From the Pastor's desk...

Has God revealed Himself to you recently?   A few days ago my attitude needed to be “adjusted.”  While I was driving I was becoming “overly concerned”  about several issues and was wondering to myself how and when those issues would get resolved.

As I pulled away from a stop sign, I noticed a wild turkey emerging from the woods.  I applied the brakes and focused on that turkey.  Following behind that turkey were seven very young turkeys. Those young turkeys safely crossed the road behind their mother.  Immediately I became convicted.  I was reminded of the words of Jesus. “Why do you worry? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

My attitude quickly changed.  As I continued on my way,  I began to thank God for His Word and by faith thanked Him for the resolutions to the issues I had been “overly concerned”   about.

The presence of God surrounds us all.  If we look for Him, we will see Him.

August 24, 2018

I’ve had the privilege of officiating at many wedding ceremonies during my thirty years of Pastoral ministry. That is a Pastoral responsibility that can be very rewarding to me.  It is a joy to witness a couple mature in their relationship with God and with each other. A wedding service is not only a legal ceremony, it is a spiritual one as well.  It is also a time of worship.

The first institution created by God was the home. The home was sanctified by God, honored by Jesus Christ and is to be respected by men and women.  Of all the institutions on earth, there is none so important as the home. As the home goes, so goes the church and all of society.  America’s greatest problem today is not a drug problem or a violence problem.  America’s biggest problem today is the breakdown and lack of Christian homes.

There are three basic biblical truths about Christian marriage:

• Husbands and wives are first subject to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then mutually subject to one another.
• The husband is to be the spiritual leader of the home in the same way that Christ is the leader of the church.

1. Loving
2. Sacrificial
3. Caring
4. Responsible
5. Committed and Consistent

• It is the desire of God’s heart to do whatever it takes to keep the marriage together, and for each couple to experience His love through the other.

Were you ever caught unprepared for something?  That is a terrible feeling, isn’t it?  I’ve learned the hard way that it always pays huge dividends to be prepared.

Noah worked a very long time to “prepare”  the Ark that God had instructed him to build.  Noah was to cover the ark with pitch (Genesis 6:14).  The Greek word for pitch is kaphar which means, “atonement.” I’m sure Noah was mocked and ridiculed very much by neighbors and acquaintances as the months and years passed by.  However, just as God had said, the rains did eventually arrive and those who were once mocking Noah now wanted him to open the door to let them in. However, Noah did not have the authority to open the door.

Jesus told us that as it was in Noah’s day, so shall it be prior to His return (Matthew 24:7).  Friends, we are living in those days now.  The Lord Jesus will return for His church soon, just as He said.  How do we become prepared for Jesus’ return?  “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:10,11).

 Noah’s ark is a type or symbol of the church.  Are you really prepared for Jesus’ return?  Are you encouraging others to be prepared?  Now is the time to prepare.  Just as the rain fell in Noah’s day,  Jesus is returning for His church.   May we all be prepared!

July 16, 2018

“Wait for the Lord; be of good courage, be strong and take heart and wait, I say, for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

David encourages us to “wait on the lord and to be of good courage.”  That word wait means “to bind together, to expect.”  When we are bound together with the Lord we will be courageous in the difficult times  and expectantly watch for God’s hand to move.

Every child of God faces difficulties from time to time. Sometimes, when we’re living through difficult days, it seems as though they will never end.  The Lord Jesus warned us that we would experience difficult days.  “In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Have you ever noticed why many of God’s people mentioned in the Bible are remembered so well? When you think of David, what comes to your mind?  Probably Goliath, correct?   When you think of Daniel, what comes to your mind? Probably the lions’ den, right?  In the midst of great difficulty these and others received strength and courage through their relationship with God.  You and I can do the same.

We also can be victorious in life through an intimate relationship with Jesus. He will strengthen our hearts. May we be people of great courage, and may our faith in God conquer our fears.

July 11, 2018

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments,”  (Psalm 111:10).

I saw a bumper sticker recently that read, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

I believe most of us can relate to that comment.  God’s Word states that His people perish or suffer from the lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).  In that same passage God says,  “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me.”

The Bible also states in Daniel 12:4 that in the last day man’s “knowledge” would increase.  Just think of how much knowledge mankind has gained just over the last 50 years.  But are we really coming to the knowledge of the truth?  Have we really learned that God can be trusted and that He will never leave us and that He will always be faithful to His children?  Are we understanding the meaning and purpose of life?

Someone once said, “There are ten things I wish I had learned before I was twenty-one.”

• That being a Christian is really important.
• That my life’s vocation would be what it is.
• That my health after 30 would depend to a great degree on what I ate before I was 21.
• That I really am a trustee of my money and possessions.
• That being neatly and sensibly dressed is an asset.
• That habits are difficult to break after you turn 21.
• That worthwhile things require time, patience and work.
• That the world gives a person just about what he deserves.
• That a thorough education brings not only better wages, but the best of everything.
• That absolute truthfulness in everything is invaluable.
• And one more extra thought:  That my parents weren’t “Old Fogies”  after all.

