He had a great time of fellowship at the house today. Fellowship is so important in the body of Christ. Everyone of us should make it a priority to make sure that we have friends in the Lord because that provides strength for each of us. Friends. How wonderful they are!! Praise God for a good day. PB
Awake at 3:00am.
Once again the steroids play havoc on my system and I am wide awake most of the night. So after fighting it, I get up and spend some time with the Lord. Today I looked again at John 15. It tells me that I am to abide in Jesus and obey His commands. One of the commands is loving each other. Think of all the problems we would solve in churches if we loved each other.Jesus says that by this all men will know that we are His disciples.
Think of the power that would draw people in because of our love for one another. Think about it next time some church person says something to you that doesn’t set well. Love one another. Let’s see what God can do in us. PB
Posted in love one another
Leave a comment
Truly Thankful
Today I got to have my blood tested and had a chemo shot. What a great day. I got to witness to the phlebotomist. But what really made me thankful was watching a group of young women probably in their late twenties receiving chemo. They had such a good attitude that I thought I have nothing to complain about in my 60s having cancer. Praise God. I am learning so much. PB
Posted in Cancer
7 Comments
The keys
In Revelation 1: 17, Jesus tells John to not be afraid. The key to that statement rests in Jesus’ comment that He holds the keys of death and Hades. That is pretty comforting to me because I serve my Lord Jesus and He’s not letting death close to me until He says its time and I can live with that. Praise God.
Posted in Revelation
Leave a comment
Every eye will see him
We started the study of Revelation tonight and I can’t believe how powerful it is. The message of Revelations has so much to say to us today to stir us up. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” What a sight that is going to be. it will be good or bad depending on whether you are right with God or not. I hope that you are right. It could be soon. Praise God.
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
The Sentence of death
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 1:3-11 that God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. In this passage Paul was dealing with persecution that took him to the point of death. He calls it the sentence of death but he see that it has a purpose. He says that, “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.”
I have found this passage extremely helpful because about a month ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer. The last month has totally changed my plans and has caused a wonderful dynamic to take place in my life. This happened that I might rely on God, who raised the dead. God can heal me, but he can help me through my affliction. There is no “Woe is me” but I have the attitude of “Wow is He.” Let’s see what God can do through this opportunity.
Now I have a new river of opportunity to share my faith. it is the hospital with the doctor and nurses, the IV room with a captive audience, Quest as I have blood tests, etc. This has been liking studying science but I am the science project. Praise God. I appreciate your prayers as Dana and I work through all the tests.
Posted in Cancer, comfort
6 Comments
You can teach an old dog new tricks!!!
Today I was reading and preparing for my Sunday sermon. As I was studying, the old adage came to mind, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” As I thought about this saying, I thought about how wrong it is. As a senior citizen, we are accused of being “set” in our ways and unable to learn new things. Certainly, many parts don’t work as well as they used to and others parts don’t work at all, but to say that seniors can’t learn is incorrect. In fact, I have seen many teenagers that seem to think just because something is old and dated it is wrong. Teenagers or any age can become attached to a belief system that is incorrect and fails to allow for personal godly growth.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” That is part of what is means to become a Christian. You can change. You can overcome problem areas in your life. You can build a relationship with God. Nothing in this passage says anything about being too old to learn. When God gets ahold of your life, you will change. If you are stuck in your walk with Jesus today. Get closer to God. He will help you change. You can learn new tricks. Pastor Bob
Mother’s Day
Yesterday was mother’s day. My own mother is 94 years old and still doing well. I think about all that she added to my life. It was hard for her because she had to deal with an alcoholic husband, work a job, and somehow keep the house together. She taught me so many things. She taught me about persistence. When she went to nursing school back in 1939, she said she wasn’t the brightest but she determined that she would make them kick her out but she wasn’t quitting.
She applied that strategy to her marriage. Though it was tough, she didn’t quit. Her persistance provide a solid example for me when I entered flight training, seminary, and now pastoring a church. Some things required the determination of Rocky (Can you hear the music). Rocky didn’t fight that well but he didn’t quit. That’s the way I want to be, a fighter for God. When I get knocked down I get up and keep going, with God’s help. Many people are smarter and more talented but I don’t ever want to quit before God’s timing.
How are you doing today? Don’t quit. Keep fighting to know God and be everything He wants you to be. See ya soon. Pastor Bob
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
The Ablazing Race
In just a few days, I will be running a 5k trail run called “The Ablazing Race.” When I run races, I run with about everything I have. I would be fast except for the extra pounds that I am carrying. The Apostle Paul speaks of running a race in 1Corinthians 9:24.
He says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Later Paul would say, ” Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
The Apostle Paul knew that it would take all he had to be what God wanted him to be. Maximum effort. Today in many churches we preach an easy gospel that requires nothing of the believer. Paul preached a gospel that required maximum effort. I think Paul is correct, so run with everything that you have for God. See you soon. Pastor Bob
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Perception
Perception is defined as, “The act or faculty of perceiving, or apprehending by means of the senses or of the mind; cognition; understanding.” In a few days we will celebrate one of the biggest events in history, the resurrection of Christ. The death and resurrection of Christ were the most misunderstood events in history. They still are. Many see Jesus as a false prophet. Others view Him as just a prophet but don’t follow what Jesus preaches. Still others view Him as savior but their actions fail to line up with their beliefs.
In Luke 24:13 we read of two men walking alone the road discussing the recent events that took place in Jerusalem. Jesus joins these men and has an enlightening conversation with them. They had been all wrong about what Jesus was trying to accomplish. They had incorrect perceptions about the Christ. Once Jesus explained the prophecies about Himself their views were changed.
Maybe today you are struggling with your perceptions about who Jesus is. Just remember that He paid the price on Calvary for you….and me. Seek Him and He will be found by you. God Bless. Pastor Bob
Pastor Bob 