Category Archives: Pastor’s Desk

Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:7-21 The Perfecting of Love The presence of God in us is the way love is “perfected among us.” This is with a view to confidence, “boldness in the day of judgment,” and boldness in that … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:7-21 Living in Love John has already told us that it is “by the Spirit” that we know that “He abides in us” (1 John 3:24). He now adds the thought that “we abide in Him.” … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 1 John 4:7-21 Love is very important for John and he puts emphasis on it throughout this letter. Here he does this by drawing attention to the fact that love is rooted in God, who is, in fact, … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 11:1-9; Ephesians 3:1-13 There is no group within the Christian community who has the corner either on God or on truth. Today is a good day to remember that. Christians all over are considering our common calling … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 11:1-9; Ephesians 3:1-13 The revelation God gave Paul was a mystery; and no one before Paul had comprehended it fully. Certainly there had been hints here and there throughout Israel’s history, but as God worked in Paul’s … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 11:1-9; Ephesians 3:1-13 In spite of our verbal commitment to reach out to others in Jesus’ name, Christians have spent a good deal of our evangelistic and missionary energy trying to get persons not just to come … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 11:1-9; Ephesians 3:1-13 When we organize a club or church, we act as if we want everybody to be a part of what we’re going to do; it can be that important to us. In reality, though, … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 11:1-9; Ephesians 3:1-13 It’s rather flattering, isn’t it, to be in some group which seems to receive God’s special favor? Correct or not, many people imagine that this is true of them. Some people say our nation … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 16:20-22 To some degree, Christianity agrees with philosophies which assert that human beings have limited freedom and externally determined destinies. In the world as it is, of course, there is no genuine freedom, and wise is the … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 16:20-22 All celebrations, and religious celebrations especially, begin with a feeling of freedom. Starting with freedom, celebrations at the same time also manifest, embody, and express the deep human thirst for freedom. However, understand that I am … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5; Hebrews 11 Strangers and nomads, foreigners and refugees, and exiles are what the saints of faith were; and such is what we are as believers in a country, a kingdom, that has been promised to each of … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5; Hebrews 11 Faith for Abraham was never a peaceful, gentle, thing. It was a disturbing force compelling him to venture into the unseen. Faith that does not involve risk is not faith. True faith can never be … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5; Hebrews 11 Enoch was one of the grandsons of Adam and the father of Methuselah who lived longer than any other person recorded in the Bible (969 years). Enoch lived a long time, also, 365 years, but … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5; Hebrews 11 “This world is not my home,” people often say, “I’m just a passing through!” It’s a similar sentiment to that often expressed in the spirituals: “Soon I will be done with the troubles of the … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30; Luke 18:1-8 The hurts in our lives are that real, and they can be very severe; they can leave marks of battle on us for the rest of our days on this earth. We very well … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30; Luke 18:1-8 From Last Lesson: Jacob, no doubt, believed that God had brought all of this to him and that God was possibly trying to tell him something through this encounter. We are not surprised, then, … Continue reading →

Scripture: Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30; Luke 18:1-8 The Old Testament story of Jacob and Esau picks up many years later when both are married and heads of their own households. The brothers haven’t seen each other in years, yet they seem … Continue reading →