Trusting in the Lord

August 2021

Message from Pastor Tom:

I find that after staring at a computer all day or working out in the heat, a visit to the beach sounds so inviting. Especially on those hot August nights where you can find yourself drifting from your duties and responsibilities, or possibly not recognizing the need to trust in the Lord. The best advice I can give is we need to get back into Gods Word, Gods Church, and be with God’s people. Through our Lord and Savior’s embrace, we will discover true comfort, guidance, and direction.

Now this sounds easy, but how many will follow this advice? To be honest, probably not many. Being a Christian or not, most will go on drifting throughout their life not knowing their purpose or the plan God intended for them. I find most will think they are doing just fine, but in reality, they are not. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (KJV). This is my favorite Scripture in Proverbs, which tells us if we trust God completely, He will guide us. Yet, we will never know this if we do not get back into Gods Word, visit our places of worship, or share God’s truth with fellow Christians and the lost. By having Faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, it will improve your comfort and happiness, even during stressful and devastating difficulties. Having Faith is what helps us trust God in good or difficult times, especially like now with the Covid pandemic, and still find the peace only God can provide in all situations. 

I know all Christians have a testimony about the existence of God in their lives. Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior will change us. The power of God in our life, as witnessed by us, is our gospel and no different from those of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. It does not matter whether you had to drop to rock bottom, or if it was a gradual awakening. The story of how we came to know and accept Jesus does not have to be dramatic and earthshaking. It is the fact we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, confessed and turned from our sins and are willing to trust, and dedicate our lives to being faithful and obedient servants of Christ. It is when doing His will, we can experience the earthshaking part of our journey within the plan He has for us. 

This is when the excitement really begins, as it tells us in Luke 15:10, “In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” So for some, the testimony may not be in how we came to know Christ, but how we are changed because we do. For when we live joyfully in service to God, in a manner that brings Him glory and honor, we are indeed telling a story for all to witness firsthand. Just by sharing your story, they will see your trust in the Lord by His light that will be shining from each of us. 

Heidi and I ask you to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those racially and spiritually persecuted worldwide. Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you. 

Blessings from a pastor and his wife. 

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7

Freedom in Christ

July 2020

Message from Pastor Tom:

Our 4^th of July marks an extremely important holiday, as it is the day the United States declared independence from the British. We, as Americans associate this day with the beginning of the nation's true freedom. Freedom is also an important theme in the Bible. For many Christians the 4^th of July and the Bible go hand in hand.

What I mean by this is the Freedom you will experience after God has acted to remove all obstacles once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He will open your eyes, whether social, spiritual (sin and death), economic, as well recognizing what is blocking your creational purpose. A Christian’s purpose is to know, love, worship, and enjoy God forever. This freedom has been won for us by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christian’s seek to live this freedom and to join with God in freeing others through proclaiming the Truth with His Good Word, while we await freedom’s full realization at Christ’s second coming, as found in Romans 8:1–39.

Let us look at Job, he knew the truth but that did not stop his own family and friends telling him falsehoods and trying to have him act out against God. This world tries to lead us astray every minute of the day. Add the devil into the mix and we are bound to struggle for the truth, let alone hear the truth of God when spoken. The Bible makes it clear we do not determine truth, but rather we discover truth. We have the free will to ignore truth if we wish, but when we do, we risk our own eternal salvation and our walk with God.

The Bible is truth that is absolute and constant despite some people’s feelings and beliefs. You must accept the Bible by faith on your knees, and not question the truth. I could read you Scripture all day, tell you truths of the Bible as Apostle Paul has done. Yet if you do not pick up that Bible yourself and read the words, let God and the Holy Spirit speak to you personally, you will never know the absolute truth or have the Salvation God so desperately wants for you. I know we are all imperfect people. God is our perfect and loving heavenly Father, who only wants the absolute best for His children. He desires for us to grow spiritually mature, becoming more and more like Jesus Christ who is the definition of perfection. Are you ready for the Truth? God is waiting.

Heidi and I ask you to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those racially and spiritually persecuted worldwide. Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you. Please be safe and have a wonderful 4^th of July holiday.

Remember our Lord and Savior’s Saving Grace frees us from our sins and gives us eternal life. You only need to accept His gift of Grace.

