Pastor’s Pen
Accountability has been used for quite some time to ensure that people will perform a task at hand. This notion of accountability eliminates the time and effort that many will spend on unproductive material or any function that would be counteractive of the goal set. Many have used others to be an accountability partner. These partners will keep each other on track for a specific purpose or goal. This can be working out, eating healthy, reading, or many other uses. Can this be applied to our spiritual life? We have an accountability partner which does not need to ask if we have stayed on course, or faltered. This is the Holy Spirit of God within us and dwells in every believer. We will give an account before God. Be accountable, now, to God in every minute of every day!
Pastor’s Pen
Calendars are so important to us today. They have been made available in various ways. Some prefer the planner calendar. Others prefer the pocket calendar. There are many that prefer the digital calendar that can be synced across their various devices. With our calendars we can mark the important dates and events that are approaching such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays or a special event. As we look at our calendar, we prepare for those events around the corner. There is one event that should be atop every calendar event because it is imminent! The return of our Lord and Savior could be today! We do not know the date or the time but we must be prepared for His return! I am excited as I think of how we could see Jesus today! How about you? Are looking forward to His return? Are you prepared for His return? Do you have room in your calendar for Him? Today is a wonderful day to make preparations and welcome Jesus into your life!
Monday Minute
The book of Psalms, the songbook of the people of Israel! They sang the praises of the Lord. One of my personal favorites is the third verse of the third Psalm. “But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory and the lifter up of my head”! These wonderful words are a sweet reminder and encouragement that God is all we need! Discouragement is sure to arise in our life, and attacks will certainly be waged against us. It is when it seems that all is lost, we have a wonderful God to lift us. He is there to shield us! The world may rise against us and try to defeat us. The number of those that are against us may be innumerable! The armies of the world are waging war on the people of God! Our advantage are not our numbers, our intelligence or our strategy! Our advantage is God! Encourage yourself today in the Lord!
Pastor’s Pen
May I ask you a personal question? What have your recent studies involved? We all have interests and subjects that spark conversation in our lives. Many can speak about the latest trades and statistics of the popular sports teams and figures. Others may speak about the hot topics of the political realm with fervency and passion! There are some that can inform you of the news of the pop culture icons. These are all subjects in which people take interest and study in order to speak about them. They speak in reference to them for hours! Radio and television stations are dedicated to speak about these subjects! May I ask another question? How long are your conversations concerning God’s Word? Are you as comfortable talking about God’s Word as you are about pop culture, politics or news? Can we speak about God’s Word as long as we do about the things of this world? A gentle reminder that God’s Word states: “study to show thyself approved”.
Monday Minute
Have you ever been in great need of some rest and relaxation? Remember the old saying, “no rest for the weary”? A verse in Mark has helped me. Jesus speaks to His disciples and tells them to come and rest a while. The rest of the verse states that they didn’t have time to eat. We find ourselves involved in so much that we fill our time with stuff. At times, we fill our time with ministry. But if we fail to keep time to feed our spirit we awaken to find ourselves spiritually drained. We have all been guilty at one time or another to think we are too important to slow down. The truth is God given us permission to rest. Jesus Himself calls us to rest in Him. But the enemy that we are faced with will fill your time with many things. This attempt is to distract us from what is really important. Take a moment to rest with your Savior! Talk to Him in leisure. Then you will find that your sleep will be sweet.
Pastor’s Pen
My phone has an app that sends me news about the latest issues in the world. It notifies me of stories that range from political pieces to sports. Within these stories will inevitably be a new catastrophe of a “reality star” and their sad commentary or outrage of the issue at hand. I wonder, how much is really “reality” and how much is staged for ratings and hits on the internet? These individuals are in the center of attention because they know how to stay in the center of attention. Simply put, much of it is performance. That concern made me ponder the people in churches around the country. I wonder how much is real Christianity or how much is performance? How many church attenders are impressive performers and not pursuers of Jesus Christ? Take account of our own life. Are we pursuing Christ-likeness, or are we performing for the audiences? Our life should not be fake reality for Christ but a genuine outpouring of Christ within us!
Monday Minute
Today was the launch of Diving Deep, our vacation Bible school! We are so excited about what God has begun today! Some do ask why we dedicate such effort to these children. The answer is simple. Jesus had much to say about the children during His earthly ministry. It is with His example that we must continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was offended when the disciples attempted to keep the children from Him. He rebuked the disciples and welcomed the children into His presence. We also must teach and preach to the next generation that Jesus still saves! Our concern should be to those that are our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The gospel is still real. The gospel still saves. There is another generation that must accept Jesus and continue His command of the great commission! If you take a minute on this Monday, pray for us as we are Diving Deep into the Word of God! Pray for these children’s hearts to be tender and accept the wonderful Word of God!
Pastor’s Pen
Welcome to July!! This is the time of the year where the weather is hot and the children are enjoying their summer! That also means that vacation Bible school has arrived at our church! After months of preparation, the children will arrive on Monday for an exciting adventure! This adventure is the Word of God. Honestly, there is nothing more exciting than the Word of God! It contains action packed accounts, it describes men and women looking beyond their feeble attempts and depending on Jesus! There is a deceiver that ultimately commits betrayal to the Son of God. The Bible has triumph, tragedies and even love stories. The wonderful Book divine will be opened to the children that enter the doors this week and will be taught about faith, love, obedience, assurance and trust! Please pray for these precious souls. Pray that their hearts will be tender and be touched during this week!
