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Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Sunday Apr 13, 2025
Have you ever considered the question, "What is God's will for my life?" That is a serious question! When I was in college at a Christian school, this was the 'hot topic' for many of the sermons we heard during group Chapel. Preachers would talk loud and long about how important it was to find and live out God's will for our lives. There were formulas for success; some made sense, and others seemed silly and even simplistic. The whole idea was that God's will was some 'plan for our lives,' giving purpose to our existence, leading us to the right job or career, and even to the correct made. The idea that if we followed God's will for our lives, He would bless us and make us happy, and we would have a good life was also always part of the sermon. Finding and following God's will was essential for the person of faith!
By the time of the crucifixion, Jesus was very concerned about God's will for his life! He loved God, wanted to please God, and knew God had a 'plan' for his life. So, he spent much time in prayer and study of the scriptures and served others in need, all in the belief that these were the actions of God. For Jesus, the will of God was a steady march to the cross, that he might be the sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Jesus, somewhere along the way, had discerned God's will for him: He would live a life totally devoted to God, without sin. He would be arrested and tried in court, beaten, scourged, and mocked by the crowds. Finally, he would be crucified as a criminal and, on the cross, bear the cost of all our sins. He would be the Messiah, the promised savior!
Here are a few of his final words that show us that his end on the cross was an act of faith and fully a part of God's plan for him: Just a couple of minutes before he breathed his last, the scriptures record: "A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. When Jesus received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit."
God's will for Jesus was a call to obedience, self-sacrifice, and suffering.
Here are a couple of great truths that might help us in our lives as we seek and find God's will for our own lives:
First, God's will may not always be easy or enjoyable! God may call us to endure difficult circumstances and suffer in some way. It may be to complete an unpleasant task or be in the presence of people you do not like. We must remind ourselves that the purpose of God's will is to obey his leadership and complete the task to which we are called. God's will is not the pursuit of happiness; rather, it is to fulfill God's plan for us; our happiness or fulfillment is merely the result of living out God's will!
Another truth is that when we follow God's will, our lives are given a greater purpose than just the concerns of our small circle. God is concerned with the timeless, eternal values taught in scripture and how humanity is affected when people live by them. When we live out God's will, the spiritual truths in the scriptures come to life: lives are saved, cultures are influenced for good, and God is glorified. It can be a truly miraculous event when God's will is fulfilled!
Your best life is experienced when you seek out, find, and live God's will. It is found as you seek Him in your life and trust what He teaches you in the scriptures!
Your support is invaluable in spreading our ministry's message. By sharing our podcasts, you help build a strong community of believers. We appreciate your contributions and encourage you to inspire others to join our mission. Your involvement keeps our community connected and thriving.
Your financial support is the backbone of our ministry, funding outreach, facility upkeep, and resources. Your generosity fuels our mission, making a real impact. Give here: https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Stay updated by downloading our App: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms keep you engaged and connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to this journey with you—see you next week!
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
In one of His final moments on the cross, Jesus speaks powerful words found in John 19:26-27—words that show His deep love, compassion, and purpose. Join us as we explore how Jesus remembered His mother, cared for her, and honored her, even in His suffering. Through this act, He not only fulfilled His duty as a son but also revealed the heart of God and invited us into a greater spiritual family. This is a message of love, connection, and invitation—one that still speaks to us today.
Your support is invaluable in spreading our ministry's message. By sharing our videos, you help build a strong community of believers. e appreciate your contributions and encourage you to inspire others to join our mission. Your involvement keeps our community connected and thriving.
Your financial support is the backbone of our ministry, funding outreach, facility upkeep, and resources. Your generosity fuels our mission, making a real impact. Give here: https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Stay updated by downloading our App: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms keep you engaged and connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to this journey with you—see you next week!
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
I grew up in a large family, where I was number 5 out of 6; the youngest was my little sister, a pretty, quiet little blonde who went through a several-year period of frailty and illness, which she eventually outgrew. Interestingly, due to her physical condition, she lived with a persistent, irrational fear that our parents were going to die and leave our family without anyone to care for us. She would cling to our mother, day after day, worrying about mom dying and leaving her; she was beside herself! Fortunately, everyone stayed healthy, and she grew up to become strong and outgoing and lived a confident and happy life.
