Good afternoon, Aspen Grove Church Family,
I pray that you are well. Already rolling into the Christmas season fast. This year has really flown by. Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Holiday. On November 2, we preached a message titled, “The 3 Portraits of Life, “ from the Book of 1 Samuel 25:1-25; 32-38. The World is full of foolish people. They chose to live in the flesh, seeking pleasures that never last. They seek riches of this world only to find unhappiness. They keep trying the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome. History is supposed to be a great teacher, and it is, if we would only use it. The first Portrait we looked at was…The Portrait of God—David (vs.1-13). David sends word to Nabal to please help his men for all they have done for him, but Nabal rejected the plea. David displayed wrath from the disrespect and was going to punish Nabel hard. Which brought us to our second portrait: The Portrait of Jesus—Abigail (vs. 14-20). Abigail, Nabal’s wife, receives word of David’s men visiting and the messages that were relayed between Nabal and them. She immediately responded to the request and interceded on behalf of her husband. She informed David of the foolishness of her husband and she sought out the King for Mercy and Grace for Nabal. Sounds like what Jesus does for us daily, doesn’t it? Which leaves us with our third portrait: The Portait of Humanity—Nabal (vs. 10-11, 36-38). Nabal knowing all the things that David has done and still rejected David’s request. He knew that it is only right to give back yet refuses. We have the Bible and the Law of God that is written on hearts and yet, with all the knowledge that we have and the proof thereof… do we not still reject Jesus Christ? Arrogance was the downfall of Nabal, and it will be the downfall of us as well, unless we all learn to embrace the sacrifice that was made for us by Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the beautiful truth that Jesus intercedes for us, we come to realize how blessed we truly are. His love and commitment to us encourage us daily, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. With Jesus advocating on our behalf at the Father’s right hand, we have the assurance that our needs are heard, and our burdens are lifted. What Potrait are you displaying?
On November 9th, this week we preached a message titled, “The Echo of Greater Love,” from the Books of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Matthew 20:28. We celebrated Aspen Grove’s Harvest Day by honoring our Veterans. Veteran’s Day… s a time to honor all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in wartime or peacetime. Their Service, Sacrifice, and Gratitude naturally connect the veterans' experience with principles of faith. It’s not just a day off, but a very special day of national thanks. The main difference to distinguish Veterans Day from Memorial Day is simply this: Memorial Day: Honors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. While Veterans Day: Honors all veterans, living or deceased, especially giving thanks to the living for their honorable service. The Biblical Echo of Service: Jesus set the ultimate example. He didn't come here as a king demanding to be waited on; He came as a servant. His whole life was about doing for others. Veterans remind us that true leadership and love are rooted in this action, in serving. Our second point isThe Biblical Echo of Sacrifice. Every service member asks themselves a simple question: Why am I doing this? The short answer is to serve, but what does it mean to serve? Simply serving your country might have been sufficient, but I think Jesus pretty much nails it: John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This verse is the heart of both military courage and Christ's ultimate act. We owe our men and women debt of Gratitude which reminds of our last point: The Biblical Call to Thanks. Gratitude is always God's will. Today, our gratitude is directed outward, toward our veterans, and upward, toward God for the peace we enjoy. After all, The Bible states: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Veterans Day, observed every year on November 11th, is a federal holiday that serves as the nation's opportunity to formally say "Thank You" to every single person who has worn the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces. For a citizen, Veterans Day isn't just a day off; it's a call to action. It forces us to ask: "What am I doing to be worthy of the freedom they protected?"
