Our Anniversary (December 31, 2020)

 

Our Anniversary

Wow! 32 years of marriage!  Another year has come and gone.  No one could have foreseen this year.  But through it all I am so glad you have been by my side.  You are my best friend.  You are my partner in ministry.  You are the love of my life.  I can’t imagine life without you. 

I thank God for you each and every day.  During this season of life I have discovered that I love you more than I ever have before.  The years just get better and our relationship just gets stronger and deeper.  Happy Anniversary baby!  I love you with all my heart!

What are you longing for? (October 7, 2020)

 

What are you longing for?

October 7, 2020

 

1 Peter 2:1-3, ESV

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

I love to do things for my family.  During this time of COVID-19 my schedule in the office has changed to Tuesdays and Thursdays in the office and Monday and Wednesday working from home.  One of the blessings of this time has been on those days that I am working from home I am able to make Stephanie lunch and see her for a few minutes during the middle of the day. I have really enjoyed that special time with her.

Monday, I started off the day working early.  I got up early studied, read and prayed for a while.  Then, I ran to the grocery story early on a mission.  I have wanted to make she-crab soup.  I love it. I also wanted to make Stephanie a little cheeseburger with fresh avocado sliced on top.  I know this combo might seem strange for many, but it just sounded good to me.  So, I got the stuff I needed and then at 11:30 I started cooking.  I like for it to smell good when she walks in for her few minutes for lunch.  The lunch was a success and she enjoyed it.

That might seem to be a strange combination to you, but I longed for it.  I really wanted it?  What do you long for?  What do you really want?

In the above verses the Bible tells us as a follower of Christ we are to put away some things;  “malice,” “deceit,” “hypocrisy,” “envy,” “and all slander.”  At the same time we are to long for the pure spiritual milk of the word of God.  The steady diet of the Bible helps us to grow up into a mature follower of Christ.  The more time we invest in the Bible, the more we want to invest in the Bible, and we grow in our relationship with Christ.

 

 

 

The Benediction

 

The Benediction

Typically, as Baptist we call the final prayer in worship “The Benediction.”  In the truest since a benediction is a blessing. 

At the very beginning of worship today, I want you to know my prayer for you as we conclude worship today.

It is found in the little book of Jude.  The book only has 25 verses.  In the last two verses contains one of the most beautiful benedictions in all scripture.

 

Jude 24-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 

As a minister of the gospel, I thankfully pray these words today, to the only one who can accomplish them, in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Be careful little mouths what you say

 

 

“Be careful little mouths what you say”

 

Stephanie used to sing a little song with our children when they were younger and one of the verses said, “Be careful little mouths what you say, for the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little mouths what you say.”

What a great word from a children’s chorus.  As a follower of Christ we need to be careful how we use our words.  With our words we can encourage and build up or we can destroy and tear down.

So as the holidays approach and we are spending time with our family and friends, let’s be careful with our speech.  Let’s use these days to encourage and build up others.

The other option is found in a quote I came across this week by Ambrose Bierce.  He was a journalist, short story writer who lived from 1842-1914.  He said, “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”

Colossians 4:6 says it this way:

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know      how you ought to answer each person” (ESV).

The Joy of Giving

 

The joy in giving

 

At Christmas time we give people we love gifts.  This week many of us will be exchanging gifts with family and friends. There is great joy and power in giving.

 

I came across a quote (unknown in its origin) that says, “Anyone that says money does not create happiness has not given enough away.”

 

Jesus said it this way in Luke 6:38 (ESV)

 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

We always get so much more than we give, when giving.

 

Merry Christma!

 

 

Being Still at Christmas

 

Being still at Christmas

Psalm 46:10

 

During the busyness of these days of Christmas season I have been trying to intentionally stop, sit in my chair and for a few moments at the beginning of the day to just be still and quiet.

This is a great challenge for me.  My mind is always racing in different directions of things I need to do, so I am easily distracted.

Psalm 46:10 was a wonderful promise for me today.  The Psalmist says, “Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Regardless of our circumstances as people of faith we can rest in the assurance of things are settled.  The God of creation, the God of salvation has everything under control.  One day he will be recognized as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Listen to the message of hope that was in our Bible study last Sunday. 

 

Luke 1:30-33, ESV

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

During these challenging days I want to encourage you to be still, to take time to listen to the voice of God who comforts us with things that are eternally settled.

 

 

The Birthday of a King

 

The Birthday of a King

 

 

Luke 2: 8-14, ESV

 

“8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 

14 Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”

 

This week we celebrate the birthday of our king.  A king like no other, one whose reign will never end.  A king who was born in the most humble of circumstances so we experience forgiveness of sin, abundant life in this life, and eternity with our King.  Oh what a Savior!

Merry Christmas!

 

Missions during COVID-19

 

Missions in COVID-19

 

This year has presented a challenge for most of us when it comes to missions.  As a church most all of our organized efforts for face to face outreach have been halted.  So, how can you and I been involved in Missions in the midst of COVID-19?

Missions is simply giving ourselves away to a lost and dying world.  So at the heart of missions is giving.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…”

I came across a quote (unknown in its origin) this week that says, “Anyone that says money does not create happiness has not given enough away.”

There are a lot of ways to give that have nothing to do with money.

There is great joy in giving of ourselves as a believer

 

In Luke 6:38 (ESV)

 “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

When you give from a heart of love

We are always given so much more than we give.

 

So during this season and during this unique time we can give of ourselves:

Through Prayer

Through giving from our financial resources

Through writing notes and cards

Through making a phone call

Through a gift

Through a kind word

 

This Christmas let us look for ways to give like we have never given before, and more than just money.

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”  (Luke 6: 38)

 

The heart of missions is giving.  Giving of ourselves

When you give from a heart of love

We are always given so much more than we give.