Blessings from a pastor and his wife.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

Faith in the Lord

 

June 2021

Message from Pastor Tom:

In past blogs, I spoke of leaving all your trials and tribulations at the foot of the cross, as well as having Hope in all things through Jesus Christ. I truly believe when this life is through, it will all come down to having Faith. Saving faith grows by believing in God’s Word through Scripture. The more we read, the more we trust, and in turn, we experience His Peace and Hope in all things. 

Maybe today you are feeling anxious, worried, and maybe even a little afraid. The Bible tells us to, “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV). We need to have Faith in the Lord, stop worrying and let God assume the responsibility for our welfare. We have all had the experience of someone letting us down, or disappointing us in some way, but Jesus Christ never will. Having faith in Jesus Christ ensures you can trust Him to take care of you no matter what. Therefore, we need to keep our eyes on the cross and look to Jesus for all things large or small. If you keep your eyes on the Father, He will direct your steps. We must turn our eyes away from worthless things, and set our gaze upon Jesus.

My own personal Faith experience was severely tested with my past throat cancer. The ensuing chemotherapy along with the radiation treatments brought me closer to God in ways I never thought possible. Yes, I was terrified when I first heard the diagnosis, and I was worried about the outcome. Nevertheless, it was my Faith in Jesus that kept me going and trusting in His Word.  The entire experience opened new perspectives in my faith and plans for my continuing ministry. I never thought I could ever thank God for a diagnosis of cancer, yet without the experience I may never have reached this level of closeness to God. He truly has turned the ordinary into the extraordinary, giving me many opportunities to share my experiences with others and witnessing to God’s amazing grace. I have changed personally, giving all Glory to God, as He is the ultimate healer, knowing He walks with the doctor’s as well. The devil throws all types of pain and sickness into our path that can only lead us to personal destruction if we let it. Our faith in Christ can overcome these times of trial and make us stronger than we could ever imagine.

As always, Heidi and I pray this devotion touches your heart and gives you Hope in all things, leading you to a stronger Faith in Christ. That you too will find your own “cross” to remind you to place all your anxiety at its foot, giving them over to Jesus who is better equipped to take care of them and give us Hope. We also ask you continue to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those who are persecuted racially and spiritually worldwide.  

Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you always. 

Blessings from a pastor and his wife.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. Hebrews 11:1–2

Hope in The Cross

May 2021

Can you believe it is May already, and now I’m even running late posting this month’s blog? Things are moving much too quickly. It feels like we just had Christmas, and here it is spring with Memorial Day right around the corner. 

Last month I told you about the cross I pass on the way to work every day and how seeing it helps me remember to leave my troubles at the base of it, as Jesus is so much better at taking care of things than we are. Now however, I want to expand on the cross by which Jesus gave His life for us. It is through that wonderful single act of love on the cross that gives us Hope in this life. That one single act of unconditional love, given to us by the Father and Son, is why we just celebrated Easter last month in remembrance of this very sacrifice by Jesus.

We need to recognize the hope God provides for us in the midst of not only the challenges we face each day, but also in the most routine part of our everyday lives. I totally understand with the worldwide pandemic we face, the nation of unrest, the seemingly never ending natural disasters lately, that ever growing list of things to do for our families, the pressures of work or unemployment, have all left many of us feeling there is no Hope. We feel completely overwhelmed, as life seems to be spiraling out of control all around us. But wait, stop trying to be in control. Just set your to-do list down, shut off the computer, put down your phone, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths… no… several really deep calming breaths. Then just say a five-letter name: Jesus, repeat again, Jesus. Just by doing this, you will recognize God is at work in the midst of life’s challenges, and also in the normal part of our lives. 

I know it can feel a bit like a train chugging along a track heading right into a dark tunnel. I don't know what's in there, but I have to keep going on this track because life demands it. I'm scared, but have no option, I hope there is light at the end, I hope it works out? As Christians, we can know there is light at the end of the tunnel because God assures us there is. His assuredness gives me peace and hope in all challenges. You might ask how you can have this same Hope and Peace. I will tell you in one word “FAITH.” You cannot be given a more practical or necessary Hope than when you place your FAITH in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive His Peace. Sin had so wrecked humanity we were all under the wrath of God and in desperate need of forgiveness and deliverance from our guilt, shame, and fleshly behaviors. We had emotional needs, material needs, and all manner of brokenness. So God the Father sent His only begotten Son into our lives. He knew no other gift could ever provide for our needs or fulfill our longings as completely as Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ “is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.” If we want to increase our trust in God, we must fill our minds with the truth of Scripture, remember our Father’s faithfulness to us in the past, and look for His hand working in our present situation. When our minds are renewed, our faith will be also.