July 2, 2018

What a week we experienced at Vacation Bible School this year!  Every helper and teacher certainly witnessed and experienced the powerful presence of God.  I thank and praise God for the great team of adults and youth who were so very faithful and committed to the ministry of V.B.S.

One of the highlights for me happened Friday at Camp Harmony.  I had the opportunity to speak with the older group of V.B.S. students about the plan of salvation. They were very attentive.  Another highlight for me was during the Sunday morning worship service at Maple Spring following the week of V.B.S.   Many of the V.B.S. students sang some of the songs they learned during the week. They sang with joy and excitement!

I heard many positive comments about V.B.S. this year from parents and other family members.  The presence of God was certainly evident every day.

I want to thank you for your prayers and support. I pray that you will also sense the presence of God with you this day.

June 25, 2018

“The church without power is a factory for hypocrites,”………..Samuel M. Shoemaker

Wow!  What a powerful presence of God we experienced yesterday during the 10:35 service at Maple Spring.   The consecration service for all the VBS teachers and helpers this week, the receiving & welcoming of eight new members, the water baptism service of three young adults, the special music, “The Potter’s Hand,” and certainly the Holy Spirit spoke to each of us during the preached word, “Membership Matters.”

It’s very exciting to be a part of the church of Jesus Christ.

The Word of God reads,  “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

(Romans 8:11).

Many find it easier to go to church than to be the church.  What about you?  Do you know and experience the resurrection of Christ in your life?  Do you know what gifts and talents God has given to you?  If you do know, are you actively involved and using them in the life and ministry of your local church?

Be a part of what God is doing in the earth today.  Help fulfill the Great Commission.  You will be glad that you did!

June 18 , 2018

“This, then, is how you should pray:  ‘Our Father in Heaven’……..” Jesus Christ

“It is sobering to recall that fathers bear the title that God Himself has chosen as a picture of His relationship to His people,”…………Dr.  Billy Graham

Our Loving God is not, “the man upstairs,”  or “the big guy in the sky,”   He is our Heavenly Father.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning,”  (James 1:17).

No matter what your experience or relationship has been like with your earthly father, you can rejoice in the truth today that our Heavenly Father is watching out for you. He sits real high, but He looks real low.

“His eye is on the sparrow and I know He’s watching me.”

Recently I heard a small child ask, “Who made God?”  “Where did He come from?”  An adult answered her, “No one made God, He always has existed.”  We all know that answer is correct but it takes child like faith to believe and accept that, doesn’t it?  He has originated and established wonderful blessings and gifts for you and me.

I don’t know what trial, question or fear you are facing today, but I do know that you and I can place our trust in our Heavenly Father,  He will provide for you and protect you as you continue to trust in Him.

Have child like faith in Him. You will be glad that you did.

June 11, 2018

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments,”  (Psalm 111:10).

I saw a bumper sticker recently that read, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

I believe most of us can relate to that comment.  God’s Word states that His people perish or suffer from the lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).  In that same passage God says,  “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me.”

 The Bible also states in Daniel 12:4 that in the last day man’s “knowledge” would increase.  Just think of how much knowledge mankind has gained just over the last 50 years.  But are we really coming to the knowledge of the truth?  Have we really learned that God can be trusted and that He will never leave us and that He will always be faithful to His children?  Are we understanding the meaning and purpose of life?

Someone once said, “There are ten things I wish I had learned before I was twenty-one.”

• That being a Christian is really important.
• That my life’s vocation would be what it is.
• That my health after 30 would depend to a great degree on what I ate before I was 21.
• That I really am a trustee of my money and possessions.
• That being neatly and sensibly dressed is an asset.
• That habits are difficult to break after you turn 21.
• That worthwhile things require time, patience and work.
• That the world gives a person just about what he deserves.
• That a thorough education brings not only better wages, but the best of everything.
• That absolute truthfulness in everything is invaluable.
• And one more extra thought:  That my parents weren’t “Old Fogies”  after all.

June 4, 2018

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,”  (I Thessalonians 5:18).

As I purchased some groceries a few days ago, the cashier said to me, “That will be $37.25  please.”  I replied, “You don’t hear that word (please) too often anymore.”   She replied, “You’re right. And you don’t hear “thank you” too often either.”

It is God’s will or desire for you and me to be thankful to Him.  Even in the midst of changing and difficult circumstances, we can find reasons  to thank God. As I was waiting for my lunch recently, I noticed that three of the six people at a nearby table had some kind of physical ailment.  One person was on oxygen, one had to use crutches, and another had to wear special hearing devices.  I thanked God for my health as I was waiting for my order.

So many times we all go to God with a list of our needs and concerns.  There’s nothing really wrong with that.  We are to pray for one another  (James 5:16).  However, our Heavenly Father already knows about our needs.   His desire is to have intimate fellowship with us through prayer.

I don’t know what problems you are facing today.  We all have them.  But as you deal with your problems, take some time to pause and thank God for His blessings in your life. It could very well be that as you are still before God that He will lead you to the answers to your problems today.