Pastor's Points

"Patience is a Virtue" you've heard it said and it's one most of us neglect to seek. Patience is really a prime element of successful living. Good parents are patient parents, good cooks are patient, good teachers are patient, good fishermen are patient, good workers are patient and good Christians are patient. These persons know sometimes you just have to wait for the right moment for the elements of success to assemble themselves. Into each life trails will come but if we learn to wait and trust in God's Provision and Wisdom by faith our lives will be enriched with growth and knowledge. 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  James 1:1-4 (NKJV)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) Testimonials, promoting something beneficial to or for you don't just happen in church. Every TV ad, radio commercial and newspaper ad is aimed at getting your attention and convincing you to make a purchase or subscribe to something new. That is the way of commerce and we accept it as a part of living. Some testimonials you can believe, but remember most are aimed at profiting the one doing the promoting. Christians, the Church are also involved in promoting something they believe will serve to better you; the Gospel of Christ! Through the ages God has pro

It would be an understatement to say that everyone has things in their lives that one way or another "get away from us" or "get out of control" or otherwise become unmanageable. Rarely it is because of misfortune or accident but due to inattention on our part. When parents neglect children they get out of control, when we neglect our health it gets out of control, when we neglect our souls and live by not feeding them God's Word; they to get out of control. The Apostle Paul cautions us to pay "earnest heed" to what is contained in God's Word that we may avoid from drifting away from the truth. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away." Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV)

"Steady as she goes" was a command given on an old television show about a submarine involved in may adventures. When all was finally calm the Captain issued the order. Compliance required a sense of direction, focus and ability. Ships are equipped with a compass so the helmsman knows which direction he must steer. He must focus on his course so he does not deviate and steer off course. Drifting off course could be disastrous for ship and crew. Here God instructs to pay keen attention to His teaching lest we drift off the course He has plotted for us. Steering off course in life can also have disastrous consequences. 1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.  Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV)

The Church, the "Body of Christ" is unique in that it possesses the knowledge of God and His will for mankind. By this definition it must stand as a shining example of all that God expects of His people. Among us, such things as racial and ethnic discrimination and social-economic bias, should not be named much less practiced. When people who may be somewhat "different" come to our church; are they all made to feel welcome? Do you make every effort to ensure they are? The Gospel is for ALL persons regardless of skin color, ethnicity, social/economic class, education and etc... I believe that God's idea of His church is one that is best described as "diversified", a blend of all peoples. Remember that little chorus: "red and yellow, black and white; all are precious in His sight"? 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. James 2:1 (NKJV)

Ever hear of O. J. T.? It's an acronym for "On The Job Training" which everyone who has held a job has gone through. In O. J. T. we learn by imitating or mimicking actions to accomplish tasks as someone else shows us. We "learn" to either do evil or good by imitating others.Only one of these; that which good; has God's approval. Guess which one would be wise for you to master. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11 (NKJV)