Christianity and Violence Don't Mix!

Proverbs 3:31 ESV 

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways

One need only watch the news or go to social media to see the violence that is occurring in our country and around the world. Viewing these stories of senseless killing is enough to take the hope and happiness away from anyone.

What is the world coming too? Why does life seem to have less significance? Why are people around the world so willing to lash out in violence? These are questions that we have all asked ourselves on at least more than one occasion.

As people that call themselves followers of Christ, Proverbs 3:31 tells us not to envy those that take up their hands in violence. Verse 32 of the Proverbs 3 text also tells us that the Lord detests such actions at the hands of those that he created.

Beloved, as the world continues to distance itself from Jesus Christ, the more we will continue to see violence surge around the world. We that are in relationship with Christ Jesus truly understand that the things of the earth cannot truly satisfy.

What is the attraction to taking a life? Power, wealth, revenge? Beloved the kingdom of heaven has no such need for these things. The eternity that we have been promised in heaven will be our eternal refuge from the evils of this world.

My prayer for us this day is that we as people of the Risen Savior need not ever be envious of those that seem to profit from violence and fear.

Let us also pray that the world sees the failures of violence and begins to draw closer to God’s call for peace and unity in the world that He has created.

Do not envy the world, envy the promise of Jesus Christ. He promises eternal life and not earthly death.

This is the day that the Lord has made.
Pastor Tim

Needing More Bread in Our Lives

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of 

life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Over the last few weeks in many different sanctuaries of many different congregations and denominations, we have heard pastors giving messages on bread. Whether it was Jesus feeding of the 5,000, or God supplying the Israelite's fleeing Egypt with Moses, bread (Manna) from above.

 This week we see Jesus saying “I Am the Bread of Life.”  

So why do we keep hearing stories about bread? Many physically partake of bread (food) as to maintain our physical bodies. Today we See Jesus concerned with our eternal souls and that they are maintained and kept healthy as to provide for eternal salvation.

Jesus knew that his time on earth in flesh was coming to an end, but the promise of resurrection was at hand. With the resurrection of Jesus, our eternal souls were rescued and made eternal. Thus when one comes to Jesus, when one is baptized, they have partaken of the bread of life.

When we as followers of Christ continue to stay in relationship with Him, we are continuing to keep our souls healthy via the bread of life (Christ Jesus).

My prayer for you this day is that you stay in relationship with Christ and that you keep your bodily temples Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually healthy.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Tim's Topics: God's Gift of Shining Light

Tim's Topics: God's Gift of Shining Light: J ames 1:17English Standard Version (ESV) 17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...

God's Gift of Shining Light

James 1:17English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Over this last weekend I had the opportunity to watch the opening ceremonies for the Worldwide Special Olympics Games, in which special needs athletes from all over the world came to compete in different athletic competitions.

As the father of a special Olympic athlete, I see the pride in my athlete and his teammates as they are given a venue to celebrate their differences. These phenomenal athletes compete and focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities. Our son was able to do bowling, track, and basketball with his Special Olympics team.

Our son is given the ability to shine and to enjoy many things in which society in the past had only offered to what society considered to be normal. When our special needs athletes succeed we truly see the gifts that God has placed in them, as they participate in areas that used to be off limits to them.

Beloved, the case for today’s text from James is to remind us that everything that God creates has value and worth. Everything created by God is made perfect, as to shine the light of His love upon the world. My prayer for you today is that you will watch and support these amazing athletes here in Carroll County, and all over the world.

My friends, we each have gifts in us and each of us has the light of Christ in us for all the world to see. Go out today and support others and let your light shine as well.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Tim's Topics: Teamwork and Knowing Who Our Neighbors Are!

Tim's Topics: Teamwork and Knowing Who Our Neighbors Are!: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12   ESV Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift ...

Teamwork and Knowing Who Our Neighbors Are!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

a few years ago I had the blessing of visiting Johnson County Kentucky during the aftermath of flooding and storm destruction.  We might ask ourselves: “how can a trip to a devastated area be a blessing”?

The answer is easy: Teamwork

1.     It took our community coming together to collect items of need for Johnson County KY. During this collection drive we saw individuals, families, businesses, and an entire city come together to answer the question that was asked to Jesus: “Who is my Neighbor”?  In fact so much was collected that it will take at least two trips to deliver the items collected.

2.     When I arrived at the collection point with our first delivery, I witnessed an operation of clockwork precision. Churches, civic leaders, businesses, adults and children coming together as a team to help their neighbors. I was unloaded in five minutes and given a bible verse by one of the nicest teenagers that you will ever meet.

3.     Churches have begun to host meal locations to feed the victims and the aid workers in the area. And may I say anyone that was just wanting a warm meal.

Beloved, when God’s people come together in His name, magnificent things happen.  Yes, I was blessed to witness the work of God’s people in action. I was blessed to see that good people still exist and people still know who their neighbors are.

My prayer for you today is that you will get out of your comfort zone and feel God’s blessings that occur when God’s people team up as the Body of Christ.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Pastor Tim.

Tim's Topics: The Language of Understanding

Tim's Topics: The Language of Understanding