Message from Pastor Tom:
I
have been sitting here looking out the window watching the rain after a long
dry spell here in the Carolinas. I started reflecting on past seasons of my
life, in how my schooling, ministry and this blog has come to pass. I hope and
pray the blog is being read in a positive way. This inspired me to begin writing
November’s blog and wonder how many really do take the time to read it, or even
know of its existence. Hopefully, some do. So I pray and leave all this in
God's hands, for even if only one person actually reads it, I firmly believe it is well worth the time it takes to share God's wisdom and Good News.
As the
days are now getting shorter, the holidays are rapidly coming upon us, and we will
be so involved in the holidays we may tend to forget the true meaning of the Holyday.
Did you get it, Holyday! (not Holiday). Yes Christmas Day, and even though it's a celebration of the birth of Christ, we will worry more about what others
are thinking and saying about us. Will I get the right presents, will the meals
be good, and of course, the last biggie, will it fit? Yes, sometimes I don’t
even understand where the pieces of our lives will fit together around the holidays, but it should be all about being thankful to God for His many blessings.
So how do we go about focusing on Jesus and what we are truly thankful for when the holidays can be so stress-filled and busy? I
have learned wisdom is of the utmost importance in knowing how to apply the
truths God has given us through His Scriptures and understanding the blessings of His never-ending
unconditional Love and Grace. How we can really apply this knowledge to our lives in times of
sorrow, pain, and loneliness, let alone how it affects us during the holidays is by having faith in Him. In reading Job 28: 23-28, verse 28 clearly states, “And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord that is
wisdom, and
to shun evil is understanding.’”
True wisdom may bring material reward, but its value far exceeds earthly
riches. To those who receive it, it opens a path to life and security and
equips for leadership and right conduct. Yes, you can find wisdom, by getting your
eyes off yourself and look at Jesus. Think of what He did for you. Think about how
He went to the cross for you. He’s the one who will give you the strength to
endure.
Godly wisdom is the ability to view things as the Lord does and to respond
according to biblical principles. The secret to this is to really do it.
This discernment isn't automatic. God's Holy Spirit is living inside all believers
prompting us to do right. However, each individual chooses whether or not to follow
the wise way. To walk wisely, a person must commit to remaining on the right path. That is to determine in our hearts to follow God no matter what. “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you,
so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you
will possess."
Deuteronomy
5:33.
Pleasing
the Lord and conforming to His likeness is always the right thing to do. Yet I find myself falling short, the same as most others do. We cannot stop what is
thrown our way in this world, for what we must endure, but we can choose where
our focus will be. All we can do is focus on Him, pray and know it is in God's
hands, and keep striving to be Christ-like. Love like Jesus loves.
As
we prepare this month for Thanksgiving, may our thanksgiving be directed to
God for the blessings we have received because He is the source of all good
things. "Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom
there is no variation or shadow of turning" James 1:17.
Heidi and I pray this will be your
most thankful Thanksgiving. May you and yours enjoy happiness, peace, love, joy,
and God’s wisdom as you spend time with your family and friends. I thank you
for taking the time to read this and hope it spiritually enriches you in some
way this thanksgiving.
Blessings from a pastor and his
wife.
If
any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
