Left Undone

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” September 18, 2018

Good morning everyone,

It is important to be faithful in completing what is started. How many projects in your life are half done,
or are still in the process of being finished after several years in your life? This happens for several reasons: lack
of priority, inefficient planning and estimation of resources, poor time management, or simply giving up on it
because of frustration. These are things that are common for nearly everyone at least at one point in a lifetime.
The greatest travesties are when they are failures to follow through with the commandments of God.
The Israelites found out the cost of not following through with what God commanded. “Then the Angel
of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of
which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you. And you shall make no
covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice.
Why have you done this? Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns
in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’” So it was, when the Angel of the Lord spoke these words
to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept (Judges 2:1-4, NKJV, emphasis
added).

Addressing problems in life can be difficult. No one wants to make a bigger deal out of a small incident
or let something significant go without being dealt with properly. Telling the difference between the two can be
challenging. The progression of temptation to sin and compromise to the loss of integrity is a series of
small incremental steps which happen over time rather than a quick change of character. Sanctification is just
as slow a process but in the opposite direction through the power of the Holy Spirit working in the person
who has surrendered their life to Christ. The direction of a person’s life depends on their submission to the
commandments of God. Those who have the Spirit of God in them will be moving towards Him ever so slowly.
Those who do not have Christ’s Spirit living in them will be moving away from Him.

The Israelites did not complete what God had instructed them to do. It was only a small village here and
there that remained but those small details would cause them to struggle in the future. Many who have
accepted Christ find themselves reaching a spiritual plateau of sorts in life. They know much about God,
have studied His Word, been involved in missions, and active in the local congregation. Yet, many who were
active in the past are now spiritually drifting in the present. It is wonderful that so much time and energy to
obeying the Lord was done in the past, but slowing down in the present for whatever reason is to only live
partially for God and leave the things of God half done and incomplete.

The things that were once done by us are often impossible to do now. Ministries change over time due to
physical health, impairment, and the aging process. Ministry in the life of God’s people is never completed on
this earth until the moment of their last breath on this earth. Worship of God and service to the King of Kings
does not stop even then, but is transformed into service that is done in the presence of Almighty God in His
heavenly kingdom. There is always something that God has for His people to do and accomplish to reflect His
glory in this world. Are you actively serving God today in obedience, or have you left ministry undone?

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, convict my heart of things that I have left undone and ministry calls I have left unanswered.
Jesus, stir my heart to live with great passion for doing the will of the Father until my last breath in this life.
Spirit, flood my heart with the zeal for the will of the Father to drown out all my selfish desires.
Pastor Tom

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First Impressions

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” October 2, 2018
 
Good afternoon everyone,
 
First impressions often dictate whether people will get along in the long run or not. When first impressions are bad, the relationship only works if the person who has had a bad impression of someone is willing to take time to get to know the person. If they are not willing to invest the time, the person will simply be written off as not worth the time. Sometimes first impressions can be the best moment of someone and the relationship falls apart because they get to know the person’s true personality. First impressions are a poor gauge about another person’s value. It is important to not base too much on first impressions because it may cause you to miss out on knowing some of the greatest people you will ever have the chance of meeting.
 
Philip’s brother might have forfeited his chance to meet the Messiah of God if he had allowed his first impression of Jesus to influence him about going to meet Jesus with his brother. “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see” (John 1:43-46, NKJV emphasis added).
 
One person can be hated by some and loved by others based on their first impressions. Interactions with others do not always go well. It is important that grace is given to one another in order to get to know people over time rather than making a quick judgment about them. Refusing to think differently about people when changes are seen in them whether good or bad can be devastating. The one who is loved, that degenerates into a selfish, self-centered, arrogant person who is never corrected but treated with great respect in spite of the obvious change in the character will destroy the one who has changed and the one who admires them.
 
Nathanael heard where this Messiah was from and discounted Jesus before he even met Him. Nathanael did what most of us neglect to do by going to meet Jesus in spite of his initial thoughts about who he thought Jesus was. It did not take long for Nathanael to realize Jesus was authentic no matter what he thought about where Jesus was known to have come from in the world. This is how it should be with God’s people and their interactions with others.
 
