PASTOR’S THOUGHTS 12-15 thru12-31-24
YOUR SHEPHERD HOLDS YOU May peace flow like a river through the very depths of your being. May joy rise within you like the morning sun. God offers fresh mercies and real power for each new day. Lay hold of them. May God’s ever-present strength awaken your heart and sturdy your steps. May your faith grow until it swallows up your every fear. God is with you at the break of day. He will not fail you. Though darkness and despair and weakness threaten to overtake you…they will not…they cannot…because you belong to Jesus! Take refuge in Him. He is your stronghold…your high tower…your deliverer…and your defender. Believe that He is–even now–working on your behalf. He heals, reveals, corrects, and redirects. He’s your perfect shepherd and will lead you safely through the storm. Trust Him with your whole heart today! ❤️ Malachi 4:2 ““But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” –Susie Larson
ANSWER THE CHALLENGE: Why are so many “believers” content to live a life of mediocrity in Christ — a life partially devoted to following God and partially devoted to following the ways of the world? Without question, some have only put on the face of a Christian and have never given their heart to God through a saving faith in Jesus. But others are true believers in desperate need of a spiritual kick in the pants!
Paul’s letters comprise much of the New Testament. They were written to give instruction on the Christian faith and to encourage perseverance through times of testing. Paul often wrote of the simplicity of the gospel message; “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). But he also wrote to encourage those who truly put their faith in Jesus to live a life of service, holiness, and unity.
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we begin a new life. We are set free from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:22) and are called to follow Christ as we are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). But Paul saw many believers sitting on the sidelines of the Christian life; “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1).
Paul gives encouragement by “urging” a life worthy of Salvation. This has nothing to do with earning our way to Heaven; rather, we are encouraged to live in holy thankfulness for the gift we have received. The word Paul uses for urge can also be translated as beseech, beg, implore, exhort, or challenge. He’s not giving a gentle pat on the back which says, “You’re doing well, keep running a good race.” Rather, Paul is presenting a firm challenge to draw nearer to God and give our lives more fully to Him. Paul uses the same word in his letter to the Romans.
Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge {beg, implore, exhort, and challenge} you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
We have been set free and made new! We are a new creation and CANNOT continue to walk with one foot on God’s path and the other being allowed to tiptoe along worldly desires. These simply have no place in the life of a worshipper of the One True God!
Today, we are being urged (challenged) to trust God more…to talk with Him more and seek His presence more diligently…to not get pulled away by the lies of the world! We are being challenged to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).
As we face this day with its multitude of struggles…let’s live a life worthy of the calling we have received and forevermore answer the challenge! ❤️—Steve Troxel
“O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
Psalms 90:14
Psalm 90:14 is a heartfelt prayer for God’s mercy and satisfaction. Moses, the psalmist, pleads with God to fill the hearts of His people with His unfailing love early in the day so they may live with joy and gladness throughout their lives. This verse reminds us that true satisfaction does not come from earthly pursuits or temporary pleasures…but from experiencing God’s steadfast love. Only His mercy can fill the deep longing of our souls and give us lasting joy, regardless of our circumstances.
In daily life, it’s easy to chase satisfaction in the wrong places—our careers, relationships, material possessions, or achievements. Yet, these things often leave us feeling empty or striving for more. This verse calls us to start each day by seeking God’s presence…allowing His mercy to satisfy our hearts before we turn to anything else. When we begin our mornings with His love, it sets the tone for the rest of the day…enabling us to face challenges with joy and gratitude.
Today, let this prayer guide you: ask God to fill you with His love early…so your heart may be anchored in Him all day long. ❤️
Prayer:
Lord, satisfy my soul with Your unfailing love today. Teach me to seek You first, knowing that true joy and peace come from You alone. Fill my heart with Your mercy, and let it overflow into every aspect of my life. May I rejoice and be glad, trusting in Your faithfulness all my days. In Jesus’ name, Amen. —Cathy C. Charles
Worship is way more than music…worship is a lifestyle of gratitude! Let’s allow worship to be the echo that is paving the way for our lives. The only way we can do that is if we’ve seen the sacrifice of love. We know God paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. In response to that sacrifice, we can then echo back in our worship a proportionate response to what God has already done for us.
