Pastor’s Pen
Emotions are powerful. Emojis have been invented to express emotions of a person’s state of mind. In the age of texting, some simply send one of these emojis as a response. But emotions can be deceiving in many ways. Emotions can blind a person from rationality. Emotion can spur a person into action. Emotion can control our actions. But as a Christian, we are commanded to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and follow the leading of God in our life. Our emotion at times can lead us to a path of despair and feel as if God no longer is near nor cares. Child of God, this could be no further than the truth. God does care and He is good! Our circumstances influence our emotion but circumstances do not influence God. He is steadfast, true and loving no matter the circumstances we face. Do not allow the enemy to turn your eyes on the circumstances and make emotion your ruler. Trust that the same Jesus is with us each step of the way.
Pastor’s Pen
It is no secret that we believe that God is the Creator of this universe. We believe God used the power of His Word to create all things great and small. We tend to leave the creation process at that time and give no thought to what He continues to create for each of us everyday day. Each morning, God creates a spectacular scene for us to enjoy as the sun He created blooms into full view. There are bursts of blue, pink, purple with touches of thin lined, white clouds that demonstrate a new day is dawning. The sunrise is never the same, the clouds are not placed in the same place, the purple may be more brilliant than the pink on any given day. When considering the entire world, the sunrise is not the same in every place. He creates these masterpieces constantly. Yet He still has time for you and I. He can make a beautiful sunrise in your heart today. Open up your heart today, and let a little sunshine in.
Pastor’s Pen
How far is your reach? Recently, there was an item that I was reaching for and I could only get my fingertips to the surface of the item. It came to mind how hard I was stretching to reach that desired item. Do I stretch myself for the Lord? Do we try to extend our reach for Jesus or are we content with watching some things pass by without reaching for them? Is your reach limited to a few people in your home? Is it limited to those people that are in your family? It may be limited to those people that we attend church with each worship service at our church. But our reach should be much further than those that enter into these four walls. Yes, reach what is here but do we reach to touch others for Jesus’ sake every day? Our ministry has been given to us to use for the glory of God. Our ministry should not begin and end with the worship services, it must be a part of our everyday life! So go on and reach another this week. Stretch to see just how far you can be used!
Pastor’s Pen
Day by day we live our life in light of what is most important to each of individual. We place the emphasis on that which is important to us. If sports are important to an individual, then emphasis, time, money and energy will be placed on those sports. There is no shortage of objects that fight to gain our attention. It can range from sports, careers, healthy living, our front yard, home, family or hobbies. You can fill in the blank for what is important to you. If you question what that is in your life, then ask, “Where have I spent my time, talent, money and interest this week?” Your answer will not take long to appear. Where is your Bible, prayer time and worship of God? The Christian has no greater important task or object than these. Take time to place God on the top of your emphasis list this week. I assure you that God will be there with open arms!
Pastor’s Pen
The past week has been a fast paced, whirlwind here at Calvary. The Time Lab was in full swing and we hosted over forty children throughout the week. These precious few days of teaching the Word of God will not be forgotten! We had children from ages four to fourteen singing, playing and learning about Jesus Christ our Savior! It was wonderful! We saw God move in the lives of some of these young people in such a short time. Please keep these children in your prayers as God continues to work in their lives. There are some that God really began a great work in and He will complete it! Our prayer is God will be glorified by the VBS and the seeds that were planted God will water and bring to eternal life!
Pastor’s Pen – VBS!
Yes!! We have a time machine in the sanctuary. Do not fret, we will not be operating the time machine during service! Displayed on the platform and around the church today are the amazing talents and abilities that God has blessed our church family with. We kick off VBS today to reach out to the community and lost souls. As we spent time canvassing the community, many people were interested in this time of learning about the One and only Savior of the world! This excites me to know we can reach these young lives for eternity! Each morning at 8 AM, our VBS team and volunteers will be meeting for prayer and devotional time. Remember these faithful workers this week in your prayers and especially that we might reach a lost soul and see eternity changed in the lives of these young children, then reach their family for Christ as well!! It’s time for VBS!!
Pastor’s Pen
Homecoming!! This has always been an exciting day for me! Even as a child I looked forward to Homecoming day at church! Today, I look forward again to this wonderful time with the people of God. The sweet fellowship that the family of God possesses because of the common person of the Holy Spirit dwelling in each to witness to one another! Then, of course there is the food! Most will associate homecoming with delicious foods and delectable desserts. While this is a bonus, it is not truly the reason for coming to church today. Jesus told a group of people to not labor for the meat that perishes, but for the meat that will endure to everlasting life (Jn 6:27). That is the true reason for coming into the worship service today. Let us sing praises to the Lord, worship God as we hear sweet melodies lifting up the name above all names. Then the main course, the Word of God!! Let us hear from God and worship Him!
