Category Archives: Pastor’s Desk

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul once sat down to put on paper his thoughts about what serving Jesus Christ meant to him. When he did, his reflection caused him to take in the whole of his experience with God in … Continue reading →

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Have you ever had any serious reflection about how loving parents can take in stride verbal abuse and other teenage acting out from their children? Have you ever wondered how, on the morning after you spouted … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Revelation 5:4-5 As appropriate as all the types of weeping are, I want to draw your attention to another type of weeping, one that results in longing tears. 1 Samuel 1:7 describes the tears Hannah shed because she … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Revelation 5:4-5 The Apostle John discovered that it is not always appropriate to weep, but King Solomon wrote: [There is] “A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance” … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 What an Arrangement What is your arrangement with God, brothers and sisters? How much do you love God? If God blessed you in terms of how you invested your time, talents, and finances, would He … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 What a Grace – Continued Unless you are aware of the reality of God, it truly is a waste of time to attend church. Jesus stated this in His Word, “God is Spirit, and those … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 What a Secret – Continued The Word lets us know that by nature, human beings are self-centered, narrow-minded, and greedy. Grace enables us, God’s grace and not ours, to say when it comes to giving … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 What a Contrast – Continued An old expression goes, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” There’s always somebody worse off than you. You may be … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 The churches in Macedonia were far more generous than what seemed reasonable. That is what the Apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian church. Not what he and his comrades expected, but more. In fact, … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:12-25 God Can Give Us Sufficient Courage for Every Situation We Face Read Philippians 1:19-25 for insight into this section. As you read this section of Paul’s letter, you see this is not the whimper of one … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:12-25 God Can Use Our Problems to Encourage Others – Continued Read Philippians 1:14-18 for insight into this section. The lesson here is clear: God often uses the problems that envelop us to encourage others in life’s … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:12-25 God Can Use Our Problems to Encourage Others Read Philippians 1:14-18 for insight into this section. Roman persecution of the Christians had not yet become severe or widespread. Ominous signs did foretell its coming, but Nero … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:12-25 God Can Put a Silver Lining in Every Dark Cloud – Continued Read Philippians 1:12-13 for insight into this section. During one of his most difficult experiences, as the darkness of uncertainty settled around him in … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:12-25 During life’s daylight hours, when we are lighthearted and full of life, we don’t take time to listen. But when the sunlight fades in some sorrow or difficult experience, God gets our attention and in the … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 9:22 The Death of Christ Is the Atonement of God for Our Sins What is the meaning of the death of our Lord? This is God’s redemption for our souls. This is God’s way for our salvation. … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 9:22 What is the crucifixion of the Son of God on the cross? What happened on Golgotha, on Calvary? Is this a dramatic play like the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Macbeth or King Lear? What is this that … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 9:22 The secular and material world is bold and blatant in its rejection of the gospel of atoning blood. They refuse and repudiate the whole message of redemption, stating their opposition bluntly, rudely, and brutally. They say … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Malachi 1:2-5 From Last Lesson: Have you noticed how quick we are to blame God for things He has nothing to do with? But what about the crack addict himself? Can’t we blame him? Some will be quick … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Malachi 1:2-5 Where was God’s love for the little girl from yesterday’s story? Shouldn’t His love have stopped this man from ravaging her family? Shouldn’t His love have stopped this man from becoming addicted to crack? Shouldn’t His … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Malachi 1:2-5 It is remarkable, in view of Israel’s sin, that God’s first message to them in this book is that He loves them. His love is a historical love that goes back to their ancestor Jacob, who … Continue reading →