shield and their protection (Deut. 28: 7). Therefore, because Hezekiah knew the Lord and sought to serve and follow the Lord, he saw things from God’s perspective. He knew that they could trust the Lord to work on their behalf. He knew that the God they served was greater than all the powers arrayed against them. And because Hezekiah kept the right perspective and sought the face of the Lord, the Lord did fight on their behalf and their enemies were destroyed (2 Kings 19: 32-37 & 2 Chron. 32: 20-22). 

Everyone faces difficult things in life from time to time. It is the result of living in a fallen, sin-cursed, and broken world. But the good news is that in all situations, because of Jesus, we have hope!   Our confidence is in the Only One who has conquered death, hell, and the grave (Rev. 1:18).  When we put our trust in the Lord and rivet our attention upon Him, we can then see things from God’s perspective. We can then remember that our life is in His hands.  Our present is in His hands.  Our future is in His hands. He is for us (Rom 8:31). He is with us (Matt 28:20). He will guide us (John 16:13). He will watch over us. And He will take care of us (1 Pet. 5:6-7). No matter what comes our way! He is the Great I Am (Ex. 3:14, John 8:58). And He is greater than anything that the powers of darkness can ever bring against us (1 John 4:4). 

Rev. James W. Black