No matter what the world thinks about God’s children or whether they have made a good impression upon them at first or not, over time Jesus Christ should be revealed as the Master of the child of God. This will be expressed in their priorities, hopes, conflict, and their genuine care for others even if it means they will be inconvenienced. Putting the needs of others first proclaims loudly that Jesus is the treasure of a person’s life. There is no concern for others getting ahead or taking advantage of them, since they trust that God is sovereign over all situations. When God’s people treasure Christ in their lives they place more emphasis on helping with the needs of others and obedience to God because God has promised to supply all their needs when they seek His righteousness and kingdom first.
 
Is Jesus the only thing that you can live without? Or are there other things that you cannot live without? The greatest treasure in all of life must be Christ. If He is not, then those idols must be surrendered to the Lord and we must do with them whatever He calls us to do. What is your greatest treasure in the world today?
 
Praying beyond the physical: Father, forgive me for making judgments about others and refusing to see how You are working in them. Jesus, help me to see You changing people that I have given up on as a lost cause. Spirit, teach me to give truth, grace, and love to others and let the Father dish out the condemnation. Pastor Tom

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Anger

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” October 9, 2018

Good afternoon everyone,
 
The stress and pressure of life can become so great that it will spill over and harm and taint others and
everything that a person does. No one is exempt from this fact. We all “lose it” in some way from time to time.
Even someone as humble as Moses lost his temper with the people of Israel and said and did things he should
not have done and said.

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the
congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring
water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod
from before the Lord as He commanded him.

And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear
now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the
rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of
the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
(Numbers 20:7-12, NKJV)

Moses lost his temper with the children of Israel and their constant strife they caused him to have in his
life. The statement has been made by some I know that, “Life would be great if it were not for other people!”
This attitude is certainly something that should be avoided in life as a child of God. God still honored His
promise of providing water for the people to drink and to give to their animals even though Moses was
disobedient. Please know that disobedience must be avoided at all costs. Faithfulness to the Lord in all things is
what God calls His people to, which is what it means to do the will of the Father as Jesus proclaimed that He
always did and still does (John 6:38, 8:29). Our fits of anger, no matter how justified we may be in them, will
cause problems with others and cause us to suffer consequences (James 1:19-20).

Anger must be dealt with in a godly manner or it will be expressed in ways that are ungodly. God
warns people not to sin in their anger and make sure that anger over an issue does not linger for extended
periods of time (Ephesians 4:25-26). It is crucial to take all emotions and submit them to Christ. No matter what
emotions are felt by a person, they cannot be trusted fully without first seeking truth from God’s Word and His
Spirit that lives within the child of God.

Being angry is not a sin. Jesus became angry as He witnessed God’s house being turned into a den of
thieves (John 2:13-17). There are going to be times when it is right for us to be angry about things that happen
in the world, but how we respond to these things must never cause us to be disobedient to God’s
commandments or to behave in a manner that is not a true reflection of His character. Letting anger have free
reign shows a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. Therefore, God’s people can become angry but never to the
point where they behave and act in ways that are not a reflection of Christ’s character.

There are times when my own anger has come out over the pulpit which it was wrong to do and I have
had to repent of that sin. Just because we are in good company so to speak, with Moses and Paul, does not make
it right. Confession and repentance is vital so that God can forgive us of all our unrighteousness (Numbers 20:7-
12; Romans 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8-10). Are you angry today? Has someone just broke that last nerve that gave you
the strength to hold it together? Never let yourself get to that point, but as soon as something or someone
upset you turn to the Lord to help you. The Lord is faithful and will help to put everything into an eternal
perspective which will allow us to once again to genuinely love others and ourselves. Doing this shows trust in
the Lord but also love for Him over all other things as Master and Lord of your life.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, teach me to be zealous for You and Your Word and to express it in a manner that glorifies You.
Jesus, teach me to be trusting in the Father as You are so I forfeit my will for the will of the Father.
Spirit, teach me to be dependent upon Your strength, wisdom, and guidance in all things.
Pastor Tom

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Fear

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” October 11, 2018

Good morning everyone,

Fear is something people seek at this time of year for entertainment. The majority of the time though
people attempt to remove all sense of fear in their lives. There is one fear that everyone should have for their
own good, but sadly ignore what ought to cause people to pause each day and consider all they do and say. “In
the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the
Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26-27, NKJV).

