Be Quick to Forgive & Hesitant to Judge!

Growing up I remember learning the song "He's got the whole world in his hands". I would rush home from Sunday school to eagerly share the newly learned verses with my grandparents, shouting "he's got you and me grandma in his hands, he's got the whole world in his hands!

Now as an adult I don't sing that song anymore but the words have never rang more true. Even amidst the chaotic division of the world God still holds the whole world in God's hands.  Scripture reminds us that we must be quick to forgive and hesitant to judge because Christ has forgiven all of us who were born into sin. Brothers and Sisters this day remember it's God who has forgiven you. Therefore let that same forgiving grace be in your heart, on your mind, and coming from your speech.

1 John 2

New International Version (NIV)

2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.


Be Well, Love P.J.

The Confidence of the Faithful

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV


Family there is nothing wrong with being confident in the God we serve as well as ourselves. In fact here in Hebrews we are reminded to keep our confidence. However as we journey through life we must keep it 100 and be careful not to hold ourselves in too highly a regard leading into conceit and cockiness.  God does want us to be confident but, be confident humbly, loving, and with a servants heart. 

Dear God, today move us forward in confidence and in faith. Amen.

Be Well, Love P.J.

Joyful Service

Have you ever been to a restaurant and the service was horrible? I can recall a few times when I went out to eat and the servant was rude or bitter, to the point I questioned if they were even getting paid to work because of their attitude towards our group. A true servant is joyful and enthusiastic despite their personal trials.As followers of God we must always remember to be joyful servants despite our personal trials, indeed we work on God's behalf. I believe this message is the one Paul was trying to convey in today's text from the letter to the Church  in Rome in Romans 5. Let's look:

Romans 5 1- 5 (NIV)

Peace and Hope

 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Be Well, love Pastor Sirchester

 

Self Explanatory

John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ 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.

A few days ago someone who has been a self-proclaimed Christian and faithful church attendee asked me to explain John 3:16. I responded to them saying that this verse is self explanatory. At first glance they assumed that I was being short and hostile with them. However as I continued, I explained God is love! God loves us enough to give of his own self so we can live forever. Brothers and Sisters what do you love enough that you would even cut off a finger or toe for? God gave us his begotten son so that we can live, proving that God is love.

Therefore the scripture is self explanatory. God because of God's great love calls us to love greatly in return. What does John 3:16 mean? It means that when we love like God we are one with God. Believing in God and being one with God gives us an all access pass to eternal life. So I close with the question does your daily life and the way you carry yourself explain the love you have for God and all creation? In other words is your love self explanatory in the eyes of others?

Dear God increase our love so that when others ask or comment about us the answer is already self explanatory. Amen.

Be Well. Love Pastor Sirchester.

What Are You Trusting In?

^{Proverbs 3 (NIV)}

 ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

 

This morning while getting the car serviced as I was sitting in the waiting room, I overheard an older couple discussing their church. The wife was reminding the husband of what the pastor had taught them on Sunday. She reminded her husband that we experience God's love in everything that we do daily. Intrigued by the truth and simplicity of her statement I began to think about all of the things we put our trust in daily. Here I was worried about being able to rely on my car and computer or phone. Which are all important things but not the most important thing. Up on the wall of the dealership was the poster I have posted here, exclaiming that "the right tire changes everything". I proclaim that Faith and Trust in God changes everything. If we let God be our guide daily and ride on the tires of our faith, God will indeed change everything.

Dear God be the G.P.S. of our lives, guiding us through the twist and turns of the world. This is our prayer. Amen.

Be Well. Love P.J.

We See God Everyday...!

Isaiah 6:1-6

New International Version (NIV)

Isaiah’s Commission

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³ And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

⁴ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

⁵ “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Early this morning I woke up to phone alarms and car alarms, as I rushed outside to check on our cars the brisk air and rapid morning winds startled me. Glad that everything was safe and sound once I reentered the warmth of our home, I began to thank God. The fact of the matter is that we see God everyday in all of God's glory. As I thought about the brief events of the morning, I saw God in the brisk air and the blessing that our cars were alright. Then I saw God in the misty dew on the flowers and I even saw the hand of God in the heat and safety of my home once I came back inside. Family my point is we must take time to see God in everything that we do always. For God is HOLY, the Lord God Almighty and whole world is filled of God's glory. Let's take it all in!

Dear God you alone are perfect and holy, enable us to see your glory in each and everything. This is our prayer. Amen.

Be Well.

(Above picture is a quote from Pearl Bailey)

Keep Calm & Be Patient TODAY!

^{Proverbs 16: 31-33 (NIV)}

³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
    it is attained in the way of righteousness.

³² Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
    but its every decision is from the Lord. 


Growing up I remember my grandmother constantly saying patience is a virtue. As I have gotten older over the years, as we all do. I began to understand that patience is truly a virtue. Patience takes wisdom, strength, and faith.

In each of our daily lives our patience will be tested by the second. The things that sets Christians and people of faith apart from everyone else is how we respond during the times we are tested. Therefore today while you are driving, working, dealing with family and friends or finances and health. Remember to Keep Calm, Love is Patient. You will be tested but let your relationship with God rule you in all of your interactions and actions.

Be Well, Today. Amen.