Pastor's Points

It has been said that in the heart of man is a God shaped void which can only be filled by the presence of God. Mankind has a hunger and thirst for the fulfillment only God can bring but sadly we seek to feed the hunger and quench the thirst with worldly things. God knows what we have need of and has written us a guide to discover how to have fullness of joy and peace. Read your Bible. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  1 John 1:4 (NKJV)

"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)

11  For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12  not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous.  1 John 3:11-12 (NKJV) The gospel like its author does not change. From beginning to end God commands us to love one another for this His Will, His Plan and His Expectation of those who would follow Him. We're not to be as Cain who murdered his brother simply because Abel's sacrifice had been rejected and his rejected. Lies, gossip and rumors can destroy a person's life without taking their lives. God's Will and Law are fulfilled in love.

Life is not really as complicated as we humans make it out to be. In fact life becomes complicated when we choose to live it outside of God's instruction. Keeping life simple makes for a happier, wholesome and joyful existence. When we say "it's complicated" about something in our lives what we're really saying is "I'm out of God's Will for the time being." Listen to David's prayer.... "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:11-14 (KJV)

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto to LORD. Psalm 27;4-6 (KJV) How close do you walk with the Lord and do you desire his fellowship. Coming to Jesus for salvation established a relationship between you and God which will culminate in Heaven but until then we're to walk with Him. Living in the "house of the LORD' as David sang is not about sitting inside the church building daily; it's about living in continual contact with God! It is while living in Christ that we experience true joy, love an

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (KJV) The knowledge of God and His will dispels fear, any fear. We are finite beings who will experience this life but once. We're subject to influences both positive and negative during our sojourn and this fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. Knowledge of God's will, faith in His protection and provision can allay our fears. Trusting in God removes the doubts that can rob us of joy and victory. Trust in he Lord today!

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:2 (NKJV) Sheep will not seek plush green fields of grass on their own nor will they drink from running noisy brooks or creeks. Without a shepherd they could starve within eyesight of food. Their fear of water is based on the danger their heavy wool coats becoming waterlogged and causing them to sink and drown. The Good Shepherd is always careful to provide them food and water according to their needs.

Ever wonder why moths circle light bulbs? Moths, and other animals and insects use lights, both natural and artificial as fixed points for guidance in flight. For instance, keeping the son on your left side during the morning and right side in the afternoon enables you to travel south without roads to follow. The problem with lightbulbs that they are not far off points and the moths using the above principle wind up flying in circles around the bulb. Their confusion is induced by a poor choice of waypoints. Having unchanging fixed waypoints to keep us on track is one of the reasons Jesus commanded us to keep the commandments, read the scriptures and pray. This Sunday we observe the Lord's Supper which serves to remind us of the price of our salvation that we may stay focused on whose we are. 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is MY body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Luke 22:19 (NKJV)

27 When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" 28 And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." Matthew 9:27-30 (NKJV) Faith is trust and confidence; in our case it is trust and confidence in God. Jesus said that if we asked for anything believing (exercising faith) we would receive it. Receiving or not receiving is totally dependent on our measure of faith. How does your faith compare to the faith of two men who came to Jesus for healing.

"Fishers of men" is what Jesus told brothers Peter and Andrew He would make of them if they would follow Him. ("Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) God has a life purpose for everyone yet one purpose all believers have in common is that we are to be fishers of men. Jesus makes this abundantly clear in the Great Commission. To be fishers is not a suggestion but a commandment. If you follow Jesus leading men to Christ will become second nature.

What is it that would really make your life ideal? More wealth? Better Health? More knowledge? More what???? It seems mankind attempts to achieve fullness of life by getting things without considering what things are truly of great worth. Solomon, the world's wisest man, sought only to be upright before God and to possess only the things he really needed. This seemingly "simple life" he understood would bring him the riches of life. Peace, sufficiency, family, friends and security. True worth is not measured by what we have but by how we manage it. 7 Two things I request of you (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give neither poverty nor riches--Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9 (NKJV)