Jesus said, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have
no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has
power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5, NKJV) There must be a reverence and awe
for Almighty God who is sovereign over all things and is the One who holds the keys of Hades and Death
(Revelation 1:18). There ought to be much fear, anxiety, and horror at even the thought of God’s presence
for those who have not accepted Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf for the atonement of their sins and the
satisfaction of the Father’s wrath. Those who are in Christ are reverent, respectful, and greatly honor God as
all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), and everywhere-present (omnipresent). The
understanding of who God is and what He has done for them have driven out all other fear, since fear has to do
with punishment (1 John 4:18).

The fear of death, the future, governments going rogue, clowns, vampires, demons, the devil, and
whatever images that will become a fascination during the October haunted events around the country are
nothing more than temporary nuisances to those who trust in the Lord. God’s power is greater than any power
known to mankind or that exist in the spiritual realm. The Lord inspired James to write the key to having the
strong confidence and ability to drink deeply of the fountain of life, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil
and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, NKJV).

Submitting oneself to God is to willingly to choose to be under the authority of God in obedience to His
will over their entire life. It is only then that the devil can be resisted in a way that will cause him to flee from
the child of God. The presence of the Holy Spirit living within the child of God is able to restrain the fear which
seeks to paralyze and bind the sin of the believer to prevent it from causing them to commit sin that leads to
death (1 John 4:7-9, 5:16). Strong confidence is when a person holds the Lord in honor and reverence in life
knowing nothing can separate anyone who abides in Him (Romans 8:37-39). The fountain of life is present
in the life of a child of God because of salvation through faith in Christ as Savior and Lord over their life
(John 3:16-18; Romans 8:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11).

This life is not the life which needs to preserve at all costs. It is the eternal destination of the soul which
should be peoples focus, and the fear of God’s wrath which ought to drive everyone to repentance of their sins.
No one has to live in fear. Come to faith in Christ and discover the peace which only He can give.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, fill my vision so that all things that cause me worry and fear are compared to Your majesty.
Jesus, teach me to trust the Father completely, so I will have the strength to surrender my life if God wills it.
Spirit, overpower all my fears and worry and speak through me as the Father has ordained as His child.
Pastor Tom

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Thoughts

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” October 16, 2018

Good morning everyone,

There are many thoughts, images, and words that pass through a person’s mind which others are
completely oblivious to what is going on. Those who are observant will often have an idea of what is being
thought about because the person’s facial expressions and body language reveal what is happening inside a
person. Other times people will wrongly interpret these outward expressions to mean something that is not
really taking place in their minds. This is from people’s point of view, but God’s view is much clearer and sees
everyone’s thoughts and intentions as they really are according to Hebrews 4:13, “And there is no creature
hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”
(NKJV).

Nothing can be hidden from God so it only makes sense, especially for those who claim Him as Lord, to
invite God to examine all their thoughts, intentions, and attitudes running rampant in their mind throughout the
day. David invited God to do this in his life by saying, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, NKJV). Willingly
inviting God to reveal what is and is not acceptable to Him in our thought life is something that must be
done. Many people know that saying and expressing certain things is not sociably acceptable, so they feel it is
safe to entertain such thoughts in their minds where no one else can see them. The only problem is what is
thought about most will eventually be physically expressed at some point in life.

Jesus warned people about this in what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount. “You have
heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a
woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to
sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for
your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for
it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell ”
(Matthew 5:27-30, NKJV).

Thoughts are the first step in temptation that leads to sin. What is thought about the most will be
practiced in a person’s life whether it is righteousness or evil. It is why Apostle Paul was inspired by God to
encourage people to think about, “…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are
just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV). What a
person entertains most in their minds and heart will be what comes out of their mouth and be seen in their
actions and attitudes. Therefore, what goes on in a person’s mind that is out of sight of others must be submitted
to the judgment of God and not allowed to run free without restrictions.

So, what are you thinking about right now? What is clear to God will eventually be brought to light for
all to see. What thoughts do you need to start taking captive of which the Lord is convicting you of today?