On November 16, we preached message titled, “On the Struggle bus this Season of Thanksgiving,” coming from the Book of Luke 17:11-19. In Jesus’ day lepers were quarantined in colonies, some distance from cities and towns because their dreaded disease was so contagious, so that’s why the group of ten stood some distance away as Jesus and the others entered the village. Jesus’ seemingly strange command for the ten to show themselves to the priest was part of the normal process, as prescribed in the Law of Moses. It is almost inconceivable that anyone could be cured from a terrible and frightening disease such as leprosy, which isolated a man or woman from family and friends and cut him or her off from normal events in society and the synagogue, and not be abundantly and permanently grateful… But that is exactly what happened with nine out of the ten lepers Jesus healed. Furthermore, the thankful one was a Samaritan, which meant he was from the half-breed ethnic group that was the product of Jewish intermarriage with the Canaanites and Assyrians. Makes me wonder… what about us today? Would we be like the 9 and just be satisfied with our healing? Or would we be like the one who dedicated his life to Christ? To dive into that question, we must address our faith. If we can’t honestly say we would dedicate our lives to Christ, then the II. First thing is “Perhaps You’ve Forgotten that You’re Saved.” Ingratitude is expected from those who have no saving relationship to Jesus Christ, and perhaps that is why the other nine lepers who were healed did not return to give thanks to Jesus. The person who is not saved spurns the very notion of grace, the undeserved goodness granted by God... and that is why the nine lepers did not return to thank Jesus. The Second Reason is Perhaps You have Doubts about GOD. Clearly, the healed leper recognized that Jesus was the one who had sovereignly healed and saved him. The other nine presumably did not properly connect their healing to Jesus’ sovereign power because they did not return to thank Jesus. Sometimes though we struggle with our faith and Maybe You’re focused On the Wrong Issue. The nine lepers who were healed thought only of themselves, selfishly. Selfishness is that attitude that says, “No matter what I’ve got, I don’t have what I really want, I don’t have enough. I want more. I want my circumstances different. I want my children different. I want my life different. I want my ministry different. I want my spouse different. I want my job different. I want a lot of things different. I want more of this and less of that.” God is perfect and he never makes a mistake. God’s goodness and mercy is always available and is overflowing and abounding toward us. The gift of Jesus Christ is that unspeakable gift for which we are thankful. All good gifts that flow down from the Father of lights, victory over sin and death, divine guidance, complete provision for all our needs, the hope of heaven, the power of the Word and on and on we go. We have lots of reasons to give thanks. The leper was miraculously healed by Jesus. He rightly went back to Jesus and thanked him for his grace. That is the right attitude to have. This Thanksgiving let us not be guilty of ingratitude.
Finally, on November 23, we preached a message titled, “The JOY of Thanksgiving: Finding Peace,” from the Book of 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think about food… lots of food: Turkey, ham, yams, green beans, turkey dressing, collards, etc.… When I think of turkey, the scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation comes to mind. Specifically, how , Clark’s wife’s cousin Catherine, over cooked the turkey. Just as Clark was beginning to carve the bird, it split open, dry to the bone. The scene is a classic comedic moment from the movie that in reality… portrays how most families in America really are: from the outside, it looks perfect, but it’s a total disaster area on the inside. They go on and give thanks and I think I know why. First, I think: Gratitude begins with recognizing God’s blessings. When we recognize God’s blessings, we acknowledge His sovereignty and deepen our relationship with Him. Church, gratitude isn’t just about saying thanks; it’s about recognizing the Giver of every good gift. Next, I think Gratitude brings joy and peace that surpasses our understanding. True joy comes when we choose to give thanks, no matter what the situation may say. Gratitude aligns our hearts with God’s will and ushers in peace. Church, have you ever wondered how to find joy, even in the hardest times? It’s in Thanksgiving, true Thanksgiving. When we practice thanksgiving, we stop focusing on the storm and start focusing on the One who calms it. By practicing what we preach we will find that we will have A heart of gratitude remains steadfast through all seasons of life.Good afternoon, Aspen Grove Church Family,
I pray that you are well. Already rolling into the Christmas season fast. This year has really flown by. Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Holiday. On November 2, we preached a message titled, “The 3 Portraits of Life, “ from the Book of 1 Samuel 25:1-25; 32-38. The World is full of foolish people. They chose to live in the flesh, seeking pleasures that never last. They seek riches of this world only to find unhappiness. They keep trying the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome. History is supposed to be a great teacher, and it is, if we would only use it. The first Portrait we looked at was…The Portrait of God—David (vs.1-13). David sends word to Nabal to please help his men for all they have done for him, but Nabal rejected the plea. David displayed wrath from the disrespect and was going to punish Nabel hard. Which brought us to our second portrait: The Portrait of Jesus—Abigail (vs. 14-20). Abigail, Nabal’s wife, receives word of David’s men visiting and the messages that were relayed between Nabal and them. She immediately responded to the request and interceded on behalf of her husband. She informed David of the foolishness of her husband and she sought out the King for Mercy and Grace for Nabal. Sounds like what Jesus does for us daily, doesn’t it? Which leaves us with our third portrait: The Portait of Humanity—Nabal (vs. 10-11, 36-38). Nabal knowing all the things that David has done and still rejected David’s request. He knew that it is only right to give back yet refuses. We have the Bible and the Law of God that is written on hearts and yet, with all the knowledge that we have and the proof thereof… do we not still reject Jesus Christ? Arrogance was the downfall of Nabal, and it will be the downfall of us as well, unless we all learn to embrace the sacrifice that was made for us by Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the beautiful truth that Jesus intercedes for us, we come to realize how blessed we truly are. His love and commitment to us encourage us daily, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. With Jesus advocating on our behalf at the Father’s right hand, we have the assurance that our needs are heard, and our burdens are lifted. What Potrait are you displaying?
