Pastor’s Pen

 

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In His Hands

Posted on May 9, 2020 in BLOG, pastors pen | 455

IN HIS HANDS   

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.      Jeremiah 29:11

 

Dear Fellow Christians,

     We are facing difficult days but we must not allow this to interfere with the trust we have in a Holy God.  I was certain we could be back having services by Easter, when all this started.  But it seemed the date of lifting the lockdown kept being extended for two more weeks every two weeks.  It now looks as though we will start having services mid-May.  That date will be May 17th.  We will only have the Morning Worship Service that Sunday, no Sunday School and no Evening Service.  Depending on how things go, we may move to full schedule by the following week.  Please feel free when we start services to wear masks and maintain social distancing if this helps you to feel more safe.

     God did not bring this pandemic on us.  However, He has allowed it to happen.  It is my prayer that God will derive good from it.  Always remember God Is In Control.  Please don’t allow yourself to drift away from His love.  This passage in Jeremiah is a promise we can all hold on to. 

     Becky and I offer you much thanks for your kindness shown to us since Becky fell and broke her arm.  The ones of you who prepared meals, sent cards, called by phone, and most of all prayed we send our heartfelt thanks.  This is a demonstration of a Christian family in God’s hands. 

God will lead us through these difficult times.

                      In His Love,

                                                              Bro. Gene

 


In These Trying Times

Posted on Mar 31, 2020 in BLOG, pastors pen | 365

   Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Matthew 22:37-39

 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day….  Genesis 50:20

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ,

     We now face something that is new to all of us.  And though it poses difficulties, we must remember who controls everything.  God has allowed this to take place for a purpose and we can rely on Him to see us through this crisis.

      As a church family, we want to be good neighbors to all people we come into contact with.  Therefore, the leadership has made the decision to suspend our Services until Easter Sunday (April 12th).  We will make a determination closer to  that time to decide if it will be safe for our church family to return to the Fellowship.

     Please send your Tithes and Offerings by mail, if possible.  We still have most of the same expenses.

     Scripture teaches us that all things work together for good for those who are called of God.  Remember God is working in this as in any other event of our lives.  When we do what we can to eliminate the spread of this deadly virus, we are being good neighbors.

     I would encourage you, with the time you now have, to seek the Promises of God in His inexhaustible Word.  As God told Joshua, as he lead the children into the Promise Land, to be of good courage and strength, God will win the battle.

                                         Loving at a Distance,

                                                              Bro. Gene

 


Restoration

Posted on Feb 1, 2020 in BLOG, pastors pen | 509

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  Luke 15:16-18
     How many people are there, that we know, who need to be restored. In Luke Chapter 15, it first tells us about a lost coin and there was great rejoicing when it was found. Next, it tells of a lost sheep and there was great rejoicing when it was found. Lastly, it tells of a lost boy. How much more rejoicing was there when he came home?
     Restoration is the duty of all Christians. We want to help restore those whom have fallen away. It may be a family member, a friend or a neighbor. But sometimes our best efforts don’t work. When our efforts fail, we are never to give up or quit reaching out to help restore that person. Although it is often very difficult to do, we have to pray that person who needs to be restored would be placed in the hog pen. That young man in the story about the prodigal son would never have come home had he not gone to the hog pen. There is real tragedy when one finds himself in the hog pen and doesn’t know where to turn. This is where we as Christians come in. If those people who need restoring know that we know how to help them get back on their Christian journey, it gives them hope they can be restored. We can tell them that God will forgive them and He will rejoice over restoring them. We, who have helped lead them back to God, will be rejoicing also.
      Restoration begins with love. Jesus loves sinners. Let’s do our part in reaching out to the hog pens and rejoice in the restorations that come.
                           Grateful for Restoration,
                           Bro. Gene

Our Shepherd

Posted on Jan 1, 2020 in BLOG, pastors pen | 472

OUR SHEPHERD
 
23RD PSALM
 
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
 
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
 
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
 
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
 
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
 
This Psalm is an invitation to us all to follow the Shepherd. As we begin a new year there is no better course to take than that of a sheep led by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. If we follow Him our entire year will be a year of great promise.
 
