Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Something to think about.
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out." Jack Buck
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday May 1st
God’s will is my pleasure
At 32 John G. Paton accepted the call to missionary service in the New Hebrides in the South Pacific. In March 1858 he married Mary Ann Robson, and on April 16 they sailed together for the cannibal island of Tanna. In less than a year they had built a little home and Mary had given birth to a son. But on March 3, 1859, one year after their marriage, Mary died of the fever, and in three weeks the infant son died. John Paton buried them alone, and wrote, "But for Jesus . . . I must have gone mad and died beside that lonely grave." One of the gifts that Jesus had given him to sustain him in those days were the words his wife spoke shortly before her death. She did not murmur against God, or resent her husband bringing her there. Rather she spoke these incredible words, "I do not regret leaving home and friends. If I had it to do over, I would do it with more pleasure, yes, with all my heart" (Fifty Missionary Heroes, by Julia Johnston, 1913, p. 153). This reminds me of the words of Job, when in the midst of extreme hardship he said, “when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold”! Such faith is inspiring, is it not. To look back on life’s trials with the attitude that should such a situation come my way again I will run eagerly toward it not from it; that I will embrace it not shrink from it! May God give us the grace to live life with such faith!
Pastor Don.
God’s will is my pleasure
At 32 John G. Paton accepted the call to missionary service in the New Hebrides in the South Pacific. In March 1858 he married Mary Ann Robson, and on April 16 they sailed together for the cannibal island of Tanna. In less than a year they had built a little home and Mary had given birth to a son. But on March 3, 1859, one year after their marriage, Mary died of the fever, and in three weeks the infant son died. John Paton buried them alone, and wrote, "But for Jesus . . . I must have gone mad and died beside that lonely grave." One of the gifts that Jesus had given him to sustain him in those days were the words his wife spoke shortly before her death. She did not murmur against God, or resent her husband bringing her there. Rather she spoke these incredible words, "I do not regret leaving home and friends. If I had it to do over, I would do it with more pleasure, yes, with all my heart" (Fifty Missionary Heroes, by Julia Johnston, 1913, p. 153). This reminds me of the words of Job, when in the midst of extreme hardship he said, “when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold”! Such faith is inspiring, is it not. To look back on life’s trials with the attitude that should such a situation come my way again I will run eagerly toward it not from it; that I will embrace it not shrink from it! May God give us the grace to live life with such faith!
Pastor Don.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Something to think about.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:8-11)
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday April 24
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” [2 Timothy 4:18]
Paul’s journey to the heavenly kingdom was fraught with danger. The devil was intent on destroying this man who once was his slave but was now a preacher of the gospel. So the devil persecuted Paul relentlessly - he had him beaten; he had him stoned and left for dead; he had him driven out of cities and synagogues; he had him thrown in prison, he tried to drown him at sea - but Jesus had kept him safe through it all and Paul was confident that Jesus would bring him safely to heaven. This is Easter Sunday, today we remember that over 2000 years ago Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified two days earlier. Jesus had conquered sin and death, this is why Paul was confident that Jesus would bring him safely into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is king and ruler over all power and authority, therefore the devil could not stop Jesus from bringing Paul safely into His heavenly kingdom and he cannot stop Jesus from doing the same for us! We serve a risen savior and He sits at God the Father’s right hand interceding for us! To Him be “the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Pastor Don.
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” [2 Timothy 4:18]
Paul’s journey to the heavenly kingdom was fraught with danger. The devil was intent on destroying this man who once was his slave but was now a preacher of the gospel. So the devil persecuted Paul relentlessly - he had him beaten; he had him stoned and left for dead; he had him driven out of cities and synagogues; he had him thrown in prison, he tried to drown him at sea - but Jesus had kept him safe through it all and Paul was confident that Jesus would bring him safely to heaven. This is Easter Sunday, today we remember that over 2000 years ago Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified two days earlier. Jesus had conquered sin and death, this is why Paul was confident that Jesus would bring him safely into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is king and ruler over all power and authority, therefore the devil could not stop Jesus from bringing Paul safely into His heavenly kingdom and he cannot stop Jesus from doing the same for us! We serve a risen savior and He sits at God the Father’s right hand interceding for us! To Him be “the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Pastor Don.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Something to think about.
"Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your Word." - Psalm 119:18
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday April 10th
When the role is called up yonder I’ll be there.
The apostle Peter says that Christians are to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within them. What is this hope? It is the hope of eternal life. It is the firm assurance that death is simply a doorway into an eternal day. For those in Christ death has no sting; it has no dread; it is not the “dark unknown” because Jesus has gone on ahead of us. He has tasted death for all who put their faith in Him. All who are in Him will live with Him for all eternity! His resurrection guarantees our resurrection. That’s why I know, as the song says, “When the role is called up yonder I’ll be there.” When God calls Moses’ name, I’ll be there, when He calls the Apostle Paul’s name, I’ll be there, and eventually He will call my name! What a hope! What a glorious destiny! And it’s all ours through the grace of God in Jesus.
Pastor Don.
When the role is called up yonder I’ll be there.
The apostle Peter says that Christians are to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within them. What is this hope? It is the hope of eternal life. It is the firm assurance that death is simply a doorway into an eternal day. For those in Christ death has no sting; it has no dread; it is not the “dark unknown” because Jesus has gone on ahead of us. He has tasted death for all who put their faith in Him. All who are in Him will live with Him for all eternity! His resurrection guarantees our resurrection. That’s why I know, as the song says, “When the role is called up yonder I’ll be there.” When God calls Moses’ name, I’ll be there, when He calls the Apostle Paul’s name, I’ll be there, and eventually He will call my name! What a hope! What a glorious destiny! And it’s all ours through the grace of God in Jesus.
Pastor Don.
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