June 2020
Message from Pastor Tom:
As June is beginning and
summer is well and truly on the way, my question to you is, “How are you
responding to the call of Christ?” Remember Christians, one day we will all stand
before God and give an account of our life. Those of us who are listening to
His voice will experience spiritual abundance and blessing, both here on earth
and one day in heaven. As Greg Lorie stated not long ago in one of his daily
devotionals, “Please take a stand and say you’re a follower of Christ, people
will be watching you (and secretly hoping you’ll mess up). Yet you may be the
only Gospel some people will ever read”.
Now more than ever in
this season of our lives, it is important we listen to God and the Holy Spirit,
as the world is trying so hard to shout out and have Their voices heard. We
need to raise true awareness of the fight against racial injustice worldwide.
As Our Father stated in John 7:24, “Stop
judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” Everyone reading
this is going through something that is painful. We’re all facing some sort of
trial. We can either let adversity make us bitter or better. I believe it can
serve as a stepping-stone, not a stumbling block. It’s up to us! We cannot
claim to love God if we do not take seriously what He says and act upon what He
asks of us. Jesus’ passion and suffering produced the opportunity for the
salvation of the world. Our suffering ultimately makes us more like Jesus and gives
us future opportunities to minister to others.
While we may not
understand it now, pain always serves a purpose! The resurrection of our Savior
is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. With Covid-19, the killing of an
innocent black man at the hands of those people we place our trust, the very
ones who pledged an oath to serve and protect, are playing judge and
executioner. The world is a sad and troubled place. We need to be listening to
God’s Holy Word now more than ever. He
is speaking loudly! Please Listen and STOP this worldwide injustice. Be a
part of the solution.
I could go on preaching
and saying much more here, however I would rather end this blog in prayer, a
place we should all be in this time of need.
Dear Heavenly Father, I
pray the words spoken today have been pleasing to your ears. I ask you watch
over all mankind Lord, people who are shut in, sick or in hospitals, and those who
are lost and missing out on your precious gifts of life. Lord help us reach out
to the lost, just as you have commissioned us to be your ambassadors,
committing our lives to passing on the message of reconciliation, and glorify
you by spreading the Good News of your mighty works until your return. God you
also commanded us to love our neighbor, and our neighbor has no greater need
than salvation. I pray we will bring glory to you in thought, word and deed.
That you will continue to bless us, keeping your hands upon us as the Holy
Spirit continues to guide us along our journey of faith. On this day Lord, I
pray there is not one of us who has not received your gifts of peace, love and
forgiveness. In your precious Son Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Heidi and I wish to join
you all in praying for peace and healing for our country, our leaders and those
who are racially persecuted worldwide. Until next month, may God richly bless
you and keep you, may His face shine upon you.
Blessings from a pastor and his wife
But
anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the
darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has
blinded them. 1
John 2:11