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, consume my thoughts so that I may strive to be holy as You are holy.
Jesus, help me to think about the Father in all that I do, say, and think, as You did throughout Your ministry.
Spirit, You alone are the only way that I will be able to do any of this so give me strength to listen and obey.
Pastor Tom

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Your Heart’s Desire

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” November 13,2018

Good morning everyone,

Spending time with the Little Lambs Christians Preschool children here at High View is a real treat.
Yesterday while stopping in to say hi to the children, the teacher asked me to keep two of the students’
grandfathers in my prayers. As I was responding, one of the students that I was going to pray for started
praying out loud for his classmate’s grandfather. Immediately everyone was silent and prayed along.
When he finished his prayer, I encouraged him and thanked him for praying for his classmate even
when his own grandfather needed prayer as well. I then led the class in a prayer for both grandfathers and
their families. This touched my heart deeply because these children were so comfortable praying out loud. It is a
real testimony to the parents of these two students, our teachers, and helpers here at Little Lambs. These
children have learned and are continuing to learn about God’s power, love, and mercy. I was reminded of
this as I was reading through a portion of Psalm 103 this morning which read, “For as the heavens are high
above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far
has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear
Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:11-14, NKJV).
 
When these children talked about their grandfathers a repeated phrase kept coming up, “be healed and
get better”. It was obvious what their hearts desire was for their grandfathers. The same can be said of Scripture
when things are repeated over and over again. God is trying to tell us His heart’s desire and we need to pay
attention. What is repeated in the above verses is “…those who fear Him…”. Jesus made it clear that the power
of God is certainly so great that it ought to be feared, but He was gracious to mankind to reveal Himself through
His Only Son Jesus the Christ.

Fear of the Lord is not a fear of punishment, but a reverent respect and willing submission to His
authority in life (Romans 5:8-11; 1 John 4:10-19). We must understand that God is the only true place of
refuge in life that can be turned to that actually is eternally beneficial and not a temporary bandage on the hurt
of our lives. Actions and words that are repeated in our lives and given the most attention, time, resources,
and energy to are the things that our hearts truly desire. Look at your schedule over the last year and see
what you have spent the majority of your time doing, places visited, and your financial records to see where
your resources went. Is it obvious that God is the center of your life from that which is repeated?
We are coming up to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s when life for everyone gets real active.
In all the celebrations and activity, what is the focus of your heart?

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, consume me with desire to know You more, to serve You better, and to grow in knowledge of You daily.
Jesus, teach me to love others and put their needs above my own needs so You will be lifted up in my life.
Spirit, strengthen me to trust Your leading in spite of my weakness, failures, and faithlessness.
Pastor Tom

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God’s Holiness

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” November 20, 2018

Good morning everyone,

As we enter into the celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s there is a time of
reflection that many people entertain in moments of quietness. It is a good thing to evaluate the past year, but
it is especially beneficial for those who claim Christ as Savior and Lord over their lives. In this year there is one
thing that has struck me which God has taught me in many different ways. God’s holiness is something that
I personally have treated with contempt over the years. This may sound strange coming from a pastor, but
that does not make it any less true.

Elihu was a man who traveled with Job’s three friends who came to comfort him in his time of loss.
These three friends and Job actually did nothing but accuse one another and trade sarcastic speeches back and
forth. When Job and his three friends exhausted their arguments, Elihu spoke up. He was the only one of the
group who talked any sense about God and the situation Job was enduring. It was something Elihu was
recorded saying that sums up what I learned this year. “Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the
Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world?
If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, all flesh would
perish together, And man would return to dust” (Job 34:12-15, NKJV).

I admit to having contempt for God’s holiness because I have questioned His will, complained about
what He has allowed to take place in the world, and accused Him of doing wrong whenever the righteousness
and justice of God is questioned. God is so far above the understanding of people, yet we all try to tell Him
what He should do, how He should accomplish it, and what time frame it would be best to take place. The
proclamation Elihu makes about God, if He so chose to do it, could remove breath from all people and they
would die and God would not be guilty of any injustice.

The holiness of God is something that should cause us to tremble and proclaim our unworthiness as
Isaiah did when the Lord appeared to him (Isaiah 6:5). There should be a posture of submission and
acceptance as Jesus had in willingly laying down His life for others without complaint (Isaiah 53:7-9;
Philippians 2:5-8). Yet, what is seen in the church is contempt for God’s holiness by treating Him with far
less fear and adoration than what He deserves from those who are completely and utterly dependent upon
Him.
The mercy of God was seen in the beginning when mankind first sinned. Adam & Eve were guilty of
immediate death for their rebellion against God, yet He allowed them to continue on. God’s justice was swift at
other times as when the ten spies who brought back a negative report about the Promised Land died that night
(Numbers 14:36-37). God makes it clear He has mercy on whom He has mercy apart from the opinions
and feelings of those He created (Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:14-16). God is and never will be answerable to
anyone; He is God alone! Who are we to ask God why He has done something or allowed something to happen
that causes us discomfort and pain?