Pondering the role of the sheep,
Bro. Gene

It is Time To Go On The Offense

Posted on Dec 1, 2019 in BLOG, pastors pen | 515

IT IS TIME TO GO ON THE OFFENSE
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;   Ephesians 6:17 b
 
We’ve come to the last part of our armament, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With this tool of offense, we are able to deal with temptations, and learn how to live with God, also how to live with man.
Scripture describes the Word of God as a two-edged sword, able to cut to the bone. The Word of God has the power to convict of sin and gives us ways to deal with our convictions. Scripture also describes the Word as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Christians need the Word of God as the Bread of Life. Without it’s nourishment, a Christian will be extremely weak. Scripture goes hand in hand with the water of Christianity, which is prayer. With these nourishing elements, a Christian will thrive. Please be aware, the enemy of God, the devil, will do all he can in your life to keep you away from the Word of God and prayer.
No other book may be substituted for God’s Word, not the finest novel, or the greatest commentary, or even the greatest preacher’s manuscripts. So, I would encourage us all to use the Word of God as God intended and enjoy a life of victory and blessings.
In His Word,
Bro. Gene

Take The Helmet of Salvation

Posted on Nov 4, 2019 in BLOG, pastors pen | 493

TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION

17 And take the helmet of salvation, …      Ephesians 6:17 a       
 
    How many football players do you know who would be willing to go into a game without their helmet?  It is against the law to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.  Airplane pilots in the military are required to wear helmets.  The importance of a helmet must never be underestimated.
 
     In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he spoke of putting on the whole armor of God for spiritual warfare.  In 2019, we are still engaged in that same spiritual warfare.  Therefore, all parts of the armor are needed. 
 
     We will now look at the helmet of salvation.  Salvation is completely necessary for anyone who is engaged in a spiritual battle.  In describing salvation as this piece of armament, we recognize its absolute importance.  The helmet guards our brain through which God speaks to us.
 
     Our heart is directed through the thought processes of our brain.  At the time of salvation, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts for the purpose of guiding us.  Without the helmet of salvation, we have no protection for the thought process by which the Holy Spirit leads us.   
 
      Satan’s greatest offensive weapon is deception.  He lies about us and to us.  Our helmet is there to protect us from the attack.  Without salvation, we will surely die.  Eternal life itself is dependent on our salvation.
 
     As you begin to put on the whole armor of God, remember, it will all be in vain without salvation.  I encourage you to often think about your salvation and the way it has changed your life.   
 
       Placing my helmet on and preparing for spiritual battle,                                                                                                                      Bro. Gene  
 

The Shield Of Faith

Posted on Oct 1, 2019 in BLOG, pastors pen | 448

The Shield Of Faith

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  Ephesians 6:16
 
                As we continue putting on the whole armor of God, we now add the shield of faith. First, scripture tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith.  Therefore, a review of faith is in order. What is faith? Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things yet unseen. Key words being substance and evidence.
                Faith comes  by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Yes, God’s Word is necessary if we are to have faith. Our battle with Satan often takes place within our minds. When we exercise faith, we state God’s Word and believe it. The promises contained in God’s Word belong to us. Satan attempts to take these promises from us. Thus, when we exercise faith, our shield stops these attacks.
                The shield protects the heart. We need to always protect our hearts, for the Spirit of God that lives within us is found there. It is impossible to hold our shields up without  God’s Word. We must have God’s Word to protect our hearts.
                All of the parts of God’s armament are necessary. Leaving off one part makes the whole armament totally ineffective. Being a Christian, we need the Word of God and prayer. Putting on the whole armor of God means praying and hearing the Word of God. This truth is necessary for all Christians. It doesn’t depend on any outside force except God.
 