When we come to worship we are not worshiping based on the way our circumstances have played out…but instead, we are worshiping based on our view of who God is.
The enemy wants to reframe the character of God by our circumstances, and as soon as he does that our praise ends. He wants to put those circumstances in your view where all you can see is the negative instead of God.
Instead of letting our circumstances block us from God…let’s look at them through the character of God.
God knows our circumstances are not perfect. He knows we don’t have everything we need right now. But do we believe Him even though we don’t understand it all? Do we believe Him even though there is uncertainty and hardship in the equation?
Let’s step back from whatever is happening in our life and believe that God is bigger than whatever happened…and will bring us through whatever is to come! ❤️
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
A King Like No Other: “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:33
From the time of Jesus’ conception, a stream of promise began to flow: a new government is coming to the souls of men! The issue was not political, but spiritual. Jesus Himself verifies this, when he says “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). But He is King, a king like no other. Look at the descriptions of His kingly role in God’s Word:• “The King eternal” (1 Tim. 1:17)— the endlessness and unchanging durability of His rule is declared.• “A king will reign in righteousness” (Is. 32:1)— His completely just, even-handed, considerate, and life-releasing method is forecast.• “King of peace” (Heb. 7:2)— as typified in Melchizedek and fulfilled through Jesus rising to His first throne, the cross, where He secured our peace (Eph. 2:14–18).• “King of the saints” and “King of kings” (Rev. 15:3; 19:16)—forever praised as our saving King and all of history’s ultimate Ruler! Take time today to reflect on our King and give Him praise! ❤️❤️ —Jack Hayford
GOD GOES THE DISTANCE WITH YOU: Don’t ever let the enemy say that if God was really with you, then your circumstances would be different.
When the situation seems to be eroding from under our feet, the enemy always arrives with the same speech: “If God really loved you, He would do something different for you. Your circumstances would be better right now.”
NO!!
God always loves you.
God is always for you.
God always has a plan.
In whatever situation you might be facing…God is always with you. He’s with you the entire time. And this changes your outlook to know that almighty God is in every circumstance with you.
We live on a broken planet. We’re in a fight for our lives in a dying world. And we follow a Savior who was crucified in the middle of it all.
Sometimes our circumstances don’t add up to the dream we have envisioned…but that never means God isn’t with us. Look at Hebrews 13:5, just one of the places where God promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
That truth alone — God never leaves us nor forsakes us — that’s a game changer! ❤️—Louie Giglio
THE INVASION OF GOD: Some 2000 years ago a great invasion took place in a daring raid by the forces of good into this old broken world. A staggering drama was playing out…the hinge of history…the Incarnation…God putting on flesh…the cosmic redemptive plan was in motion…and it was priceless even as it was so costly.
Many couldn’t see it…after all, there wasn’t an invading army or a ticker tape parade…but a tiny baby in the arms of two rural teenagers…a Messiah from Galilee of all places…Nazareth, no less…a carpenter’s kid…some judged Him demon possessed and raving mad…His family thought He was out of His mind…religious experts tried to trap Him and kill Him BUT…those with eyes filled with wonder and humility…even today…see that first Christmas with amazement and worship for this Jesus was that one and only one Solitary Life. As Dr. James Allan Francis put it in a sermon one time…
One Solitary Life: Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself…
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched…all the navies that were ever built…all the parliaments that ever sat…and all the kings that ever reigned…put together…have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. ❤️—Michael Sprague
Perfect time for a Friday afternoon FAITH BLAST!! 2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 is one of the most profound verses in Scripture, encapsulating the heart of the gospel. It tells of a divine exchange: Jesus, who was sinless, took upon Himself the weight of our sins so that we might become the righteousness of God. This act of substitution is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and justice. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are no longer defined by our sins but by His righteousness. This is not something we earn—it is a gift of grace, freely given to all who place their faith in Him. This truth changes how we see ourselves and others. Knowing that we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness allows us to live with confidence and humility. Confidence, because we are accepted by God…and humility, because it is all His work, not ours. When guilt or shame tries to creep into our hearts, we can cling to this verse…remembering that our standing before God is secure because of Jesus. Today, let this assurance guide our actions and interactions…reflecting the grace we have received and sharing it with others. ❤️ –Cathy C. Charles Remember…… SURRENDER equals FREEDOM and… FREEDOM equals PEACE!! ❤️