Pastor’s Pen
Today is another special day for many people! We have set this day aside to be able to celebrate and give thanks for our fathers! I personally am so very thankful for the father that God has given me. A leader of our family, a spiritual influence in my life and an example to the type of father that I should be to my family. Fathers, you are the leader of your household. You are the men that should stand and lead your family in this world, teaching them to walk after the footsteps of the Lord, seek the Word of God for the abundant truths it contains and place an emphasis on the importance of the relationship each member of your family should have with Christ. It is wonderful to have an active dad to play, teach you to throw a ball, or even to sit at tea time with your daughter. The fathers most important role is to teach their family to serve, love and seek the Lord! And may we thank our heavenly Father for our dad!
Pastor’s Pen
I have been privileged to be able to spend time with wonderful people of God! Some have been preachers, teachers, prayer warriors and those that sing the praises of the worthy Lamb of God. I have had opportunity to observe these great men and women of God in good times and in tough times. It has been to my great joy to hearing the accounts of those blessed by the hand of God. There has been one common theme among each testimony told. God has been faithful and will continue to be faithful! When pondering many passages of Scripture, we find people that are blatantly unfaithful to the Lord and yet we see the faithfulness of the Lord in every account. God was faithful to those in the times of the Bible and God has been faithful to those saints that have testified of His goodness and mercy in recent years! He has not changed! Therefore, you and I can count on God to continue to be faithful! No matter the storm, no matter the fight, I have a faithful friend that will never leave me nor forsake me!
Pastor’s Pen
The world in which we live seems to thrive on division. Division has only grown stronger in the past few years and some even advance this disunity. Most people say they desire to have peace and unity, yet there is more disunity and much more adversity. These issues are growing stronger and the world is looking to a place where there is true love and unity! This is where the people of God can truly shine. The church, where the people of God come together, should be nothing more than a place of love, prayer, worship of God and fellowship with fellow believers. When the outside world sees the difference in the people that make up the church, they will desire to be a part and we can show them the way to the Savior! Our Savior said in His Word that all men would know that we are followers of Him by the love we have for one another. Let us come together today in unity and love and worship the Worthy Lamb!! Praise the Lord!
Pastor’s Pen
This weekend, America will pause to remember those heroic soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. This holiday known as Memorial Day originated by a group of men that desired to remember and decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. This began just a few short years after the wars ends and was known as Decoration Day. It was not until 1971 that the holiday was set aside to honor the brave soldiers that had fallen in all American wars. I thank God that I am privileged to be an American and enjoy the blessing of living in these United States of America! We are even more blessed to have the honor and privilege to worship God today. The God that sent His Son to die on the cruel cross of Calvary for you and I. Today we remember the sacrifice of soldiers in service that has given freedom in this country, as well as the great sacrifice that has produced everlasting life! Thank you Lord!
Pastor’s Pen
Time is a commodity that everyone on the earth has been gifted an equal amount each day. There is also an ever running clock in constant motion to which our lives run. As we live in a digital age, the passing of time is not so apparent, but in years past, the hour glass was an effective way of keeping time as well as a visual reminder how time quickly fades. God has blessed each of us with this time to use wisely for His honor and glory. What have you done today to further the kingdom of God with your time gifted to you today? It is quickly passing by and many are entering eternity with no hope of salvation. Some are our co-workers, friends and family members. The Bible reminds us that there is a time for all things and Jesus said that this is harvest time. Have you been to the field today? Are you on your way? The field is before us and the time is now!
Pastor’s Pen
During the last few days, I have seen the heartache, pain and havoc that the enemy can cause in lives. The battle is very real during these days and the enemy is showing no mercy! Today, as we worship God, may we pray for the protection and power of God to overshadow the families of Calvary Baptist Church. May we keep our focus on Jesus Christ as we walk the path before us. May we begin and end each day, thanking God for His mercy and grace. May we thank God that the battle is His when we surrender our lives to Him. Be aware, keep a watch! The roaring lion is prowling! Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you!Pastor’s Pen
Have you ever had a project that seemed to never end? Those projects are trying to the body, mind and soul. You look to see the end of the project and it seems not near to you but to extend itself! The good news is, there will be an end someday. The same is true in our Christian lives. There are trial and tribulations that befall us and at times we see no end! May I encourage the weary Christian today, there is coming a better and brighter day ahead. The trial will end and the sun will rise again from your long dreary night! Hold fast to the unchanging hand of God until the Daystar appears! Joy is approaching for Jesus is coming soon!
Pastor’s Pen
I am encouraged as I read through the Scripture that God has so lovingly given to us! I read the accounts of the great men and women as they work diligently for the Lord and this gives me courage to go on for the One worthy to be worshipped! It is a true blessing to have the Bible that we can read each and every day! Please do not take this blessing for granted as we have the privilege many do not possess. As we worship the Savior today, let us remember what a privilege we have as we open our Bibles. What a love we have been shown! What an encouragement we have as we read the Holy Word of God!!
