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The Great And Awesome Promises Of God

5/30/2020

God promises those who are His people that they can depend upon Him in all circumstances and at all times. The Bible tells us that God does not change in Hebrews 13:8 (ESV), “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Since we know this, what makes us think that He will do anything less for us than He did for those of ancient times?

God told Jacob in Genesis 28:15 (ESV), “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

He told Moses when faced by the powerful Egyptian army in Exodus 14:13 (ESV), “And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.”

He tells us today in Matthew 6:34 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

When we trust Him, believe what He tells us, and know with a certainty that God cares for us and that He will take care of us; we can be certain that He will do it, just like He did yesterday, just like He will do today, and just like He will tomorrow.

I have to tell you that I sometimes have anxiety about my needs and worry tries to creep in about the uncertainty of tomorrow. However, when these times come, we need to keep abiding in His Word and read about His great and awesome promises. When we see the history of His provisions for those in the past from Scripture, we can see and feel the stress just melt away. I know and believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God cares for us and will take care of us and our needs.

The promise of God is that He will not allow His children to beg for bread. He will care for our needs and that’s the promise you can claim. Since He took care of our greatest need at Calvary by giving us Christ, then you can be sure He will take care of everything else He considers important for us. Remember, God never leaves us or forsakes us, because He loves us.

Blessings and Stay Safe,

Pastor Chuck

Remember God Cares For Us

5/20/2020

When you read what Jesus said in Matthew 6:26-30 it becomes clear that God cares for His creation and all created things. There are many Bible verses in the Old and New Testament that show God does cares for His creation and cares for His creatures; the plants, birds, creeping things, animals, mammals, and the fish in the sea.

If you have been a Christian for even a short period of time you will realize that God provides for His creatures and cares for them. We also discover that we are of much greater value to Him than they are, and that we’re commanded to stop worrying about our needs.

We have no reason to be anxious about His care for us because Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:26 (ESV) “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

God cares for us more than His created creatures. Since He makes sure they are fed, don’t we believe He will care for us since we’re of a much higher value to Him than they are? I’ve said before that when we have anxieties come upon us, and we all will, then we are should be “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you,” as it says in 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV). This means “all” of our anxieties, not just some of them.

Let’s face it, it’s easier to say but so very hard to do. If you’re worried about anything at all try to think of the creatures of the earth. I was recently talking to someone who is living on their savings account right now because of the economy, but they are trusting in God. Trust me, I know what that is like.

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 (ESV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Remember, God loves you and He will take care of you.

Blessings and Stay Safe,

Pastor Chuck

Breaking The Natural Tendency Toward Anxiety

5/13/2020

I understand that this is a stressful time in the world and many people are worried about what is going to happen next. Have you ever noticed that many people today have a natural tendency to look beyond today, and stress about tomorrow? The problem is, we can’t control or do anything about the issues of tomorrow. Jesus knew this when he said in Matthew 6:25 (ESV), “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

I’ve read about several studies into anxiety, and one such study included more than 68,000 adults over age 35 from 1994 to 2004. Many studies have shown that an anxiety-prone tendency to always react to frustration, loss, or threat with negative emotions shortens a person’s lifespan.

Life’s issues can have a significant effect on long-term health and well-being, depending on how we deal with them. How you react today can predict your chronic health conditions ten years into the future. Research shows that overreacting, constantly worrying, and living in a state of perpetual anxiety can reduce life expectancy.

If our worry gets out of control, our mind places us into a fight or flight response (our bodies way of preparing us to survive), we can have a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and a slower digestion of food. When our body remains in that state of chronic stress, it can cause health conditions like high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and cardiovascular diseases.

Now, look at the rhetorical question Jesus asks in Matthew 6:27 (ESV), “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

The obvious answer is we can’t add a single hour to our lives. But we can worry about things to a point of anxiety that it can shorten our lifespan as it creates stress and weakens our immune system.

If we want to obey Jesus, we need to do what His Word tells us to do and follow His command in Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

This “do not be anxious” is an imperative command and we could read it like this; “Stop being anxious about tomorrow.”

Jesus concludes this paragraph by commanding us all to do this in Matthew 6:34 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Remember to give your worries over to The Lord and allow Him to dissipate your stress into His peace that passes all our understanding.

Blessings,

Pastor Chuck

We Need God’s Perfect Peace

5/6/2020

No matter what the current crisis is in the world, there is usually an over-abundance of reporting and talk that can steal your joy and peace of mind. Well, with each new COVID-19 update that I receive seems to bring another wave of drastic change in the world and our society. Between school closings, business shutdowns, and alerts about infection rates, life has been completely turned upside-down in just a short time.

I’ve watched protests for and against the stay-at-home orders by state and local governments around the nation. It’s especially disheartening to see how some people are acting in unpeaceful ways, and say things they would not normally say in regular situations.