I've often thought about her concern for our parents' premature deaths. What was going on with her? Why was she so afraid? And, to be sure, don't many of us live with some nagging fears in the back of our minds that someone might die prematurely?
One of the greatest gifts that God has given us through Jesus, in addition to the gift of salvation through the Gospel message, is the conviction that when we die, God will take care of us! This is a gift that literally 'keeps on giving,' as all of us face the possibility of death every day of our lives, even when we don't think about it!
Here is one of the passages in the Bible upon which this conviction is based: The scene is focused on Jesus hanging on the cross hours before his death. People are mocking Jesus and taunting him, as is another thief hanging on an adjacent cross. He says to Jesus, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" In response, a different thief, hanging on another cross, says to him, "Do you not even fear God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" Here is Jesus' response to the thief who asked him for help, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43
That is one of the clearest passages in the Bible which speaks of the Christian belief in life after death, "Today, you shall be with me." Jesus, nearing his own death, not only comforts another facing his own mortality, he offers us all lasting words, solace, and hope as we consider our own deaths!
We are aware that we shall die at some point in the future, as will everyone! Because of the unknown concerning death, there is an almost unlimited fear and discomfort with this truth, and literally hundreds of differing religious and philosophical notions that deal with the question of "what happens when I die?" But this one passage, spoken by The One whom we believe to be the Son of God, with power, answers clearly, without any details, "Today, you shall be with me in Paradise." \
The unnamed 'thief on the cross' could face his own death without fear simply because he had expressed his faith in Jesus! He didn't have all the details, to be sure, but Jesus said he would never be alone. Too, Jesus' words communicated no delays or complicated timelines: he would be in paradise "today." And finally, the word paradise conveys an image of a place of peace, rest, and joy. For those with faith in Jesus, life after death will be an eternal gift from God, based on God's love expressed through Jesus on the cross. We do not have to 'earn' this gift; we merely receive it by faith, as did the thief on the cross.
Won't you receive Jesus' offer of eternal life today? Trust in him, and live forever!
Your support is invaluable in spreading our ministry's message. By sharing our podcasts, you help build a strong community of believers. e appreciate your contributions and encourage you to inspire others to join our mission. Your involvement keeps our community connected and thriving.
Your financial support is the backbone of our ministry, funding outreach, facility upkeep, and resources. Your generosity fuels our mission, making a real impact. Give here: https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Stay updated by downloading our App: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms keep you engaged and connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to this journey with you—see you next week!
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
I recently read through an online discussion regarding God's forgiveness. The format was simple: The question posed was: According to Christianity, will criminals like rapists, serial killers, and school shooters go to Heaven if they ask God for forgiveness before dying?" Predictably, the answers and opinions varied widely!
Here are a few examples of the hundreds of responses given:
"If someone sincerely repents of their sins, they are forgiven."
"Asking for forgiveness" isn't enough; they must repent in their heart – their core, and be changed. God sees through BS. But yes, they can change."
"Yeah, but it's not that simple."
Many more posted a 'traditional' approach to forgiveness – "If you confess your sins to God and repent, you will be forgiven." At the same time, though, some gave the opposite response:
"It sounds like the opposite of justice to give rapists and murderers and get out of jail free care, yet good people who don't believe in God will be tortured for eternity in hell. This is not good, moral, or justice."
"I hope not."
"Absolutely no criminals deserve to see Satan forever that is a terrible falsehood."
It is obvious from these responses that, for many people, their ideas of forgiveness are based upon their emotions or reactions to another's actions instead of biblical teaching! Importantly, the Bible teaches us the eternal truths of God, especially regarding the correct understanding of forgiveness. Here is just one passage from the words of Jesus that should be allowed to influence the common understanding of forgiveness: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 Jesus said these words as he hung on the cross, not long before his death. Jesus had been lied about, arrested and beaten, and now nailed to the cross, a reputed 'criminal'! But as he hung there, his lifeblood draining out of him, he prayed to God that those involved would be forgiven. This simple prayer, "Father, forgive them," can give us profound insight into the forgiveness that comes from God.