On November 9th, this week we preached a message titled, “The Echo of Greater Love,” from the Books of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Matthew 20:28. We celebrated Aspen Grove’s Harvest Day by honoring our Veterans. Veteran’s Day… s a time to honor all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in wartime or peacetime. Their Service, Sacrifice, and Gratitude naturally connect the veterans' experience with principles of faith. It’s not just a day off, but a very special day of national thanks. The main difference to distinguish Veterans Day from Memorial Day is simply this: Memorial Day: Honors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. While Veterans Day: Honors all veterans, living or deceased, especially giving thanks to the living for their honorable service. The Biblical Echo of Service: Jesus set the ultimate example. He didn't come here as a king demanding to be waited on; He came as a servant. His whole life was about doing for others. Veterans remind us that true leadership and love are rooted in this action, in serving. Our second point isThe Biblical Echo of Sacrifice. Every service member asks themselves a simple question: Why am I doing this? The short answer is to serve, but what does it mean to serve? Simply serving your country might have been sufficient, but I think Jesus pretty much nails it: John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This verse is the heart of both military courage and Christ's ultimate act. We owe our men and women debt of Gratitude which reminds of our last point: The Biblical Call to Thanks. Gratitude is always God's will. Today, our gratitude is directed outward, toward our veterans, and upward, toward God for the peace we enjoy. After all, The Bible states: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Veterans Day, observed every year on November 11th, is a federal holiday that serves as the nation's opportunity to formally say "Thank You" to every single person who has worn the uniform of the U.S. Armed Forces. For a citizen, Veterans Day isn't just a day off; it's a call to action. It forces us to ask: "What am I doing to be worthy of the freedom they protected?"
On November 16, we preached message titled, “On the Struggle bus this Season of Thanksgiving,” coming from the Book of Luke 17:11-19. In Jesus’ day lepers were quarantined in colonies, some distance from cities and towns because their dreaded disease was so contagious, so that’s why the group of ten stood some distance away as Jesus and the others entered the village. Jesus’ seemingly strange command for the ten to show themselves to the priest was part of the normal process, as prescribed in the Law of Moses. It is almost inconceivable that anyone could be cured from a terrible and frightening disease such as leprosy, which isolated a man or woman from family and friends and cut him or her off from normal events in society and the synagogue, and not be abundantly and permanently grateful… But that is exactly what happened with nine out of the ten lepers Jesus healed. Furthermore, the thankful one was a Samaritan, which meant he was from the half-breed ethnic group that was the product of Jewish intermarriage with the Canaanites and Assyrians. Makes me wonder… what about us today? Would we be like the 9 and just be satisfied with our healing? Or would we be like the one who dedicated his life to Christ? To dive into that question, we must address our faith. If we can’t honestly say we would dedicate our lives to Christ, then the II. First thing is “Perhaps You’ve Forgotten that You’re Saved.” Ingratitude is expected from those who have no saving relationship to Jesus Christ, and perhaps that is why the other nine lepers who were healed did not return to give thanks to Jesus. The person who is not saved spurns the very notion of grace, the undeserved goodness granted by God... and that is why the nine lepers did not return to thank Jesus. The Second Reason is Perhaps You have Doubts about GOD. Clearly, the healed leper recognized that Jesus was the one who had sovereignly healed and saved him. The other nine presumably did not properly connect their healing to Jesus’ sovereign power because they did not return to thank Jesus. Sometimes though we struggle with our faith and Maybe You’re focused On the Wrong Issue. The nine lepers who were healed thought only of themselves, selfishly. Selfishness is that attitude that says, “No matter what I’ve got, I don’t have what I really want, I don’t have enough. I want more. I want my circumstances different. I want my children different. I want my life different. I want my ministry different. I want my spouse different. I want my job different. I want a lot of things different. I want more of this and less of that.” God is perfect and he never makes a mistake. God’s goodness and mercy is always available and is overflowing and abounding toward us. The gift of Jesus Christ is that unspeakable gift for which we are thankful. All good gifts that flow down from the Father of lights, victory over sin and death, divine guidance, complete provision for all our needs, the hope of heaven, the power of the Word and on and on we go. We have lots of reasons to give thanks. The leper was miraculously healed by Jesus. He rightly went back to Jesus and thanked him for his grace. That is the right attitude to have. This Thanksgiving let us not be guilty of ingratitude.
