Pastoral Thoughts for New Disciples

Devotional Reading:  Matthew 18:15-20 Sometimes the power we have in Christ is a little overwhelming. The idea that what we do here on earth has an impact in the heavenly realm and visa versa should give us pause.  If I in some way put handcuffs on someone it impacts them in the spiritual realm.  If I in some way release someone from bondage on earth it somehow impacts them in the spiritual realm. Jesus tells us, "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." What do these words mean to you? If my words and actions condemn a fellow believer how does that impact them spiritually?  If my words and actions release or set free a fellow believer how does that impact them spiritually?  If your words and actions either condemn someone or release someone how does that impact them spiritually?  Perhaps the act of forgiveness is more powerful than we even understand! This v...

Devotional Reading:  Daniel 6:1-28 When we think of the story of Daniel and the Lion's Den images of a children's story often come to mind.  But if you sit and read the full text of Daniel 6 you'll discover there is much more to this story than a children's Vacation Bible School lesson.  In fact, it is a story that has been played out over and over throughout history: a group of people wanting to take down a person of authority regardless of the person's integrity or good character.  Daniel was such a man. Daniel lived a live that was above reproach.  His integrity and skill in the political realm allowed him to govern through multiple ruling powers. In this story, Daniel is basically acting as Vice-President to King Darius. His co-presidents and the governors do not like the way he has gained the king's favor and so they decide they are going to find a way to get him out of his place of power.  The problem is that Daniel is a man of integrity and so...

Devotional Reading:  Daniel 9:1-19 Listening to, reading, or watching the news can be depressing. In fact, sometimes we need to take a break from it to refocus on the community and family that is right beside us. But being aware of the trouble in the world isn't always a bad thing.  It is good for us to know that we are broken and need a Savior. In Daniel 9, Daniel recognizes the brokenness of his society and he prays to God on their behalf.  He says, "open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him." Sometimes we need to set aside the news in order to pray on behalf of ourselves. As representative of humanity, we can go to God and say, "I'm sorry on behalf of your people."  God will hear our prayers.  God is a God of mercy who desires for us to repent and as a believer we can repent on behalf of the...

Devotional Reading:  Luke 11:1-13 Do you have the audacity to ask God for the desires of your heart?  Do you have the audacity to ask God for a miracle or for the impossible?  Do you have the audacity to be real with God and to share with God what is really on your mind? A woman went to her friend's home at midnight to ask if she could borrow an air mattress for an unexpected guest to her home. The friend and her entire family were asleep and the doorbell woke them all.  "Why are you bothering me?  Do you realize you just woke up the toddler?" "I'm sorry, but we have unexpected guests and I knew you had an air mattress and could help." What is the friend to do, but dig the air mattress out of the closet and loan it to the woman at her door? Have you ever had a friend put you in a position like that where you had no choice but to say, "yes"? Or perhaps you've had your adult child ask you to make a sacrifice on his behalf and you did...

Dear church family, As I am sure most of you have heard the news, a shooting took place at a church much like our own in Sutherland Springs, Texas.  These tragedies that seem to be occurring more and more frequently are heart-breaking. This one stands out because we can identify as a community. As a pastor, I think about Pastor Frank Pomeroy and what it must have been like for him to receive the news that not only did his daughter die, but his associate pastor, and many of his flock. Based upon video footage from their worship services it appears that he cares deeply for his congregation and I suspect, although it hasn’t been confirmed, that at one point he also cared deeply for Devin, the shooter. And I wonder how a man of such commitment will respond to such tragedy. And I am reminded of the story of Job, likely the oldest recorded story of the Bible.  Job was a man who received news that his children had been killed, his workers killed, and his livelihood destroy...

Devotional Reading:  Luke 18:1-8 Bill Lacovara was fishing when he discovered a bag of unopened prayers.  These were letters to a now deceased pastor requesting his support in prayer. The requests ranged from a desire to win the lottery, to being set free from addiction, to a request for justice, to a plea for God's mercy and forgiveness. Lacovara interpreted these sealed envelopes as unheard prayers. But what he missed was that in writing the prayers the soul of the writer was heard by God. ("Letters to End up In Ocean, Unread," November 3, 2006, Wayne Perry, Associated Press) In today's Scripture reading we are told that if even an unmerciful judge is willing to listen to a case due to a widow's unrelenting requests, we can trust that a God of love and mercy hears our prayers and will respond.  I don't know about you, but I find this story told by Jesus very encouraging.  There are prayers I have prayed over and over again that I believe God has answe...

Devotional Reading: Daniel 10:12-14 Another powerful text!  I am always amazed when I open the Bible and read and go, "Wow!" It doesn't matter how many times one reads through the Bible there is always something new to be gained.  In this passage the resurrected Jesus appears to Daniel prior to God's Son coming in the famous nativity scene of Jesus' birth!  And this man whose description matches that of Revelation 1, comes after a delay because of a spiritual battle in which the archangel Michael assists.  Wow! Spiritual warfare exists. There is a spiritual realm.  Our prayers do make a difference.