Pastor Craig Carter

North Kent Community Church

1480 Indian Lakes Rd., Sparta, 

Church Phone #: 550-6398

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39 NIV).

The Apostle Paul wrote these amazing words to the church in Rome. It was a group of people, whom the apostle Paul had never even met. Yet, he loved them so much, he wanted to remind them of God’s love for them. We see from this verse that he asks them a very simple, yet profound question. “Who or what can separate you from the love of God?” So, precious people of North Kent County, who or what can separate you from the love of God? I, like the apostle, have never met the majority of you reading this article, yet I am compelled to remind you of God’s love for you.

An amazing truth! I have found that it is easier for people to believe that God exists, than it is for them to truly believe that He loves them—that He is crazy, head over heels in love with them and concerned about every detail of their lives. If our understanding of God does not go any deeper than His existence, we will continue to believe that the things of this life have somehow separated us from His love. God’s amazing love convinced the apostle Paul that there was nothing that could separate him from it. Do you believe this? Or are you like many of us who struggle to believe it? If you struggle with believing or accepting the love of God, then I encourage you to simply say, “Lord, convince me!” Then sit back and watch Him show you that His love for you is not tied to your behavior, good or bad, but in His nature alone. The nature of God is love. That is why I am continually convinced myself that God enjoys convincing us of His love. Are you convinced yet?

Why the hoopla over convincing us of His love? Because it makes us more than a conqueror! Notice what the apostle Paul said in verse 37, “No, in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” We learn from this verse that his love reaches all things. There is not one area or circumstance of our lives that God’s love does not touch. Secondly, it makes us more than conquerors. The love of God not only gets us over circumstances but can keep us there. His love cannot only provide a job for the unemployed, but can pay every bill. His love cannot only save your marriage, but can make your love for one another thrive and flourish again. His love cannot only get you over depression but also can renew your hope and restore your joy for the future.  Now that’s being “more than a conqueror.” What made it possible? The love of God! Will you receive it today? Will you quit believing that God simply exists and start believing that he exists to reveal His love to you? If have never received God’s love, then open your heart and acknowledge this priceless truth, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).” Enjoy the Love of God!

Pastor Craig Carter
North Kent Community Church
1480 Indian Lakes Rd., Sparta, • Church Phone: 550-6398

I recently spent some time with a friend and his family. He shared a personal story about his son, who recently went through some legal difficulties. We had the privilege of praying for and encouraging his family and his son through these difficulties. Since that time, my friend’s story has profoundly touched my heart and life. It has reminded me of how much I need God and am dependent upon Him.
His story went on to include details about his son’s arrest. He shared that after having been arrested, his son appeared before the judge, where his bond was set.   His son had some money on him personally and was hoping to simply bond himself out of jail. Unfortunately, the judge set the bond amount for $12 more than he had on his person. He found himself $12 short! His financial shortfall required him to call his father for help. Of course, this was not want he wanted to do. His son’s desire was to just take care of his problem on his own.
Does this sound familiar? How many times in our lives as human beings have we tried to solve our problems on our own? We, like my friend’s son, respond the same way. We say, “I can take care of this myself.” The problem with this thought process is that God never intended for us to do things on our own. As a result, we too fall short. I do not like this feeling of “falling short.” It makes me feel inadequate and nobody likes that feeling. However, I have come to realize that is exactly how God planned it. Our “shortfalls” and inadequacies, if we let them, will cause us to rely on God for his help. The Apostle Paul knew this truth when he wrote, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Rom 3:22-24 –NIV). Paul reminds us that trust (faith) in Jesus Christ makes up the difference. We are redeemed from our sin, and our shortcomings, simply by trusting in God and His amazing grace. You cannot earn it, you must simply believe and receive it! In essence, God provides the $12 you need, but you have to ask Him for it. Have you ever asked God to make up the difference in your life? Have you ever acknowledged that you are a sinner and that you fall short? Even if you are a Christian, do you live with the realization that without God, you will always come up short of what you need?  Or do you live a self-reliant life? In another portion of scripture, the Apostle Paul said, “In Him I live and move and can’t get away from him (Acts 17:28 -The Message). We realize that without him we can do nothing. You have to come to realize that your self-reliant nature does not like this truth. That is what I have come to realize in this story.  My self–reliant nature always leaves me $12 dollars short of what I need. However, when I simply acknowledge my complete dependence upon God, He always makes up for what I lack. I just need to humble myself, like my friend’s son, and call my Heavenly Father.

