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30 Day Challenge (Day 2)

By Daily Devo

I am a Bright Star

Matthew 2 Summary:
Some time after Jesus was born, “wise men” from the East came seeking this newborn king. They followed the star in the sky that lead them to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. They came bearing gifts fit for a king.
But as they were seeking and asking about this newborn king, King Herod found out and in an attempt to protect his position as king, he ordered all of the babies in Bethlehem to be killed. But God sent an angel to warn Joseph.  He then took Mary and Jesus and traveled to Egypt and remained there until Herod was dead.
Read Matthew 2
Consideration
The wise men were able to find Jesus because they followed a bright star from the East. Once they found Jesus by following the light, they became a light by telling others about Jesus.
While the star over Bethlehem was a one in a lifetime phenomenon, the same should not be said of the light of a Christian. Our light should be on display every day so we too will be able to shine and lead others to Christ through our love and good deeds. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Are you shining your light?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, set me on fire for you that I may shine bright and lead others to you. Amen!

Read More >> https://ccfjax.org/category/daily-devo/

30 Day Challenge (Day 1)

By Daily Devo

HISStory

Matthew 1 Summary
Matthew begins his gospel by tracing the genealogy of Jesus forty two generations, all the way back to Abraham. In the lineage of Jesus, he includes both men and women. Some were prominent like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and Solomon, while others, very little is known about them. Among those mentioned included prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, and idolators.  As you can see, Jesus family tree had many bad apples. 
 
But despite His family history, Jesus came to be the Christ, the Savior of not only His blood family, but the Savior of all mankind. In Genesis 22:18, God promised Abraham, the first person listed in Jesus’ genealogy, that “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” Matthew makes the connection, that the promised child is Jesus, the baby that was born to a virgin mother and who was a descendant of Abraham. For He is Emmanuel, which means God with us.
 
Read Matthew 1
 
Consideration
It does not matter what your history looks like, Jesus came to save you and to use you to accomplish His purposes. He wants to take ordinary people like you and use them to change history by forming Christ in them. All He wants are willing hearts. Will you allow Him to use you?
 
Prayer
Lord God, I know I have not lived up to your standards and expectations. But I know you want to use me despite of my history. Take my life and change me so that Christ can be formed in me, that the world may know you and glorify you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
 

30 Day Challenge

By Daily Devo

Starting the New Year Right

Hello Church family,

I pray you are having a blessed New Year. As we come to the close 2016 and begin 2017, it is my hope and prayer that this year will be filled with more of Jesus and that you may known the riches of His glory.

In case you were not able to attend todays church service, I gave a challenge to the church to enter into a 30 day commitment. If you were not in attendance, please click here to listen/watch the message.

The Challenge
The challenge I gave to the church is for us to commit to doing the following four things.

1) Devotion

  • For the next 30 days, we will be sending out an email devotion summarizing one chapter of Matthew. We are hoping you will commit to reading the devotion and the chapter each day.

2) Prayer

  • Write down things and people you want to pray for and commit to praying for them each day.
    Commit to fasting every Monday in January. You may choose to do a partial or full day fast.
    Suggestion: We also recommend you abstain from things (non-food related) that may be hindering your spiritual growth. Pray and ask God to reveal what things they might be.

3) Fellowship

  • Commit to attending 2 services a week.
    Get to know different people in the church.
    Invite a brother or sister from the church to your house for lunch or dinner.

4) Evangelism

  • Commit to sharing your faith with someone. It may be a family, friend, co-worker or neighbor.

If you have any questions regarding this challenge, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to seeing and hearing what God will do in your life as you “Seek first His kingdom.”

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
Pastor Allen

What would be the best book to read in the Bible on Change?

By Bible Questions

new life loading concept on blackboard

QUESTION: What would be the best book to read in the Bible on Change. One changing themselves? Please and thank you. God bless.

ANSWER: You have asked a very good question. I think the best book in the bible to read about change is Paul’s letter to the Romans. However, the entire bible is filled with examples of people whose lives have been changed by the transforming power of God. But before you start reading, here are a couple of important things you need to understand.

