10.27.09

Encouragement From Jeremiah

Posted in General at 11:15 am by Administrator

I have been reading through the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. If I want to be honest I have to admit it is a very depressing book. God is fed up. He has had enough. He is tired of the Israelites, His chosen people, turning their backs on Him. Do you want to know how mad God is with this rebellious people? Take a look at these verses: Jeremiah 7:16, 11:14, and 14:11. Three times God commands Jeremiah to not even pray for the Israelites. Can you imagine that? God Himself telling someone not to pray for someone else! I don’t know about you, but if I made God that mad at me I would be VERY worried! I hope you can begin to grasp the gravity of the situation that God’s people are in. They have walked far away from God. Their lives are filled with greed, immorality, injustice, anger, selfishness, lies and murder. However, even in this situation there is hope. Take some time and look at Jeremiah 16:14ff; 23:3ff; 30-31; 32:36ff; and chapter 33. In these passages we find God promising to restore Israel. Yes, He is going to severely discipline them. Yes, He is going to allow their sin to cause pain and suffering. But, He will restore them.

Maybe you have been walking the same path the Israelites did. Maybe God is in the process of disciplining you right now. Let me encourage you to turn to God and say, “I’m sorry.” He is waiting to restore you. He wants to wrap His arms around you and tell you that He loves you. No matter what you have done God will never abandon you. He will let you walk away. He will discipline you if you go to far. But, He will never leave you or forsake you if you belong to Him. This has encouraged me this week and I hope it will encourage you. We serve an awesome God!!

10.22.09

Reflecting On Firsts

Posted in General at 11:43 am by Administrator

I don’t know about you, but I love to experience life’s “firsts.” Do you know what I mean? Most of you fondly remember your first kiss, your first love, your first job, your first hunt, your first car, your first…you fill in the blank. Over the last couple of weeks my wife and I have experienced a number of “firsts.” We drove to Swansea, SC for the first time. We saw chicken gizzards and livers on a buffet line for the first time. We experienced the love of God’s people at Sardis Baptist Church for the first time. And, for the first time in my life, we saw a church come together and vote for their pastor as a unified whole. Yes, it really did happen. 100% of the people who voted said, “yes, we want you to be our pastor.” My wife and I could not believe our ears! We are so excited to begin our ministry alongside of these wonderful people. There are a lot more “firsts” in our near future and we are excited about them, but I want anyone who reads this blog to know that the love shown by the members of Sardis Baptist Church, the love that led to many of these “firsts,” was possible because they were loved first by God. The Apostle John wrote in John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.” I pray that you have come to personally understand that “first.” If you haven’t I would love to talk to you about it. I’m ready to meet you for the first time so I can introduce you the One who first loved you.

I must leave now, so I can get ready for my first sermon as Sardist Baptist Church’s new pastor. Have a great day and enjoy what ever “firsts” God brings into your life today.