Finally, on November 23, we preached a message titled, “The JOY of Thanksgiving: Finding Peace,” from the Book of 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18. When I think of Thanksgiving, I think about food… lots of food: Turkey, ham, yams, green beans, turkey dressing, collards, etc.… When I think of turkey, the scene from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation comes to mind. Specifically, how , Clark’s wife’s cousin Catherine, over cooked the turkey. Just as Clark was beginning to carve the bird, it split open, dry to the bone. The scene is a classic comedic moment from the movie that in reality… portrays how most families in America really are: from the outside, it looks perfect, but it’s a total disaster area on the inside. They go on and give thanks and I think I know why. First, I think: Gratitude begins with recognizing God’s blessings. When we recognize God’s blessings, we acknowledge His sovereignty and deepen our relationship with Him. Church, gratitude isn’t just about saying thanks; it’s about recognizing the Giver of every good gift. Next, I think Gratitude brings joy and peace that surpasses our understanding. True joy comes when we choose to give thanks, no matter what the situation may say. Gratitude aligns our hearts with God’s will and ushers in peace. Church, have you ever wondered how to find joy, even in the hardest times? It’s in Thanksgiving, true Thanksgiving. When we practice thanksgiving, we stop focusing on the storm and start focusing on the One who calms it. By practicing what we preach we will find that we will have A heart of gratitude remains steadfast through all seasons of life. Gratitude isn’t seasonal; it’s a lifestyle. No matter what season we are in, we are called to give thanks. There are times when life feels easy, when everything seems to be going our way. And in those seasons, it’s easy to give thanks. But when the hard times come—when we face loss, illness, or uncertainty, thanksgiving can feel like a challenge. But it’s in these hard seasons that gratitude becomes even more powerful. When everything around us is falling apart, thanksgiving is the anchor that holds us steady. It reminds us that even in hardship, God is with us. In every season of life that we face, there is something to be grateful and thankful for. A thankful heart is one that trusts God in all things. It sees beyond the circumstances and focuses on the goodness of God. So, let’s not wait for the right season to give thanks. Let’s make thanksgiving a part of every season of our lives.
November 30 was fifth Sunday, so Sister Judy Moore taught a lesson titled, Hope Floats,” from the Book of Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12. She pointed out that Ezekiel had a vision from GOD about the impact of a river that flows from the Temple. It starts off as a small stream but gradually grows deeper and wider. If we think about it, isn’t that how GOD works within us? His Grace flows from the moment of our salvation to every aspect of our lives, transforming and building us into His image. It starts from our first knowledge of GOD is the building block of our Faith. We learn and grow more in our Faith by reading His word and growing our understanding. As we grow grow we produce fruit… like the river. As the river flows down, it waters and helps life grow. As life grows, it produces fruit in many forms. Just as the river grows, when we grow in Christ, we gain an understanding and direction which equips us to share GOD’s word with others. The river is constantly moving and is always bringing fresh water into our lives. Just as growing our faith renews our spiritual lives! GOD’s grace and love is always there for us, and as further proof, at the end of the service a stranger came in and handed Mrs. Judy an envelope with money in it. All the person said was that GOD told him to share it with our church! GOD is at work. Are we paying attention? Friends, GOD is not done with world, nor is He done with you! May the LORD continue to Bless you and keep you, May His face shine upon and bring you peace! Have a great Christmas season!
With Love,
Pastor Sonny
Gratitude isn’t seasonal; it’s a lifestyle. No matter what season we are in, we are called to give thanks. There are times when life feels easy, when everything seems to be going our way. And in those seasons, it’s easy to give thanks. But when the hard times come—when we face loss, illness, or uncertainty, thanksgiving can feel like a challenge. But it’s in these hard seasons that gratitude becomes even more powerful. When everything around us is falling apart, thanksgiving is the anchor that holds us steady. It reminds us that even in hardship, God is with us. In every season of life that we face, there is something to be grateful and thankful for. A thankful heart is one that trusts God in all things. It sees beyond the circumstances and focuses on the goodness of God. So, let’s not wait for the right season to give thanks. Let’s make thanksgiving a part of every season of our lives.
November 30 was fifth Sunday, so Sister Judy Moore taught a lesson titled, Hope Floats,” from the Book of Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12. She pointed out that Ezekiel had a vision from GOD about the impact of a river that flows from the Temple. It starts off as a small stream but gradually grows deeper and wider. If we think about it, isn’t that how GOD works within us? His Grace flows from the moment of our salvation to every aspect of our lives, transforming and building us into His image. It starts from our first knowledge of GOD is the building block of our Faith. We learn and grow more in our Faith by reading His word and growing our understanding. As we grow grow we produce fruit… like the river. As the river flows down, it waters and helps life grow. As life grows, it produces fruit in many forms. Just as the river grows, when we grow in Christ, we gain an understanding and direction which equips us to share GOD’s word with others. The river is constantly moving and is always bringing fresh water into our lives. Just as growing our faith renews our spiritual lives! GOD’s grace and love is always there for us, and as further proof, at the end of the service a stranger came in and handed Mrs. Judy an envelope with money in it. All the person said was that GOD told him to share it with our church! GOD is at work. Are we paying attention? Friends, GOD is not done with world, nor is He done with you! May the LORD continue to Bless you and keep you, May His face shine upon and bring you peace! Have a great Christmas season!
With Love,
Pastor Sonny