It’s difficult trying to navigate the uncharted waters through an ocean of information, and it’s quite difficult to focus on anything else. Regardless of the actual impact of what is going on, and what is reported, as Christians we need to act according to the Word of God. Colossians 3:17 (NASB) says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

It really hit home this weekend when a pastor friend of mine posted a picture of a lovely family in his Reno area church. The young mother in the picture died this past Friday from COVID-19 complications. Another friend let me know of three family friends who passed away due to the virus as well. Then, another friend just now told me that her mother just passed away on her birthday, but she can’t go visit her father because he has been exposed to the virus.

It can be very heart-wrenching, unsettling, and downright scary, but we can still have peace through all the storms of life. Remember, Jesus is a storm calmer (see Mark 4:35-41).

While you stay informed of world news, you also have an opportunity to read the latest updates from your Father God. His Word is filled with important news that can shape your day and change your life; for the better.

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) says, You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Having “Perfect peace.” Doesn’t that sound great to you right now? I’m talking about a sense of peace that things will be okay even when the world says otherwise. To experience a calming serenity; to know, without a doubt, that we can find safety in the arms of a loving Father.

We need to trust in The Lord and God will give us His perfect peace. He patiently waits for us to ask Him for what we need. He desires to be acknowledged, sought after, and prioritized over everything else in this life, including the coronavirus.

He wants us to trust Him. You see, trust requires a shift in our focus. A “letting go” and surrendering of our worries to Him. Trust is a choice we make to spend time reading the Bible and praying. Trust is a decision to hear from God’s Word before tuning in to the distracting voices of the world.

Trusting God is a willingness to invest in our relationship with Him. There, in His presence, we will find perfect peace.

Unlike many of the news stories of the media. the Bible is filled with great news, like how to find perfect peace that can shape our day in a positive way. It’s news that equips us and guides us. News that gives us the wisdom we need to turn our lives right-side-up again. It’s daily news from God’s Word that will shape each day into a life-giving way.

Romans 12:2 (NASB) tells us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

God desires for us to be refreshed by Scripture and to trust in Him to provide everything we need. Accept the Perfect Peace of Jesus today and don’t be disheartened. John 14:27 (NIV), “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Blessings, Peace, and Stay Safe,

Pastor Chuck

Grow Stronger In Your Life

5/2/2020

The coronavirus pandemic overwhelms all of our news outlets and consumes many of our thoughts.  It’s sad to say that the COVID-19 situation has affected nearly everything we do, which includes the ways we worship together as God’s people. However, not everything about these days has to be negative. There are some things we can do that will help us through this mess.

I have been thinking about some goals to help us grow stronger during these times. I encourage each of you to adopt some of these goals in the unsteady times ahead.
Allow God to strengthen you and consider doing some of these helpful hints:

1.         Grow Stronger In Your Bible Reading.
Much of our lives are full of things to do, and some things may be taking more time than it used to, but we may also have fewer interruptions today than we did two months ago, especially if you are quarantined at home. Most people have fewer outside duties right now as well. Spend extra time reading your Bible to grow stronger in your Bible intake.

2.         Grow Stronger In Your Bible Study.
As a result of so many live-streamed services and pre-recorded Bible studies, people can fill their time listening to other people. This is great that we have many the resources.

I do want to encourage you that it would also be a great idea to spend time doing your own deeper study into God’s Word. Pull out a commentary, look one up online if you don’t have one, and start studying on your own. You will be surprised what you learn.

3.         Grow Stronger In Your Family Commitment.
Because everything has shut down, many families have extra time to spend together. You may miss going to social events, but you’ve gain time to go for a walk, ride a bike, and read books together and discuss what you have just read. Something else you can do is call family members, send an email, or talk to your neighbors on the phone. Outside your family, remember social distancing (I know I don’t like that terms too well, but there is some wisdom in following it right now).  Don’t miss the privilege this crisis gives you to spend extra time with your family.

4.         Grow Stronger In Your Prayer Life.
Crises have a way of reminding us of the need to pray. But, this time of distancing also keeps us away from our church members, and when they are sick.  Spend extra time in prayer during these days as you cry to the Lord to protect and heal you, your family members, church members, friends, neighbors, the lost, and deliver our world from this pandemic.

Pray for me too. It’s challenging enough to prepare sermons and teaching lessons, but to also work, record the messages, etc.  Pray and God will strengthen your prayer life all the more.

5.         Grow Stronger Physically.
Commit to coming out of this time of shutdown in better physical condition than when we went into it.

This takes effort because people are cooking lots of good food in their house these days, and that can cause problems of its own. We should also make time to go for walks or run if you like doing that). Maybe look up some exercise videos (even walking videos in place) on the internet. Do something to keep your body fit because it helps your mind stay fit.

Remember, the Coronavirus is going to change things around us in many different ways. There is a lot about this time of distancing ourselves from others that is hard, and some of it has many people scared. You don’t have to give up. Make time to get stronger. You won’t regret it.  You can make sure some of the changes in your own life are positive and God will strengthen you.

The Great And Awesome Promises Of God

Remember God Cares For Us

Breaking The Natural Tendency Toward Anxiety

We Need God’s Perfect Peace

Grow Stronger In Your Life

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