The one change that has been being initiated in my life in light of learning more about God’s holiness
and my failure to honor Him as He ought to be magnified in this life He allows me to live is, choosing to
complain less and turning to God for strength to endure. There is a long way to go, of course, but the peace
and joy that has come upon me in just recognizing more of God’s holiness is indescribable. I pray that we would
seek to learn more about God with each passing year He mercifully gives each one of us.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, help me to ascribe to Your sovereignty and holiness which You alone have in my conduct each day.
Jesus, help me to be submissive as You were, accepting great abuse and hurt when it is God’s will for me.
Spirit, help me to endure faithfully by depending upon the Father’s wisdom and guidance You teach me.
Pastor Tom

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God is Everywhere

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” November 27, 2018

Good morning everyone,
There are things about Christ Jesus throughout the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Many
believe that to read anything about Jesus you are limited to the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
However, this could not be farther from the truth. Jesus helped two disciples on the road leading to Emmaus see
the wealth of things about Himself throughout the Hebrew Scriptures that we know of as the Old Testament in
the Church. “Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have
spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at
Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself”
(Luke 24:25-27, NKJV).

The words of Jesus can even be found in the book of Acts. Jesus speaking to His disciples before His
ascension into heaven in Acts 1:4-8. Jesus confronts Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:3-6. A
quote from Jesus can even be found in Acts 20:35 that is not found anywhere in the Gospel accounts expressing
that it is better to give than to receive. That is a quote that is appropriate as the Christmas celebration is fast
approaching. People expect to hear about and see Jesus clearly in the New Testament, but the Old Testament is
often disregarded by many Christians as being obsolete. There are some congregations that only read and study
the New Testament. This is a travesty because there is so much that speaks about Christ that can be learned
from the Old Testament writings.

The first promise about a Messiah is found immediately after the rebellion of Adam and Eve in
Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He
shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel” (NKJV). Christ’s suffering is described in detail in
Psalm 22:14-18. The purpose and reason for Jesus’ suffering is explained in Isaiah 53:3-10. Isaiah 42:1-9
reveals the character and personality of Christ to help understand why Jesus did certain things in His
ministry that He did.

The minor prophets also reveal things about Jesus that He would later say to others confirming Him
as God in the flesh. Matthew records Jesus as saying, “…whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,
for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12, NKJV). God proclaims through the Prophet Obadiah,
“…As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head” (Obadiah 15).
Jesus never contradicted anything in the Old Testament. Christ also affirmed and clarified all that had
become misinterpreted by the people throughout the centuries (Matthew 5:17-48).

These references are merely a sample of what can be learned about Jesus in the Old Testament. It
is crucial that all sixty-six books of the Bible are studied and applied in the life of Christ’s disciples for He is
spoken of in all of them. Dismissing any book of the Bible is to forfeit a better understanding of Christ:
who He is, what He has done, and the things He is bringing about in the world now and in the future.
Reading through the Bible is great, but studying the Bible in depth individually and with others is
even better. As 2019 approaches, make plans to be someone who is a theologian (a person who studies God).
Start this by (1) reading 4 chapters of the Bible each day, (2) write a 1-2 sentence summary of each
chapter, (3) record questions you will be seeking to find answers to, and (4) join in this endeavor with two
or three people who you will share with weekly in person, through e-mail, text, or phone conversations. In
doing this you will have gone through the entire Bible in one year and have a general understanding of how it
all fits together in God’s redemptive plan.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, speak to my heart through Your Word so that I can know You better and reflect Your glory.
Jesus, instruct me to be more like You by reading and applying all that I find in Your Word to imitate You.
Spirit, transform my way of thinking so that I will sound, act, and look more like Jesus with each passing day.
Pastor Tom

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Look to God

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” December 13, 2018

Good morning everyone,

Christmas is either the time of year for great joy or extreme sorrow. It is a time of polar opposites
for many people around the world. The ideal and reality are never quite the same. This is due to people’s
perspective rather than the actual time of the year. What allows this time of the year to be special is the reason
for the celebration more than the activities that are associated with the Christmas season.
God coming into the world as a human being, Jesus, with the expressed purpose of being the
ultimate sacrifice for satisfying the judgment of God against sin is the reason we celebrate at this time of
year (Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:14, 29). If Christ is the core of all that is done and focus of the celebration,
then the immediate circumstances of life are unable to affect the joy of the season. Sorrow over the death of a
loved one will still hurt, but joy is not quenched. Despair and hopelessness over physical circumstances is
rendered powerless to steal away the peace and love God provides through the ministry of reconciliation that
Christ has given to the Church.

