Pastor's Blog
Facing Today's Challenges
James 1 challenges followers of Jesus to persevere through life's challenges with joy, faith, and wisdom. It is typical for followers of Jesus to face trials of many kinds. God is working on our behalf to grow and mature us. As we deal with these issues, we are admonished to ask God for wisdom.
Later in James' letter, he emphasizes the impact of persistent prayer and group prayer. It is possible for the strongest believer to feel overwhelmed at times. But God is our strength. Jesus told his disciples, "abide in me." Stay connected to me like branches are connected to the main vine and receive nutrition from the sap. The Jesus also said it was very important that His words abide in us. We are continually dependent on Him for life and vitality.
We also need each other. Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us that we are to encourage each other. To successfully gain strength for today's challenges, we need to fellowship with other believers. We are fellow pilgrims on life's journey to glorify God and be with Him forever. We are not alone. We are part of God's Forever Family and a chapter meets in your neighborhood.
What Easter Means to Me
The big day known as Easter came and went. What does Easter mean to you? Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. To me, it is in the words of artist Aaron Schust, "my Savior loves, my Savior lives, my Savior's always there for me..." Jesus rose from the dead and He is alive today wanting intimate communication with us daily. He wants to be our shepherd guiding us step by step through life. He wants to be our Lord, helping us overcome our innate selfishness. He wants to be our Savior, rescuing us from our evil deeds and thoughts. He loves us and his Spirit lives within us, giving us energy to shine for His glory.
Wisdom From Romans
For the past several months, we have been learning from Paul's letter to the Roman believers. The theme of the letter is expressed in Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who beleives: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." NIV
Each chapter introduced a challenging topic for Christian faith and living. The conclusion is coming this Sunday based on Romans 16:25, "Now to him who is able to establish youby my Gospel...to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
We Have So Much To Be Thankful For
The Bible admonishes us to give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will in Christ concerning you. As we near this Thanksgiving Holiday, we must remember that God has given us life. We have breath and so we need to praise the Lord. We have the message of Jesus Christ and He offers salvation to all who believe and receive HIm. We have His presence with us at all times. Even in the uncertain world we live in, God's promises are certain and He is realiable and faithful. Let's give thanks.
God My Rock
Psalm 28:1 reads, "To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me." Psalm 27:1 reads, "The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom whall I be afraid?" These powerful words remind us that God is our Rock and strength. He is unchanging. He is stronger than our needs and challenges.
We are to call out to Him with our desires, needs, and requests. He hears, he loves and he answers.
God Leads Us Along
The old hymn says, "God leads his dear children along. Some thro' the waters, some thro' the flood, some thro' the fire but all thro' the blood; some thro' great sorrow, but God gives a song; in the night season and all the day long."
Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd." God wants to lead us along like a shepherd. He leads in paths of his own choosing. Some are easy and some are hard. But God is faithful. He will work together all things for our good. We are to listen and follow and trust.
Press Toward the Goal
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13 & 14, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.." God has called each of us to follow Christ and be faithful and shine as lights in a dark world. But there are obstacles and troubles that can get us discouraged. God wants us to press on toward the goal. Even in summer, in rain and floods, or in economic difficulty, God is faithful and we must also press on.
New Beginnings
The recent ministry by the Milwaukee Teen Challenge Women's Choir and our water baptisms on the Sunday before that reminds me of the heart of God to bring back the prodigal and give new life to the dead heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "If anyone is in Christ; he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
One of the first parts of a new beginning is to realize our own sinfulness and need of a Savior...Jesus Christ. This can be a long journey. We try to fix ourselves but fail. Jesus, the sinless one, died for us who sin. By believing, we have life in his name. We place our trust in Him and what he did on Golgotha's cross for us. It is not by our own works.
God desires to change us by His Spirit. He desires to make us new. Romans 6:4 says, "...just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the "Father, we too may live a new life." We must surrender to Him and receive His Spirit. There is no sin He cannot forgive. He can pick up the peices and give you a new start.
Resources & Information
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The Significance of A Sacrifice
The New Testament book of Matthew, chapter 27 verse 46 reveals some powerful truths for us to reflect on. -
Coffee Cup Evangelism
It's nice to know that "sharing your faith" can be as simple as talking with others over a cup of coffee.
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Lost At Sea
Divine appointments are often the difference between being found - or lost at sea. Take a second to read just how important each one of us is in the Kingdom of God and the divine appointments that just might be heading your way.
