“Abide in Christ”

Extending love is something that is expected and mandated by God. Being loved and appreciated is one of life’s greatest gifts.  It is true that people’s behavior is a freedom of choice, yet the greatest spiritual truth that we can share is LOVE. Having the opportunity to share that love is also one of life’s greatest treasurers. Many love as they have been loved and vice versa, yet the words we will examine Sunday morning teach us valuable lessons and great insight into the scheme and plan of life.

Prior to our services this Sunday at Daniels Chapel Church, please take time to read John 15: 1-17. Jesus said in (John 15: 17), “These things I command you, that you love one another.” Yet, how many people fail to deliver on this expectation? How many deliberately ignore what Jesus says? It is evident that many individuals live with a sour heart and so many forsake this blessing.

We live in a day and time that many hold grudges and seem to forget that people have feelings and when words and ungodly actions come our way that it hurts. Yet, I am also mindful that some people do not care how far they have to go with their issues to cut people down to the core and inflict harm and damage that takes years to psychologically, mentally and emotionally to repair. How many go through life self-centered and due to their misbehavior regret in the long run how they have lived their life and treated other people? How many fail to “Abide in Christ?” How many fail to “love as Jesus loves?”

When we “Abide in Jesus” our actions and attitudes reflect as such. He is the vine and we are the branch and we must always be united and connected to Him. In a day and time when people are guilty of labeling others and over-generalizing and discounting positives, may it be our desire to see the GOOD in all people and look at the heart. Jesus commands us to “Abide in Him.” People who do that exemplify love at all times, in all circumstances and in any and all occasions. Trees are known by the fruit they bear. Actions speak louder than words. Let us “love one another” as Christ has first loved us. May it be our desire to bear “Jesus Fruit!!”

Sunday evening I will be speaking on the subject of “Betrayal.” Once again, that is a place each of us has been in life for being “betrayed” is one of the worse things that can happen to a person. Be sure to mediate on Matthew 15: 10-20 and John 13: 21-30 over the weekend.

Blessings and love to all. Always know that our staff and our families love and appreciate you. In the end it is important that we love Jesus, love all people, love one another and love His Church. Be forgiving and forgetful. 

In His Service and Love,

Johnny

Pastor Johnny Sullivan

Friday, February 22, 2013

“Following the Call”

  

In this week’s edition of Pastoral Letters of Encouragement I want to share some exciting news that I learned on Thursday. Yesterday I had the opportunity to go over to Rocky Mount at lunch and meet with Dr. Doug Slater, Chuck McCann and Paul LoSoo- the three gentlemen that I have had the pleasure and honor of serving with overseas in India. It was a great time to get together; seeing that it had been about a year since we sat down and talked about our families, ministry and what is happening in India.

The greatest part of our reunion yesterday was when Chuck announced to us that now that he is recently retired from the US Postal service, that he is following God’s call to full-time missionary work and is moving to India in June. All of us are excited for Chuck, for this is truly a leap of faith- to sell everything you own, leave it all behind (family, friends, the comforts and amenities of living in America) and to follow God as He leads him over half way across the world. I thought to myself, this is truly a living example of someone “denying themselves and taking up the cross and following Jesus!!”

Whether we are in India or here in the regions of Wilson County, God has called each of us to a special mission field to share the Gospel. Our youth can make connections with those that they play sports or go to school with. Adults can engage their lives for the Gospel to be shared as co-workers sit in a break-room or retirees go shopping; sit in a neighborhood restaurant or people enjoy a round of golf or fishing in the closest stream. People everywhere need Jesus and God is waiting for you (DANIELS CHAPEL CHURCH) to stand in the gap!

My message this week is simply this: let us have the fortitude and desires as my close friend Chuck to share the Gospel and tell others about Jesus Christ and may we FOLLOW THE CALL!! May God give us the passion for those who are lost and the many around us who are in need. Compassion and love must be extended to others; the same grace and mercy Christ has given us. True happiness comes when we give, so let us truly be “A Light into the Community (the world) for Jesus Christ!!”

