Pastor's Points

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.