First, the forgiveness that comes from God is based upon God's character. The Bible teaches us that "God is love," and Jesus offering forgiveness to those who hung him on the cross demonstrates the type of selfless, "agape" love from God. It is more than mere emotion; it is a commitment to another's well-being.
Another truth from these words of Jesus is that God's love is unlimited and retroactive. Jesus prayed for God to forgive them all, regardless of their situation. They were unrepentant, some were Jews, and others were Romans, but it did not matter – Jesus prayed for all of them, no questions asked!
Finally, God's forgiveness is forever; as the Psalmist said, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." 103:12
God loves us and has directed Jesus to deliver a message of absolute forgiveness to all humanity; this is the reason for the message of the cross! God loves us, Jesus prays for us, and as we respond to his offer of salvation, he forgives us and cleanses us from sin.
Let me encourage you to follow Jesus and receive the forgiveness that comes from God; you can be made new and start over in this life!
Your support is invaluable in spreading our ministry's message. By sharing our videos, you help build a strong community of believers. e appreciate your contributions and encourage you to inspire others to join our mission. Your involvement keeps our community connected and thriving.
Your financial support is the backbone of our ministry, funding outreach, facility upkeep, and resources. Your generosity fuels our mission, making a real impact. Give here: https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Stay updated by downloading our App: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms keep you engaged and connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to this journey with you—see you next week!
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
Sunday Mar 09, 2025
I often think of one of my favorite hymns, that goes like this:
What can wash away my sin?" with a refrain, "Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
The song is simple yet profound in its meaning—the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, is God's way of washing away the guilt and stain of sin in our lives!
In one of the Apostle Paul's letters to the church at Corinth, he spoke on the issue of the blood of Jesus. Here is some of what he said:
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound."
20 Where is the wise person? Here is the scribe. Here is the debater of this age: as God did not make foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Paul explained that the wisdom of God, as manifested through the Cross of Christ, was a "stumbling block" to the Jews, and the Gentiles as well. On the cross, Jesus, the Son of God, shed his blood for us. Through his death and resurrection, God worked to cleanse us of the guilt of sin, pay the penalty of the sin of humanity, and, finally, conquer death for us all. This is the Gospel message! It is all based upon the work of Jesus on the cross; His blood, shed for us on the cross, is God's plan to save humanity.
The Jews resist this message, because it means that their religious experiences and rituals, and their lineage as the 'people of God,' cannot save them. Too, the Gentiles rebel against the message of the cross, because the wisdom of this world, and the accomplishments of man, cannot separate them from the guilt of their sin. Only the message of the cross can save anyone!
Modern man has a problem when confronted with talk of the "blood of Jesus;" that sort of talk seems so outdated and barbaric! However, this is the wisdom of God that guides us, invites God's power to work in our lives, and enables us to live in a relationship with God, both now and in the life that is to come.
Here is another passage from the Apostle Paul, this time from his letter to the church at Rome. "But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. Romans 5:8-9
Let us all accept this wisdom that is from God, and live!
Your support is invaluable in spreading our ministry's message. By sharing our podcasts, you help build a strong community of believers. e appreciate your contributions and encourage you to inspire others to join our mission. Your involvement keeps our community connected and thriving.
Your financial support is the backbone of our ministry, funding outreach, facility upkeep, and resources. Your generosity fuels our mission, making a real impact. Give here: https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Stay updated by downloading our App: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms keep you engaged and connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to this journey with you—see you next week!
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
Sunday Mar 02, 2025
It is sometimes hard to follow Jesus!
In the book of Acts in the Bible, we find a record of events in the early Church. One story, found in chapter 16, tells of an episode in the life of Paul the Apostle and his associate Silas. These two preachers of the Gospel were traveling through the city of Philippi, and they were being followed by a group of men who 'owned' a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. This young girl followed Paul and Silas for days, shouting to anyone who would hear, "These men are bondservants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation." At first, this did not cause a problem. Still, she was so insistent and intrusive that Paul finally stopped her and cast out the Spirit of divination, driving her to speak. Her owners were enraged, of course, because their slave girl could no longer service and entertain the crowds that she gathered, which had been bringing in quite a bit of income. The girl's owner got the law involved, and Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison.
