August 2020
Message from Pastor Tom:
My message for the month of August is "PRAYER". I know everyone wants to spend a sinless life, but there is an enemy forever present tempting us down the wrong path. If you are living a life that contains little to no prayer, then you are following the symptom that leads to destruction!
We have learned a lot about symptoms this year with Covid-19 on the loose. We need to see and learn the symptoms of spiritual destruction. If we want to be prepared for the unexpected, then we must be in prayer, and discipline ourselves to seek God every day. We need to acknowledging God and have dependence upon Him. We can do this by examining our habits, and what we have done through life. We know whether our attention is on the Lord or other things. If we start our day thinking about God instead of our own plans, and regularly read and apply Scripture, then we demonstrate a heart that is pursuing Him.
I am a great believer in the power of prayer and know firsthand how important conversing with God is. Reading Scripture and becoming familiar with the Word of God are valuable vehicles of communication in Christian worship. Despite the fact we may all be impressed when hearing a very flowery or even showy prayer, true prayer is an expression of truth, a very humble and personal experience. It need not be elaborate nor even complicated, just a simple statement of sincere, genuine and heartfelt words. Whether spoken aloud or in silence, our prayers are our way of directly communicating with God as part of our worship and in developing our own personal relationship with Him. Prayer is our weapon against sin. The quality of our prayer is much more important than the quantity of it. We must spend time in conversation with God, for it is how we become willing to trust and obey Him. There is nothing we cannot do when we turn our eyes to God and trust He will operate on our behalf. As Philippians 4:6-7 explains, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
As many children and grandchildren will soon be returning to school in whatever form of teaching they actually organize for them, let us pray each child will treasure God's Word they have been taught and stand up for truth. Be free from deception and the lies the evil one will whisper in their ears. Pray each and every one of our children will have the great understanding of God's Word and be safe in this unpredictable world.
Heidi and I wish to join you all in praying for peace and healing for our country, our leaders and for those who are racially persecuted worldwide. Until next month, may God richly bless you and keep you safe, may God's face shine upon you.
Blessings from a pastor and his wife
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" 2 Chronicles 7:14.
