What in the World!

By this all people will know that you are my disciples...
By this all people will know that you are my disciples…

 

In recent days there has been a lot of hand wringing among the people of the church.  There is a general feeling that everything is out of control and that the world is careening rapidly down to the hill into the abyss of hell.  The announcement last week of the United States Supreme Court decision in regards to same-sex marriage has caused an uproar among people of faith.  I have had the privilege of living in the United States and know how patriotic most of God’s people are. There seems to be a very close association between government and the church. To many government is a reflection, or ought to be, of Biblical values.Continue reading “What in the World!”

Lessons for Today from Yesterday

Got any ghosts in your closet?  If you do, how do you deal with them? Unless I am the only one on the planet who suffers from this experience, I can quickly be discouraged by reviewing the past too long.  Being a sort of melancholic personality, I need to be careful not to dwell on it lest it overcomes me like a series of strong waves at the ocean shore.  But, I see God’s hand in directing events that have helped me understand better who He is and what He wants to accomplish in and through me.Continue reading “Lessons for Today from Yesterday”

Are you ready?

“All aboard the roller coaster 2015 now leaving platform 1!”

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We are not sure at all what is ahead of us but we are strapped in ready for some excitement. The great news is that we are not left guessing about what the road ahead looks like because we know who is in charge. He has a plan for our good and for our growth as we walk daily with Him.

We are not sure at all what is ahead of us but we move ahead full of faith that God will not be surprised by one thing. We know that everyday that He gives us breath that He has a purpose for our lives. Therefore, we live for His purpose not for ours. We put his agenda ahead of ours and delight in living to serve Him and others.

As I anticipate this year I want to continue to strive ahead for all that the Lord has for me to accomplish. I know that whatever I accomplish it is rooted in the daily habits of reading and meditating on His Word, asking Him for daily doses of wisdom to be prudent in the use of time and energy. My priorities must be aligned with His. Matthew 6:33 tells me to seek God first above anyone or anything else. That is my daily battle because I struggle with the flesh and the world to control my thinking and feelings.

I also want to be a faithful husband to my wife. I want to grow in my love for her and deepen those cords. This year we will celebrate 32 years of wedded bliss! That is hard to believe but it is only because of her patience and God’s faithfulness that we have made it this far.

I want to be faithful to the ministry that God has called me to. It is my desire to grow in my knowledge of the Word of God and its application to my own life and the life of those I have been called to shepherd. I want to continue to be involved in serving the Spanish speaking church, wherever that may be. I am not sure what form that will take but I trust God to open those doors in his timing.

God also surprises us along the way. I am sure that in 2015 he will do the same. What about you? God has given us tremendous opportunities to grow in our relationship with Him and grow in love with others. Pray, be observant, and be involved in His work!

I close this blog with Paul’s prayer for the Romans in that New Testament Epistle, chapter 12:1-2. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Are you ready for the ride?

Pastor Bill

The Responsibility of Pastoral Ministry – Part 1

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To serve the people of God as a Pastor is the greatest blessing (other than my wife and family) that I have had in my life! I have been truly blessed by the friendships that have been formed. Not just a little, pretend blessed but a knock your socks off blessed! Over the next few weeks I want to write on ministering to different segments of the congregation.

Continue reading “The Responsibility of Pastoral Ministry – Part 1”

How to Help Your Pastor

Call me Mr. Obvious but the life of Pastor is full of challenges. Yes, sometimes Pastors are their own worst enemies. Sometimes, they are not as humble as they should be, they overvalue their own importance, they also accept the praise of people instead of deflecting it to the One who has really deserves it.
Continue reading “How to Help Your Pastor”

Always and in Everything

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Really? Always…and…in everything? You can’t be serious!

That is my first reaction as I read Ephesians 5:20, “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What an unbelievable statement! My question is: “Who can do that?”
Continue reading “Always and in Everything”

Back To Basics

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Something just doesn’t add up!

Mathematics was never was one of my strongest subjects in high school. It is embarrassing to say so but…I was in the remedial class.  There I said it, whew, I feel much better for having bared my soul to you! But one thing that I did learn was that if you do this you will get that.  It is the law of cause and effect.  It is black and white, the answer is either right or wrong.

Continue reading “Back To Basics”

You Are Loved

The Cross of Christ

It is by far the greatest news EVER!  Imagine, if you will, being trapped for years and years and unable to find anyway to escape. There is nothing you can do to get out. Think of prisoners of war who were held captive for years behind bars unable to be released until they were liberated by soldiers from their side.

What if, that P.O.W, would say, “No, thanks for all that you have done in making the effort to rescue me but I will prefer to stay here.”  What?  That would be insane!  That would not make any sense!

Continue reading “You Are Loved”

The King

CrownSome kings are despots who care nothing for their subjects.  They are in it totally for selfish gain.  Others are much more benevolent in caring for the poor and for the overall good will of the community.  None, whether good or selfish, can match the absolute grace and humility that Jesus embodied when he entered Jerusalem to the cheers of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:13).

Jesus could have commanded the company of legions, and legions of angels to prepare the way, but he did not.  He could have commanded the most impressively beautiful, strong horse to ride into the city, but he chose a donkey.  But we shouldn’t be surprised, for the three years of his earthly ministry he talked about those who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. Not the powerful, not the rich and not the famous; rather it would be those who are the ones who serve others first.  Jesus spoke of the meek inheriting the earth, not the movers and shakers of society.Continue reading “The King”

Experiencing God’s Love

ImageTo this day I am surprised by it.  Are you?  It is the one thing that you and I have the greatest need for but we look for it in all the wrong places.  We were born with the innate desire to be loved.  It absolutely shocks me what people will do to get it.

Continue reading “Experiencing God’s Love”