Blog - Heritage Christian Church

Reset Button

Posted on Dec 28, 2016 in Devotions | 0

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”

(2 Corinthians 5:17).

Have you ever wished for a “do over”? Maybe you were playing your favorite video game and things weren’t going right. Did you ever press the “reset’ button, to have another try? Or maybe you are on your computer and everything freezes up, and progress stops. The only way to fix it was to press “reset”. In real life those chances seldom come. Too often our mistakes are permanent and our failures plague us forever. Missed opportunities rarely come around the second time. Don’t you wish there was a “reset” button in life? To be able to back to the beginning and give that level, that problem in life a second try? If only there was a “reset” button for an opportunity to do some things over in our past.

The good news is that Jesus came with a promise to provide a reset button to life! He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). No, you cannot go back in time and undo your mistakes, it’s not as easy as getting the DeLorean up to 88 mph (Back to the Future reference), but you can come to the one who spans all of time and find forgiveness through the sacrifice of Calvary and the shed blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

With the forgiveness of our God, we can press the reset button, and start again as a new Christian.

“Come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). The privilege of repentance allows us to experience a new start in life, the forgiveness of past transgressions, and the opportunity to begin anew. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This is a spiritual “reset button.” We can have a reboot from our old sinful lives when we turn to God and forsake the sins of our past. Repentance is the “reset button”. “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

At the beginning of a new year, or anytime, we think of new beginning, a resolution to start new, and repentance is a great place to start. There is a freshness of new life that comes through the experience of a “reset”. When we have repented and are buried with Christ in baptism (in the name of Jesus) we have a promise of new life. Paul said,

“We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Begin the new year, new month, or anytime with a

restart. Hit the reset button through repentance and receive the joy of forgiveness and experience new life!

Filled With Grief

Posted on Dec 27, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0

I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long I walk around filled with grief. (NLT) ( Psalm 38:6 )

David was filled with grief and so too are we vulnerable to depression. It’s a difficult mindset to escape once you allow those inward thoughts to take hold. Take heart and realize this…God has a plan for your happiness. Your happiness will be sustained not by circumstances, but by His enduring love for you. Once you realize the depth of His love, your inwardly thoughts will turn outwardly towards loving others.

Be Renewed

Posted on Dec 26, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0

put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (NLT) ( Colossians 3:10 )

We are forgiven of our sins and because of this we are free from our old ways. We no longer need to be chained to guilt or behave immorally. Instead, allow yourself to be renewed and refreshed. Learn the heart of God by reading the Bible today and putting into action the teachings of Christ. It is with Him you will find freedom.

The Little Drummer Boy

Posted on Dec 25, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0

First off, we would like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas from our HCC family to yours. With that said, let me get my favorite Christmas Carol stuck in your head today, “The Little Drummer Boy”. The Little Drummer Boy” is a popular Christmas song written in 1941. It was originally known as “Carol of the Drum” and is based on a traditional Czech carol. Although there isn’t any reference to a drummer boy in the Christmas story in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2, the point of the carol goes straight to the heart of the meaning of worship. The carol describes how a boy is summoned by the Magi to the scene of Christ’s birth. Unlike the wise men, however, the drummer has no gift—so he gives what he has. He plays his drum, saying, “I played my best for Him.”

All the drummer boy had was his drum, but the God he worshiped was worthy of his all. He is worthy of our all as well, having given His all for us.

Jesus First This Christmas

Posted on Dec 24, 2016 in Devotions | 0

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

In today’s world that seems to crowd out Jesus, that seems to be constantly busy, and hearts focus on other thing, it can be hard to choose to keep him first. It can be easy to keep caught up in the rush of the holidays, and to give our attention to what we think is urgent. Our focus becomes lost: and the most important gets placed on the back burner. It takes an active and daily choice to put Him first, especially in a world that says you’re to busy to focus on anything. Or that life is too full. And there is no room for God.

May God help us to choose wisely, what voices we listen to, and where we give our attention today. He is the One true meaning to Christmas. He is the One who brings real peace in this hectic season. He is the only One worthy of our time and attention as we slow down the crazy rush around our lives. We can know all of this in our heads, but may He help us to really believe it in our hearts… and choose to live it out this season.

Renewed. Refreshed. Make room for Him, first.

Do Not Be Afraid

Posted on Dec 23, 2016 in Devotions | 0

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy the will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10

Just like these in the Christmas story so many years ago, we’re often people who can easily become fearful, troubled, even gripped with fear. It’s a natural human emotion, but God never intends for us to stay stuck there. And His powerful words and message to us is still the same, for He never changes. He says, “Do not fear,” over and over in His Word, reminding us that He is with us. And He made sure it was part of the message given to each of those to whom an angel appeared to announce His Son’s birth.

The Gateway

Posted on Dec 22, 2016 in Devotions | 0

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (NLT) ( Matthew 7:14 )

Eternal life is considered to be narrow because there is only one way, through believing in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, as the Bible says, only a few will find it. The road is difficult because it may mean we lay down our pride, take the high road, and serve others with love. But, oh how blessed we are that there is a road!

Kind Of Sorrow

Posted on Dec 20, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (NLT) ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 )

It’s hard to believe, but sometimes God WANTS us to become sad and upset. He desires that we use those emotions constructively for spiritual growth to bring us closer to Him. The big question is at the end of the day do you feel sadness over your past behavior because of disobedience to God or for the consequences of your actions? Feeling worldly sorrow? Don’t worry, seek God in all of your ways.

First Among You

Posted on Dec 18, 2016 in Uncategorized | 0

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NLT) ( Mark 10:43-45 )

We are all leaders whether we know it or not. But the real questions is if you recognize your leadership among others and lead according to Jesus’s standard. Not even Jesus abused His power to advance His efforts. So why do we? What areas of your life do you place yourself above others?

Teaching the Truth

Posted on Dec 17, 2016 in Devotions | 0

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth. (NLT) ( Acts 17:11 )

It’s very important we stay tuned into God’s word. Otherwise, how will we know if we are receiving the truth according to Christ’s teaching? Couldn’t we easily be misguided if we are not well versed with the truth? God has blessed us with an important tool, the Bible. Let’s use it correctly to steer ourselves in the right direction as well as to determine if others are teaching us correctly. Are you familiar with the Bible to determine if others are teaching according to what it says?