Later that night, around midnight, Paul and Silas were singing hymns and shouting praise to God, worshiping Him. The other prisoners were enjoying the music, and in the middle of this impromptu 'concert,' the ground began shaking, the jail walls trembled, the shackles fell off their bodies, and the jail cell door came open. The jailer was roused from his sleep and, when he saw that the prisoners were free, took up his sword to kill himself. (The penalty for failure in the Roman army was death!) Paul cried out to him, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!" The jailer rushed in with a lantern, fell at their feet, and, seeing them free and standing, spoke these eternal words, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The answer to his question was simple and life-changing: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." 16:31 The jailer took them to his house to meet his family, and they all received the Gospel and became baptized believers in the Church!
This story exposes us to a few of the tremendous truths of God's message of salvation in Jesus:
First, God wants everyone to be saved! Paul and Silas were on a mission to spread the Gospel message to anyone who would listen, Jew and Gentile alike. God loves everyone and can save anyone who might call upon Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. Another truth is simple: Any follower of Jesus can lead others to know Christ as Savior. Paul was not a "priest" in the formal sense of the word; he was merely a believer in Jesus and could lead the jailer and his family to faith. Another truth that might not be so welcomed is that following Jesus may bring hardship and suffering into one's life! Paul and Silas simply preached a message of love and forgiveness. They led the jailer and his family to know Christ as Savior. However, those in power stood against the Gospel message and beat and imprisoned them both. God delivered them, to be sure, but this was not a pleasant experience for these two preachers!
This story from Acts 16 is one of many in the Bible that explains Jesus' life-saving message. Jesus came and lived, died, and lived again for everyone. Like the jailer, we can be saved by inviting Jesus into our hearts and committing our lives to follow him. Let me encourage you to follow Him today!
Your support is invaluable in spreading our ministry's message. By sharing our podcasts, you help build a strong community of believers. We appreciate your contributions and encourage you to inspire others to join our mission. Your involvement keeps our community connected and thriving.
Your financial support is the backbone of our ministry, funding outreach, facility upkeep, and resources. Your generosity fuels our mission, making a real impact. Give here: https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
Stay updated by downloading our App: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or liking our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms keep you engaged and connected.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to this journey with you—see you next week!
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Sunday Feb 23, 2025
Several years ago, I was getting ready to attend a musical concert at the church where I served as pastor; I and many others were really looking forward to it, as we got a famous guitarist to come and perform, along with his band. It was going to be a great night! Unfortunately, our older building had other plans….
About an hour before the concert started, I got a call from our custodian; our sewer line had blocked up, and our basement was filling with sewage! I thought about canceling the concert, but I knew that many would be disappointed, so I made an executive decision: I would call a group of men in the congregation to help me did up and repair the pipe in the dark while the concert was going on in our main building! I was able to get 8 or 9 men to agree to bring their picks and shovels and help me repair, and we would start just as soon as we could; hopefully, we would be finished before too late in the evening, and the building would be ready for our services the following day. (It was, of course, Saturday night!)
We arrived just before dusk, and it was apparent, as we began to process of finding the stoppage in the pipe, that darkness was coming soon. We decided to circle our pickups around the site and dig by the light of our headlights. We moved our trucks and began to dig. At first, there were complaints and a few grumbles. Then something happened – people started telling stories of similar problems in their homes, a few sewer-related jokes were told, and we all began talking and laughing – we were having a good time! We dug a large hole, tore out, and replaced a section of the old pipe leading to our septic system (a rural site). Before 10:30 p.m. or so, we were filling in the hole and ended up standing around for a few minutes, talking about the good times we'd had working together. I thanked them all for their gifts of time, energy, and hard work, led them in a short prayer of thanksgiving, and we all went home, tired and dirty, to be sure, but affirmed in our faith and in the task we'd done for God's church. To this day, it is still one of my fonder memories of ministry!