It is important to never forget that God must be in the center of the Christmas celebration, but also to
keep Him in the center of life throughout the year. One example of how this can change our outlook is found
in Numbers 13:27-31, “Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with
milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are
fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of
the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the
sea and along the banks of the Jordan.”

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for
we are well able to overcome it.”
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they
are stronger than we” (NKJV).

Life is not about what we can or cannot do personally. Life is about what God is doing, and how He
designed and is equipping and working through His people to bring about His will and reveal His glory. The
Christmas celebration has become diluted and stripped of the joy it should have because those who worship
Him have allowed themselves to get caught up in the distractions of what others have said Christmas time
should be about rather than concentrating on the reason to celebrate in the first place.
People lose their employment, go without essential needs, and are mourning the death of loved ones
daily. It seems more difficult at Christmas time than any other time of the year because of these false
expectations that have been forced upon the Christmas season. If anything, all those burdens ought to be made
easier at this time of year instead of harder.

A person can face unemployment, despair, hopelessness, and the lack of basic necessities of life because
God has come into the world to be a Savior who can truly empathize with those He created. God did not
come into a wealthy family but a poor one and was on the run early in His life because people sought to kill
Him (Leviticus 12:6-8; Matthew 2:13-18; Luke 2:22-24). God cares so much that He endured all that we face
and more in His lifetime upon the earth and died in our place.
It is up to those who know Christ to focus on the real reason for the season of joy during the
Christmas celebration. This can be done while participating in the festivities of this time of year, but still
expressing great joy even though things are not exactly the way we might prefer them to be because we know
that God is still sovereignly enthroned and has shown us His forgiveness and love even though it is not deserved.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, help me set my eyes upon Your strength and great love rather than on the things of this world.
Jesus, help me praise You in all the things I do to proclaim the Gospel through this joyful season.
Spirit, help me look to You for strength to rejoice even when my heart is shattered at this time of year.
Pastor Tom

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Who is Jesus

Posted on Jan 4, 2019 in General |

“FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART” December 18, 2018
Good morning everyone,

This is truly an awesome time of year. We celebrate the Incarnation of God, “…the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth” (John 1:14, NKJV). Yet, there are those who completely cast Jesus’ deity aside calling Him an
immigrant and refugee. It must be remembered and understood that all things were made by Him, for Him,
through Him, and for His intentions (Psalm 33:6; John 1:3; Ephesians 3:8-10; Colossians 1:16-17). Jesus
suffered all He did for the sake of being able to understand and empathize with humanity, and not because
He was helplessly bullied, harassed, and brutally murdered.

Jesus was completely submissive to the Father’s will and confident of who He was. This is spoken
of in the upper room when Jesus was with His disciples the night He would be arrested, “And supper being
ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus,
knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going
to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself” (John 13:2-4, NKJV).
Jesus laid His life down and picked it up again. No one took His life from Him or had power over Him that was not granted to them by the Father. “…My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may
take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have
power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18, NKJV). He professed
His power and control before Pilate during His trial, “…Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do
You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have
no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to
you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11, NKJV).

Jesus humbled Himself and accepted the suffering of people as His own so we would have a Savior
who could understand and empathize with those He came to save. Paul points this fact out in his letter to the
Philippians, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not
consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8, NKJV). The writer of the letter
to the Hebrews was inspired to write, “…in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a
merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-
18, NKJV).

Please remember that even though Jesus came into the world as a helpless infant child, human in every
sense, He was still fully God. This Christmas remember Jesus is truly God Incarnate. Do not insult His deity
by stripping it away and making Jesus to be less than He actually is: Fully God and Fully Man.

Praying beyond the physical:
Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world to reveal Yourself and provide forgiveness of my sins.
Jesus, thank You for coming into the world in power and demonstrating Your love for Your rebellious creation.
Spirit, thank You for residing in my heart as a guarantee that the Father and Son are true to Their promises.
Pastor Tom

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