Pastor’s Blog

Daily Devotional June 7, 2023

Posted on Jun 7, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So, God granted him what he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV)

Following the publication of his book, The Prayer of Jabez, in 2000, Bruce Wilkinson noted a concern. Many who read the book misunderstood the intentions of Jabez’ prayer because of three words: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and ENLARGE MY TERRITORY…” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV). Enlarge my territory became understood as, “Grant me more wealth” or “Expand my power” or “Make me a success.” Sadly, Jabez’ prayer became the mantra for those who espouse a “Prosperity Theology.”

Daily Devotional June 6, 2023

Posted on Jun 6, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.” (John 20:31, GNT).

A few weeks back, my daughter and son-in-law celebrated their first-year wedding anniversary by taking a trip to southern Florida. They had an uninterrupted stretch of rest and relaxation. Well, minus one exception.

Daily Devotional May 26, 2023

Posted on May 26, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along. Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow.” (Mark 4:36-38, CEB)

In 2004, I was traveling with a group of missionaries back to a local guesthouse in Haiti. As our bus was preparing to turn left onto a side street, a group of young Haitian men pulled alongside. Led by a police car with siren blaring, a caravan of shiny SUV’s laid on their horns. With smoke glass windows rolled half-way down, these thugs displayed their automatic weapons.

Daily Devotional May 25, 2023

Posted on May 25, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, CEB)

In 2005, a German long jumper named Bianca Kappler competed at the European Indoor Championships. During the competition, Bianca created quite a stir within the sport of track and field. Initially, Bianca was awarded the gold medal for jumping a record 22 feet, 10 inches. The next closest competitor came in at only 21 feet, 11 inches. But Bianca Kappler stunned the sporting world when she refused the gold medal.

Daily Devotional May 24, 2023

Posted on May 24, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends.” (Hebrews 10:32-33, MSG)

Several years ago, I had a conversation with an elderly member of my congregation. I asked, “Do you miss the good, old days? I’m talking days without the hustle and hurry of life. Days when neighbors knew and cared about one another. Days when life was simpler.”

Daily Devotional May 23, 2023

Posted on May 23, 2023 in Pastor's Blog |

“…‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ “. (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

I lived in Texas for the better part of a year. On my days off I would drive throughout Central Texas. I enjoyed seeing the breathtaking views of the Hill Country.

While traveling alongside the Guadalupe River, I came upon an unusual sight. A long line of cowboy boots was sitting atop a row of fenceposts. I had heard that cowboys leave their boots to convey messages to passersby.