We Cannot Change Ourselves

From the beginning of time people have always tried to change/better themselves. This can be seen through the entire bible beginning with Adam and Eve. Eve believed she could become more godly by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When you look at others in the bible: Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Peter, Paul, and others, they all have tried to make themselves better but all failed. The reason they failed is because they tried to better themselves apart from God.

Romans 1 tells us man tried to be good without God. In chapter 2, Paul demonstrates that even with the 10 commandments, man still was not able to be good. In chapter 3, Paul concluded “we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” Therefore “there is none righteous, no not one.” Our best efforts have left us weak and without hope.

In Romans 7, Paul describes the battle he faced (all of humanity faces the same battle). He said, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:18-19)

Despite our best efforts to do good, we will all still do evil. So what is the solution? Paul gives us the answer at the end of Romans 7, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25).

Paul’s solution to change is Jesus.

No Other Way

Consider the question Jesus asked when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

What Jesus was in essence asking, “If man could save/change themselves, don’t let me go to the cross.” But the fact remains, man cannot save/change himself so Jesus had to die for us.

Jesus – The Perfect Man

God’s desire for us is that we become holy and perfect. We know there is only one man that ever walked the earth who never sinned and was perfect in every way — Jesus. In Romans 8, Paul declared that God wants to make us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). We refer to this transforming work of God as sanctification. God, through Jesus will make us like Him.

The Work Begins

In Romans 10, we are told, when we accept the Gospel, when we confess Jesus as Lord, He will save us and begin His transforming work in our lives.

Change comes naturally (Abiding in Christ)

In Chapter 12, Paul gives us the key to change — “that you present your bodies a living sacrifice…” In other words, give your life to Jesus and He will change you. He will equip you (Romans 12:3-8). He teaches us how to behave towards others (Romans 12:9 – Romans 13:14).

When I became a Christian, it was never my goal to change myself. As I simply loved Jesus (read my bible, pray, attend church 2x a week, serve, join a small group, fellowship with believers), Jesus changed my life. He changed my attitude, my thought life, and my sinful desires soon faded away.

Jesus said this in John 15, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

My encouragement to you is that you continue to abide in Christ and like a fruit tree that produces it’s fruit in season, Jesus will transform you from the inside and the evidence will be shown on the outside.

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

I did a teaching on each chapter in the book of Romans.  Here is a link to those messages: https://ccfjax.org/sermons/series/romans/

I hope this answers your question.

Pastor Allen

Married Couples Valentines Dinner

By Couples

Married Couples Valentines Dinner
Friday, February 12th | 7:00pm

Married couples come celebrate the love that captured your hearts. Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville will be hosting a romantic evening filled with dancing, a catered dinner, delicious desserts and so much more.

Come rekindle that flame on Friday, February 13 from 7pm to 10 pm. The cost is $40 with a professional portrait or $35 without. Childcare is available, $5 per family. Reservations required @ ccfjax.com or contact church office @ (904) 628-1463

Date: Friday, February 12th, 2016
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cost: $40 ($35 without portrait)
Location: Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville
7510 Plantation Bay Drive N.
Jacksonville, FL 32244

Grand Opening Celebration

By Announcements

grand-openingYour invited to the grand opening of Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville’s newly renovated building on January 10th. We have renovated this entire building to help people (like yourself) know Jesus better.

While we will be celebrating the opening of the new building, we will also be focusing on what it means to “Follow Jesus.” So… please be our guest! We look forward to worshiping with you.

Please help us get the word out by “liking” and “sharing” this invitation to your friends.

Youth Movie Night (Dec 18 @ 7pm)

By Youth Ministry

Youth-Night-Web

FREE MOVIE
FREE Pizza & Snacks
December 18 AT 7pm

Please RSVP and bring a friend

Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville
CalvaryWJ.org | 904-628-1463

RSVP Form

 

Verification

Trunk or Treat

By Announcements

Come on out for a safe and fun night of “Trunk-or-treat.” Trunks Filled with Candy, Plus Music, Inflatable Slide, Free Hot Dogs, Chips & Drinks. 

Where:
Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville
7510 Plantation Bay Drive N
Jacksonville, FL 32244.

When: October 31st from 7pm-8p

For more information call 904-628-1463