The reason the event meant so much to me and the others there that night was that we were united – we didn't fuss over church business or politics, and the personality differences that often messed up our fellowship were simply ignored – the task at hand, and the demonstration of faith that those men made that night, united us in a way that we talked about for some time. One man, who seldom said anything positive, even commented, "This is one of the best times I've had at church in a long time." We all laughed out loud when he said that!
The story expresses the idea that when people give up their time, money, or efforts, they are stronger as a group, they can get things done, and their relationships are better. Giving makes us better!
This is a very scriptural lesson when you think about it. In his first letter, John wrote a sentence he repeated twice: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." I John 4:11 Later, he wrote, "We love because He first loved us." I John 4:19, God's love for us was best expressed through the gift of his son, Jesus! He came and lived and sacrificed his life for us all, that he might save us from sin and give us eternal life. Based on that gift, God desired that we follow His lead and love each other. In other words, because we had received the greatest gift from God, He wanted us to 'return the favor' by loving others. God loved, and so He gave, and He wants us to do the same!
Let me encourage you to receive the gift of life God has offered in his son, Jesus. And, as an act of faith and obedience, give a gift of love, help, and service to others. Giving will make you better!
Your support is invaluable in spreading the message of our ministry. By sharing our podcasts with your friends and family, you play a significant role in building a community of believers who find strength in our shared faith. We sincerely appreciate your contributions and urge you to inspire others to join us in this mission. Your involvement is significant and integral to our ministry's success, helping to keep our community connected and thriving.
Your financial contributions are the backbone of our ministry. They enable us to run outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. Your generosity is a testament to your commitment to our mission, and we deeply value your role in making this ministry a reality. Your contributions are used with transparency and accountability, making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. You can contribute here https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
To stay updated on all things FBC, download our App here: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms are not just for information but also engagement. They are a great way to connect with our community, support our mission, and be part of our journey.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to continuing this journey with you as an integral part of our ministry. See you next week!
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
I recently heard a story of a young couple who began to feel that their well-funded, organized, all-American lifestyle was starting to feel empty and meaningless. So, they decided to have children, which ultimately didn't work out, as they could not conceive. The next step for them was taking care of foster children and then adopting a couple of their foster kids. Along the way of working in the foster care system, though, they recognized an ongoing problem: most of the young, single mothers who were losing their kids to foster care did not have the ability or resources to do anything for themselves and improve their lives. They began to form a plan for how they might affect a change to this problem.
The couple came up with an idea: they would open their home to the foster system, but instead of just taking in a child with an at-risk mother, they would bring the mother, with her child, into their home for the long term! They would nurture and care for the child and nurture, support, and train the young mother to care for her own child. This was an intrusive, complicated, expensive, and life-changing decision on their part – and they were convinced this was what God was calling them to do!
Their experience with the young mother they 'adopted' and the mother's baby was heartwarming. It was busy and expensive, of course, and interrupted their home life more than they could have imagined. But the positive results were priceless. They formed a forever bond with the young mother and her child and helped her navigate young motherhood. Too, when the young mother began to respond to their nurture and instruction, she grew and matured and took on characteristics that would benefit her and her child for the rest of their lives. Another thing: the young couple performing this 'ministry' to a young family were growing in their faith due to how God worked through their efforts and prayers. As the mother said, she spoke of how she felt God's presence in her life, "I'm just loving him more and more each day."
What a lesson in real-life ministry! When people give of themselves in ministry, they benefit those they serve and grow in their faith as they serve others, open their lives to those in need, and trust in God for strength and guidance. This is precisely what the Bible teaches!
In the book of I Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul speaks of how God had worked in these very ways. The Christians in Philippi had given to his ministry, and when Paul worked in the distant city of Thessalonica, peoples' needs were met, they were nurtured in their faith, and those who worked the ministry were blessed. Paul wrote this, first in Philippians 4: 15-16, "And you also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica, you sent a gift more than once for my needs." Paul here commends the Philippian Christians for their giving to his missionary efforts in Thessalonica. Later, in his letter to the new Christians, he wrote, "You also became imitators of us. . . so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia." I Thessalonians I:6-7. Paul commended the Philippian Christians for giving to the ministry in Thessalonica. He then commended the Thessalonian Christians, who had received generous gifts from the Philippians because they had grown in the faith and were great witnesses of the power of the Gospel!
