October 2020
Message from Pastor Tom:
Wow, it’s so hard to believe October is already here! This year has been anything but calm, and even though we can’t help feeling weighed down by all the unknowns with the pandemic, the elections, job futures, our schools, or just plain being able to socialize safely, with the onset of cooler temperatures and the leaves beginning to turn their brilliant colors, we can hopefully turn our thoughts towards the holidays. So just how do we let the spirit of the holidays warm our hearts and look forward to the season in times like this? The answer is quite simple… with GOD. I know being around people and going places is necessary and gives meaning to our lives. God intended us to be social and build up one another. But without being able to do that lately, I imagine many have felt empty, fearful and lost in your quiet time. In fact, I know you will if the Lord is not in your heart. “God’s way is the right way.”
If you know God’s
character you will know that no one is more trustworthy than God. Satan will
try to have us see God as untrustworthy. When God says He
will not forsake us, He means it. “I
will never leave thee nor forsake thee” Hebrews 13:5 (KJV). No
one who seeks after our Lord and Savior will be disappointed. God will not
forsake you. But I am here to tell those who are not interested in God, who do
not seek Him, you cannot claim, or be able to receive God’s promise.
For me and my family, not
serving God in some capacity is not an option. Now I am not saying we
have never felt alone or been fearful. The difference is we have the Lord in
our hearts and His Love and Grace to pick us up. I ask, don’t you want the
same for your family also? Well you can by reading and believing in two very simple
verses. They are mighty, powerful and your acceptance will give you the peace,
love, and understanding of living life eternally. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God
did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him” John 3:16-17 (NIV).
Now take a minute and just think
about how Paul’s life was turned upside down. From how he had been living, to
the life God had planned for him all along. I am sure it reminds you, as it
does me, of the day we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and how our
lives forever changed. Have you really thought how your success in life will
affect your Christian walk? Will you be a marvelous salvation and blessing to
the Christian community? I know you can as long as we all stay the path our
Lord has laid out for us, and begin our journey of faith with the Holy Spirit
in our hearts and our eyes upon the cross. Then we will conquer the selfish and
self-centered life we once cherished, and begin to share our lives with others.
We will then give ourselves to the Lord, being one with the body of Christ in
the community of believers. This allows us to reap the benefits of eternal life
and achieve the Christian excellence the Lord as laid out in our own personal
Paul-like conversions. “God’s way is the right way”
Heidi and I pray and ask that you pray for peace for our country, our leaders and those who are racially and spiritually 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
And this I pray, that your love may
abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may
approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without
offense till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10