Pastor Craig Carter
North Kent Community Church

1480 Indian Lakes Rd., Sparta,

Church Phone #: 550-6398
Heb 12:24: “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (KJV).
First of all, I would like to say how much I appreciated Pastor Ryan Black’s article in the February 17th edition of the Cedar Post. He wrote an article titled “Pattern of the Blood.” His simple writing about the importance of the blood of Jesus was very powerful. We often forget that there is truly “power in the blood!” As the great hymn goes, “power, power, wonder working power…” So, I just thought I would take a few moments to note a few things about the wonder working power of Jesus blood.

Better Things

We see according to Hebrews 12:24, that the blood of Jesus Christ speaks “better things” than the blood of Abel. You may remember this story about two brothers named Cain and Abel. Unfortunately, Cain allowed his heart to become hardened towards God and his brother, and thought the answer to his rejectionwas to kill his brother. Ever since, Abel’s blood has “spoken from the ground” it was spilled on. It has cried out for justice! The good news is that Jesus’ blood shed at Calvary speaks of better things. It says, there is mercy and forgiveness.  It says, although we deserved justice, He was willing to give us things we did not deserve. If that is not better, I do not know what is.
Better Hope
Hebrews 7:19 says, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” The Blood of Jesus Christ provided a better hope. A hope not simply founded in the wishes and dreams of our own life, but on the life of Jesus Christ. It permits us to “draw close to God.”  The have a relationship with one who tells us that nothing we experience or face in life, will ever leave us hopeless.

Better Promises

Heb 8:1-6  says, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” The Blood Jesus provided the assurance of “better promises.”  We have the blessing of the New Testament, full of wonderful promises to those who believe them. My favorite is found in Hebrews 12:5. This verse promises that God will “never leave you and never forsake you”!

Better and Enduring Substance

Heb 10:34 states, “For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” What a blessing to know that the Blood of Jesus purchased eternal things. We live a life so focused on temporal things. Things that never provide the love, joy, peace and assurance we are looking for. Yet, through Christ, we have a better and enduring substance, one full of eternal assurances. That is why we are encouraged as Christians to “store up things” in heaven where moth and rust can not corrupt.

Better Country

Heb 11:16 reads, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” This verse speaks of our eternal home called heaven. A place where Jesus said he went to prepare for us. A place, where all those who have received salvation through the shed blood of Jesus will go when they die.  A place where every tear will be wiped away and joy and peace will be ours for eternity. Now, this place is clearly a better than the alternative. A place that we do not often talk about, but is real none the less. A place called Hell. A place of eternal separation from God, where no joy or peace will ever be found. That’s why I desire the “better country.” How about you? It simple to go there.  thank Jesus for shedding His blood for your sins. Tell Him you are sorry for thinking other things are “better” and receive Him into your life.

Gospel singers Reg and Gretchen Dunneman will sing at North Kent Community Church, 1480 Indian Lakes, Sparta, on Wednesday evening, September 2, at 7 p.m. (They will also sing briefly at the United worship event in Morley Park this Sunday, August 30.)

The Dunnemans, from Binghamton, NY, sing their own special blend of gospel music, including southern gospel, traditional, hymn, classical, country, bluegrass and contemporary Christian styles. Their full-time ministry presents over 350 concerts a year, from Maine to Florida to Arizona.

They have produced several recordings that will be available at the service. Their latest recording, “Before the Throne” was released in early February. CDs are $15.

Reg Dunneman, a native of Stratford, Ontario, grew up in a musical family and played piano at an early age. He organized the Victors Trio and then the Tabernacle Trio, which sang in Ontario for years. For 20 years, he sang with Canada’s Galileans, a southern gospel quartet that toured Canada and the United States.

Gretchen has been a member of the Friendship Trio, singing in churches and Bible conferences. She also sang with the Broome County (NY) Savoyards, performing Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and in the choruses of the BC Pops, the Binghamton Symphony Orchestra and the Tri Cities Opera, all in Binghamton, New York.

Both Reg and Gretchen have sung with the Binghamton Madrigal Choir, which performs a cappella choral works.

For more information, call the church at 887-2478.