When you give, others are healed; when you give, you are also healed. This is just one of the reasons God wants us to give to others all our gifts and possessions!
Please give – that God might work in your lives and the lives of others – it is part of God's plan for his people.
Your support is invaluable in spreading the message of our ministry. By sharing our podcasts with your friends and family, you play a significant role in building a community of believers who find strength in our shared faith. We sincerely appreciate your contributions and urge you to inspire others to join us in this mission. Your involvement is significant and integral to our ministry's success, helping to keep our community connected and thriving.
Your financial contributions are the backbone of our ministry. They enable us to run outreach programs, maintain our facilities, and provide resources for our community. Your generosity is a testament to your commitment to our mission, and we deeply value your role in making this ministry a reality. Your contributions are used with transparency and accountability, making a real difference in the lives of those we serve. You can contribute here https://firstbaptistofindependence.aware3.net/give/
To stay updated on all things FBC, download our App here: https://a3a.me/firstbaptistofindependence or like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/1stBaptist/. These platforms are not just for information but also for engagement. They are a great way to connect with our community, support our mission, and be part of our journey.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to continuing this journey with you as an integral part of our ministry. See you next week!
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
Sunday Feb 09, 2025
As I sit in my office, I notice models of cars and motorcycles, along with a few gift books and knick-knacks lining the shelf. Each of these items holds memories for me, collected over my 45 years of ministry. The goofiest gift—and the one I can't help but share the story about—is my "wild moose" coffee cup. It's a large porcelain cup that looks like a bull moose crashed through it, with its head and antlers sticking out one side and its legs sprawled out the other. Flashy, quirky, and definitely not something my wife would permit in our house, it makes me smile every time I see it.
The cup was given to me by a good friend and her husband, who accompanied me on a church youth ski trip to Colorado many years ago. It was late in the day, and several people were resting along the trail. My two friends were there, and as I glanced over at them, they burst into laughter, waving their arms and shouting. I was a novice skier, so I couldn't really look around, but I eventually heard two men calling out to me from behind. When I turned to see the commotion, I found myself face-to-face with a bull moose charging down the hill right behind me, its eyes glaring and nostrils flaring. I stumbled out of the way as the two trailkeepers yelled at the moose, attempting to scare it off the path. I quickly moved as far to the side as I could and joined my friends, who were laughing hysterically at the sight of their nearly trampled pastor. Of course, I lived to tell the story, and the cup they gave me has a special place in my office; it reminds me of a wild time on the slopes of Colorado and, even more importantly, of a cherished memory with two good friends.
You might have something like this in your home or office: a memento from a friend that evokes fond memories from the past. The gift is wonderful, of course, but the shared experience it reminds us of is even better! Gifts have that ability, don't they? Sometimes a gift can help someone through a tough time or fulfill a need; other times, a gift is simply a reminder of a significant moment in your life.
Jesus wanted us to be a 'giving' people! Sometimes, individuals need their physical needs met; at other times, they may require a pat on the back, a shared meal, or a private conversation about what's troubling them. Regardless of the need, making an effort to address someone's needs can have a real impact. Jesus spoke about the act of 'giving' as an expression of faith: "Give to everyone who asks of you, and if they take away what is yours, do not demand it back. Just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:30-38
Jesus, during his Sermon on the Mount, emphasized that his followers should practice generosity and grace in their relationships with others—not because people are inherently good, but to help them and possibly guide them to faith. When we do this, not only are others supported, but there's a real chance that you will receive some form of gift in return from God himself. It may seem counterintuitive, but the old saying, "It is better to give than to receive," remains true. Give generously and selflessly, and experience the blessings of a life lived in obedience to God!
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Thank you for your continued support and involvement. We look forward to continuing this journey with you as an integral part of our ministry. See you next week!