Heidi and I pray as always this devotion touches your heart and gives you Hope in all things. That you too will find your own “cross” to remind you to place all the problems you bare at its foot, giving them over to Jesus who is better equipped to take care of them and give us Hope. We also ask you continue to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those who are persecuted racially and spiritually worldwide. 

Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you always. 

Blessings from a pastor and his wife.

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Defeating Death

 

April 2021

Message from Pastor Tom:

I found myself sitting here only a week before Easter, when my thoughts leapt to remembering Easter from long ago, praising Jesus and looking forward to the day when I get to see Jesus face to face. How blessed we are through His death and resurrection, Jesus defeated death for the last time. This made a way for all who believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior, to live in paradise right alongside Him. Hallelujah! He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!

I feel blessed every day I travel to work when I pass this old grain silo beside the freeway with a giant lit up cross on its side. You used to be able to see the cross a mile away, but with all the growth these passing years and the trees getting much taller, it has become visible only when you get real close to it now. I always hope no large trucks are beside me to obscure my view, but even when it does happen, I take comfort in knowing it’s there. You see, I try to leave all my troubles at the base of the cross every day, and this cross helps to remind me to do just that. We all need to have our hearts become more like Jesus so we can find the peace and understanding He so wants us to have. 

Jesus spent years loving, teaching and equipping His disciples and when the time was right, He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). As Christians, we are taught our life begins anew when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We must let go of ourselves in order to become more like Christ, living a life that brings glory to God. Our mission as Christians is to fulfill God’s plan of bringing the Truth to all the people of the world no matter where they might be.

The disciples of Jesus’ time learned about what was happening, as well as the deeper meaning and the consequences of those events, as they shared their doubts, questions, and concerns with Him. We need only do the same to fulfill God’s mission joyfully, by opening ourselves up and enabling God to work through us as we share this Good News where there is the greatest need without fear of persecution or crossing cultural and racial barriers. The Holy Spirit will be our guide and constant companion and lead us wherever we need to go. 

As a Christian, it is my heart and my soul’s eternal life at stake. I need to trust God and obey everything He has commands me to do. I believe it is imperative to develop my mind as well as my thoughts to grow intellectually in Christ, thus surrendering and devoting my mind to Him. This enables me to become one of the Lords apostles, a servant of God, going out into the world and making disciples.

Heidi and I pray this devotion touches your heart in some fashion during this Easter season. That you too will find your own “cross” to remind you to place all the problems you bare at the foot of the cross, giving them over to Jesus who is better equipped to take care of them for us. We also ask you continue to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those who are persecuted racially and spiritually worldwide. 

Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you always. Have a very blessed Easter.

Blessings from a pastor and his wife.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

Sharing the Good News

March 2021

Message from Pastor Tom:

In bringing you this month's blog, I came across a photograph by Dan Miller, which was taken in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Indian Legend states, Once upon a time there was a great flood, which covered all but the top of Manitou's Mountain. When the water subsided, the Great Spirit turned the floating carcasses of the drowned animals into sandstone, and rolled them down into a garden valley below where they remained as mute evidences of the Great Flood. 

In the picture Pikes Peak is the snow capped mountain, but below the peaks is where we see the site of that supernatural catastrophe, which can still be seen today. In this special valley you'll discover rock formations with names like: Balanced Rock, Cathedral Spires and the Kissing Camels, and it is known as the Garden of the Gods. I was able to visit this magnificent area when I was a child living in Colorado, and then again fifty years later. While I was astonished how drastically the surrounding areas had changed, I was pleasantly surprised and still in awe of the unchanged beauty and history of the Garden.