Monday Minute
This week the USA will be celebrating its liberty. This is a wonderful time of fun for families as they enjoy cookouts and amazing displays of fireworks. July 4th is a great time to look back and see the hardships that the men and women had to overcome in those beginning days. Trials, threats and turmoil surrounded their lives as they looked to have freedom. We must remember and be thankful for the sacrifice on our behalf. A greater sacrifice has been made for us! This sacrifice took place on Calvary’s hill. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ has given freedom for all that believe! This freedom is not limited to a district, county, state or country. Nor is it maintained by the court systems of man! It has granted freedom for eternity from the penalty of sin and is maintained by the precious blood of Jesus Christ! What freedom we have been granted by our Lord and Savior! As we are celebrating freedom for America, take a minute to thank God for your freedom He has granted by His mercy and grace!
Pastor’s Pen
Excitement is a stimulant to anything. If someone is excited about a restaurant, an event, a particular place or about anything, excitement drives that person. Unfortunately, excitement tends to dwindle until there is nothing more than a memory of what was in the past. I am amazed as I see excitement over the release of a new movie, a new game, a new player joining a team or even a new discovery. Yes, this light of excitement grows more and more dim with each day. The worlds paraphernalia promises to give more and more but these temporary attachments fade. The excitement is over. What about your salvation? Contrary to the world’s promises, this is a gift that gives like no other! This should be a spring of living water within your soul! Has the excitement of salvation faded in your life? May I challenge you to look to the light that never fades or ceases! Get excited about what God has done for you! Salvation!
Pastor’s Pen
Since I was a child, I remember homecoming services at church. I am not sure what made these days so anticipated, but little has changed in my heart about this wonderful day. I enjoy this wonderful day of worshipping the Lord on His day and serving alongside of God’s people. Homecoming day is a special day! But there is coming a greater day! Just as the Bible teaches that there is One greater than Solomon, Moses, John the Baptist and all of the prophets, likewise, there is a greater day coming! A day that is the great homecoming day in which Jesus Christ Himself will shout and we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye! On that great day, we will be home forever more, where there will be no tears, pain, death and sorrow at all. The homecoming in which we will be with the One that gave Himself for us! Homecoming here allows us to look forward to a great homegoing there!! I’m excited, how about you?
Pastor’s Pen
Our Lord and Savior gave instructions for His followers to perform while He went away to prepare a place for us. These instructions are found in last verses of Matthew 28. Bible students have named this the great commission. The great commission is a vital part of the Christian life. We must go and tell others of the sacrifice Jesus made and the need of salvation in this world. We must show the need of salvation just as we were shown. We also have a great need for continued teaching and training. A new Christian is a fresh target for Satan and his band of fallen angels. It is important that we go beyond witnessing and we work with young Christians to become strong Christians grounded in the Word of God. They must grow to show others that Jesus saves! Those that have been saved have a duty to grow and mature by discipling other Christians to perform this needed ministry in the future!
Pastor’s Pen
We have all seen the little signs about what makes a house a home. Even some that say, “home is where you park it” for those that enjoy an RV. I recently saw one with “Family is what makes a house a home”. These are all wonderful signs that we display and show the affection for and the importance of the home and the family that dwells there. The people of God first made a house for God to dwell in a tent. Later, a magnificent temple was constructed in Jerusalem. Now, we have places of worship to allow the local congregations to come together and worship God. These are not for God to dwell there. God has chosen not to sit in an empty building but in the hearts of men that trust in Him. What a privilege to have such an inhabitant in us! Just as the house is not a home without inhabitants, men are not Christian without God in their temple. May we ever thank Him for dwelling in us!
Pastor’s Pen
Today, we celebrate Mother’s Day around the country. We set this day aside to recognize the loving, nurturing, caring spirit of mothers. It is truly described that a mother’s love is like no other love on this earth. The love that is displayed every time they give a tender hug and soft kiss to their child. A mother’s love is not limited to just those expressions, but evident as they prepare an exquisite meal or even perform the thankless task of the endless loads of laundry. A special place is in the heart of a mother for her child. This is why a mother’s love is exemplified at a moment when a mother prays for their child. Whether it be for salvation, strength, healing or the many needs of her child. These prayer warriors are the ladies that are heard in and move heaven for the children. Thank you to all the mothers that have done all the above and gone far above these as well. God bless you all!
Pastor’s Pen
Wisdom is a quality that all people should desire. Wisdom is spoken highly of and the search for wisdom is encouraged in the Bible. Our Wednesday evening services have been concentrating on the study in the book of Proverbs. Our study has displayed the wisdom of those that have followed the wisdom of the Lord and the folly of those that have rejected the wisdom of the Lord. The book of Proverbs often uses pathways to describe our choices and consequences of choosing a certain path. What is the difference of knowledge, understanding and wisdom? Join us as we continue to ponder the paths of wisdom during this study! There is much to learn from this wonderful book of the Bible and much that we can apply to our life every day!