PRECIOUS IN GOD’S EYES “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Revelation 3:5 I want to show you an aspect of how God sees us today through a beautiful truth about the breastplate of the high priest of ancient Israel. Today, Jesus is our High Priest, and as we examine the breastplate, we see something powerful about the way the Lord sees His people. Notice in Exodus 39:8-14, that there are twelve stones on the high priest’s breastplate, and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are engraved on the stones. For example, “Judah” is engraved on the sardius stone set in the first row, and “Gad” is engraved on the diamond set in the second row. The high priest of Israel: The names of the 12 tribes of Israel are engraved on 12 precious stones found on his breastplate. These twelve stones represent God’s people today. Notice how God depicts His people, you and me, as precious stones. He didn’t use common rocks and pebbles. He deliberately chose very costly, rare, and precious gems such as sapphire, topaz, emerald, amethyst, diamond, onyx, and jasper to represent you and me (Exod. 39:9–14). Also, of all the garments donned by the high priest, the breastplate is closest to the heart. This speaks of how much the Lord values us and His desire to keep us close to His heart. In His eyes, we are very costly, precious, and loved. Notice also that the names of the tribes of Israel were not merely written on the gems; they were engraved (Exod. 39:14). This means that once we become a believer in Jesus, our name is forever engraved in His Book of Life. If our name were only written, we might think that it could easily be erased or blotted out. But the truth is that Jesus has engraved our name on a precious stone, and He keeps it close to His heart. Can our name ever be blotted out of its place on God’s heart? Just look at what Jesus promises those who are born again: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Rev. 3:5). Through Christ Jesus, we are overcomers, and in Christ Jesus, we are eternally secure. Rest in the assurance that your name will not be blotted out from the Book of Life. It will remain engraved on stone and close to God’s heart for all eternity! ❤️ —Joseph Prince That certainly deserves a shout of praise this morning!! 🎉🎉
LOSSES: I thought of these words after attending the memorial service for a 50-year-old friend.
Let me state the obvious — something is wrong in the world. It is broken and often brutal. A world like this tries to fry our souls. Loss, disappointment, injustice, and grief can cause our hearts to ache for something to be made right.
It is easy to deny…stuff or spiritualize away our losses…but toxic stuff leaks. Right? Wouldn’t it be healthier if we could name our losses one-by-one — even the hurts we do not want to talk about? Wouldn’t it be detoxifying if the losses could be grieved as we invite God’s healing grace into those inner places that are nicked, raw, bruised and bleeding? We must practice soul care.
Can you name your losses? Loss of a job, hope, fortune, or dream? Have newsfeeds eaten at your sanity? Has your health been in jeopardy or your aging parents’ sense of well-being? Have you been distanced from those you love? Is depression stealing the you from you? Are you scrambling to keep up with a whole new world that is, or you imagine is, rapidly changing? Does it seem like things will never be the same? We need to pay attention to our souls and be filled with God.
Name your losses. Do not silence yourself. Give yourself permission to feel. Your losses matter. Invite Jesus into everything that is messy. Invite His love…His presence…and His new mercies. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak and apply His deep healing salve. Invite Him into the inside. He is eager to come!
Do not neglect the hidden parts of your soul and your ungrieved griefs. You have two options…to come closer to God or move away from Him! ❤️
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. ”Psalm 30:5b —Michael Sprague
This message remains relevant for us today. It reminds us of the power and faithfulness of God in our own lives.
It encourages us to let go of the past…embrace the new things that God is doing…and trust in His ability to bring about positive change.
He is capable of making a way where there seems to be no way.
Trust in Him, faithfully pray and take the right actions. He will guide and show the way.
He can bring about new beginnings and fresh starts.
The question is…do you know God’s character?
He is loving, gracious and just. God knows exactly what He is doing! ❤️ —Liz Nova