Hold your shield high,  
Bro. Gene

Sound Footing

Posted on Sep 1, 2019 in BLOG, pastors pen | 438

Sound Footing
 
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15
 
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, have everlasting life. John 3:16
 
Normally, we never think about leaving home without first putting on our shoes. As Christians who are putting on the whole armor of God, our footwear is equally important.
 
As the Apostle Paul speaks of putting on the whole armor of God, each piece is important. We have already girded ourselves about with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness. Now comes the footwear which is the preparation of the gospel of peace.
 
The simple sweet truth of John 3:16 is the framework for this preparation. Jesus is what others need to hear about. We need to be comfortable with the plain truth of salvation, and our relationship with Jesus, who gave it to us.
 
The very first thing we acquire when we enter into a relationship with Jesus is our testimony. Our testimony is unique unto us. It is about our experience with Jesus. Our testimony is very important when sharing about Jesus with others. When we have a strong relationship with Jesus, we are comfortable sharing how it happened. Another important point in sharing the gospel is an understanding of the plain truth of the scripture. With these preparations, we are now ready to put on our footwear.
 
Using the analogy of footwear shows us that the gospel is mobile. The right time to share it is when the Holy Spirit presents the opportunity. It could be at work, at school, or any place we go. Remembering each part of our spiritual armament readies us to face all obstacles as we do the business of a New Testament Christian.
 
Using the tools He has given us,
Bro. Gene

Righteous Living

Posted on Aug 1, 2019 in BLOG, pastors pen | 587

Righteous Living
 
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, Ephesians 6:14 b
 
Last month we started with putting on the whole armor of God. We continue, this month, with the breastplate of righteousness. Being righteous is not an impossible task. But, it requires us to be in submission to Jesus in our way of living.
 
Righteousness can be defined as being in a right standing with God. The Holy Spirit of God leads us in righteousness. We know that God forgives sin and removes it from us. We also know that we may not become totally righteous until we are in Heaven. For now, living on the earth, we must carefully follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
 
The purpose of the breastplate is protection of the heart. When we wear the breastplate of righteousness we live as the Holy Spirit leads. Therefore, we have protection from anything that would destroy our heart. Having a heart for God means loving and fearing Him completely. We can’t get by with only wearing the breastplate on Sundays. But, as with all the other parts of the armor, we need it everyday.
 
This breastplate bears testimony of our fear and love of a Holy God. Revival comes as each of us seek to live in righteousness. Let this breastplate of righteousness be a part of your armor everyday.
 
In Christ’s Love,
Bro. Gene

The Importance of Truth

Posted on Jul 1, 2019 in BLOG, pastors pen | 488

The Importance of Truth
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Ephesians 6:14a    
  
           We must understand that when we seek revival we will face opposition. This opposition is always in place. It is a spiritual matter just as revival is a spiritual matter.    
             Paul wrote to the Ephesians to instruct them on how to arm themselves against their spiritual foe. He instructed them to put on the whole armor or God.     
            Let’s look at the first piece of armor that we need to put on, the belt of truth. Truth affects us in our attempts to be submissive to God. We must be truthful with ourselves first. Then we can be truthful with God. In being truthful with ourselves, we recognize our sins and then we confess them to God and receive His forgiveness.
                After forgiveness, comes repentance, a very necessary part of one’s effort for revival. Others will observe our repentance and be encouraged to repent themselves. Our adversary, the devil,is the father of lies and deception. He is the one we battle against.      
           He will attempt to convince us that we will never be in right standing with God, even though scripture tells us different. By putting on the belt of truth, we are now signifying that we completely believe the word of God. Jesus, Himself, said, “I am the truth” therefor, trusting in Him brings us to walk in the truth. We must rely on God’s authority if we are to overcome the effects of lies of the devil. By understanding that we are not in opposition with others in the human race, but, with spiritual wickedness, we can engage in the battle for truth.      
           I will attempt, in the days ahead, to describe each piece of armament that Paul mentioned. Please consider how each piece of armor will benefit you in your quest for personal revival.  
                In Christ’s Love,  
               Bro. Gene

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