Keep Chuck and all our friends in India and all around the world in prayer. I can assure you that those people over there are praying for us. Let us also pray one for another here at home as we serve and tell others about Jesus Christ and His wonderful Church!! There is still room at the cross!! Let us follow the call God has placed in our life and do our best to bring them in!

LET US PRAY:         Dear God, thank You for the opportunity to experience true living that is only found through the blood of Jesus. Thank You for salvation and the opportunity to be a minister for Your Gospel. Be with Chuck and our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. Help all of the people of Daniels Chapel Church to have a heart of compassion and love; so others can find joy and peace through the precious gift of Jesus. Prepare our hearts for a great weekend. Keep us safe and sound as we allow Your Spirit to direct our thoughts and actions. Heal every hurt and mend each need. And now may the grace of God the Father, the Love of Jesus Christ God’s Son, the sweet communion of His Holy Spirit; rest and abide with each of you now and forever...AMEN.

Blessing and love from our staff and families to you. We love all of you with all of our heart. Have a great weekend!! Please join us for our services Sunday!!

In His Service and Love,

JOHNNY

Pastor Johnny Sullivan

Friday, February 15, 2013

P.S. As you may have heard, the weather could be tricky tomorrow night and into Sunday morning. Please know that as of Friday that services are still scheduled as normal at DCC for Sunday, February 17. If you have any questions tomorrow night and into Sunday morning if the weather gets bad about our schedule here at DCC and if we cancel or postpone, this will be broadcast on WRAL-5, WTVD-11, WNCT-9, and our Church internet website.  

The God of Deliverance

In this week’s edition of Pastoral Letters of Encouragement, my heart’s desire is to offer words from the Lord that brings affirmation and joy to your life. I would like to ask you to take time and read PSALM 107 and let these passages feed your soul. The Psalmist in these words first gives thanks to the Lord “for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever!!”

Our amazing God is the One true God of hope and faith. In the Lord we find rescue from fault and failure and deliverance from sin, sickness and despair. Our prayer list continues to grow at Daniels Chapel with many different circumstances as people reach out to a Holy God in faith and assurance for deliverance to come. In this Psalm we find 4 major points that I ask you to dwell on as you study and meditate on this portion of God’s Word. They are:

·         God delivers His people from weariness to rest. (Verses 4-8)

·         God transitions individuals from darkness to light. (Verses 10-15)

·         God heals people and brings them from sickness to health. (Verses 18-21)

·         God rescues His own from danger to safety. (Verses 23-31)

Whatever you are going through today, I want you to know that God loves you and that He alone is the God of Deliverance. Whatever your prayer to Jesus Christ maybe at this moment I want to remind you that the Lord cares and He is listening. Whatever miracle you are waiting for, God is getting ready to send your blessing for “God is good and His mercy endures forever!!”

In closing, may our attitude be like the Psalmist who proclaimed multiple times in this passage these wonderful words of testimony, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”You are on the brink of greatness!! Your miracle is just around the corner!! Stand firm! Hold on!! Never, ever GIVE UP!!

LET US PRAY:         Dear God, as we Your people call out to You for deliverance, please bring rescue and relief. In gratitude we praise You for who You are and I ask Your blessing and touch to come to every life, home, family and to the entire body of Christ and Daniels Chapel Church. In faith we look to You for the answers to life’s circumstances with a promise: that when Your goodness is revealed that we will faithfully testify and proclaim Your wonderful works to all people. Bless us with a safe and prosperous weekend and prepare our hearts for what You have for us as worshipers and students of Your Word this Sunday at Daniels Chapel Church. Bind us together in harmony, unity and love for the cause of Jesus. Let our attitude be as we gather this weekend as the Psalmist who said, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4)   In Jesus Name, AMEN.

From our staff and families to each of you, WE LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU!!! Blessings for a great day in the Lord!! Praise the Name of Jesus!!! Our God is a God of DELIVERANCE!!!!

In His Service,

Johnny

Johnny Sullivan, Senior Pastor

Thursday, January 31, 2013