The Indian lore surrounding this magnificent place was a source of fascination to me. The Southern Ute Indian tribe native to the area considers it to be the Garden of Eden. They believe the creation of their people occurred at this sacred place. The Great White Mountain (Pikes Peak) was the center of their world. They believed on the summit of this thunderous peak stood the Western Gates of Heaven and there dwelt the supreme Manitou, (meaning in Native theology, “spiritual and fundamental life force, omnipresent”). The holy garden pictured above inspired reverence and the Ute's formed a spiritual connection with the reddish, sandstone formations. While the legends of the Garden of the Gods is interesting, my Christian belief that God is the Creator of all things, the Garden brings to mind the passage in Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns” (NLT).

So I ask you this, are you bringing the Good News from "your" mountaintop? Are you living in peace with the Lord and reigning under His salvation? We are all God’s messengers, and we should have the love and beauty for Jesus Christ in our hearts much the same as the magnificent beauty we see in the Garden of the Gods. Our lives may drastically change from one season to the next, much like the area surrounding the Gardens as I spoke of earlier, but our hearts over time must stay the same for Jesus Christ as the day we first believed. We should be obedient and share the Good News as Jesus commanded; yet I think it also goes much deeper than mere obedience. As a Christian we should only want to do that which honors God and brings Him glory. We cannot help but to respond with loving obedience, but this is a direct result of our encounter with Christ.  

Jesus is the most perfect example of an evangelist, who for the time He walked upon this Earth with twelve handpicked Disciples, demonstrated He was into quality rather than quantity. He was dedicated to living with His Disciples and teaching them by His own example. Jesus ministered to the very souls of His Disciples so they could mature in their faith and become as much like Him as possible. Jesus made sure they were equipped to bring the Gospel of Christ to life for all eternity. After His resurrection He gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:12-20), which was no more than what He had already accomplished with His Disciples by equipping them to share the Good News with everyone. Therefore, the Great Commission fits the category of evangelism. 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV).

Heidi and I continue to ask you join us in praying for peace throughout our country, wisdom for our leaders, and compassion for all those who are persecuted racially and spiritually worldwide. Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you always.

Blessings from a pastor and his wife.

God's Love

 

February 2021

Message from Pastor Tom:

By now, you are all probably aware I am a little late getting this month’s blog out. Most of us also know Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, and as legend holds means six additional weeks of winter coats and chilly weather. In addition, we also know whatever the weather future may be, February is known as the month for love.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. With this pandemic, what can we do to show our loved ones how much we care?? I know some of you are bitter and becoming covid-19 fatigued. Some may even think Valentine’s Day is just another excuse to sell Hallmark cards, chocolates and marked up flower, but is there really anything wrong with setting aside a special day to celebrate love?

I firmly believe every day should be a special day for loving. Loving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our family and friends, and yes the ones who are also hard to love. I know I struggle with the last one too and always ask myself what Jesus would do. The answer is simple and never changes, love them just how Jesus first loved us. 1 John 4:19 states, “We love, because He first loved us” (NIV). What greater motivation could we have than to live our lives with a single-minded devotion to Love, and honor with God who makes us clean with our every thought, action, or deed? A God whose love has proven to be unconditional, unlimited and complete.

Remember this; life is our journey we experience only between birth and physical death. We must forever strive for our blessed life to reach entire sanctification with perfect love for God, as well as all humankind. The Holy Spirit indwelled within each believer gives us a spiritual resurrection allowing us to live a holy life while in our physical bodies. It is because we are still living in the flesh we will be tempted, just as Jesus Christ, as fully man was tempted, but because He was also fully God, Jesus never gave in to temptation and sin.

While it is possible we can overcome the power of sin through entire sanctification, even with perfect love, a life of holiness where we have achieved entire sanctification will not mean we are perfect. Our journey to perfection is a never-ending work in progress. We must aggressively strive for perfection with discipline and repeated acts of consecration. When we achieve entire sanctification, we can overcome the ability to sin with the help of the Holy Spirit who makes it possible for us to conquer our natural sinful nature and willingly choose not to give in to our sinful nature. What a way to celebrate love, by showing God our spiritual dedication. Shouldn’t you not want to do everything you can to be ready for the moment you finally realize what it is to be clean of sin, and see the radiant glory of the God who died to make you pure?

Heidi and I continue to ask you to join us in praying for peace for our country, our leaders and those who are persecuted racially and spiritually worldwide. Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you always. Happy St Valentine’s Day.

Blessings from a pastor and his wife

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8