"Jude, part 2" July 16th

We know the history of Israel. God’s chosen people. They were saved out of many horrific circumstances, but if they refused to obey, or made their life one of complaining, God’s judgment rolled on them still.

But, pastor, we are in the New Testament. Doesn’t God forgive us for the transgressions we commit?

The answer of course is yes, but what about those that are continually complaining, never satisfied, or simply treat Jesus as a casual acquaintance or just “tolerate” His presence as an insurance policy against hell?

Heb 2:3 puts it like this, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation.

We can not play fast and loose with the Gospel and not expect God to honor what His son has done. His Son, Jesus, made a way that is free and clear for us to embrace and follow. If we ignore or lessen our responsibility to live up to God’s expectations of us, where do we hope to turn?

Jude is reminding us of our place and therefore of our choices. We are free to think and act differently than all others, because our Savior paid the price to set us free.

Don’t let anything get in the way.

Pastor Brent

"Jude" July 9th

Jude was the Lord’s brother, (one of four), and one which wrote a letter concerning the state of the church.

He wanted to write about salvation and such, but was compelled by the state of the church, which was being overrun by those who did not have the best interests of God’s kingdom in mind, to address this urgent issue.

As he starts his letter, he mentions being James' brother but not the Lord’s.  It would be pretty intimidating to have been Jesus’ brother and not recognized His status until He had risen from the dead.

But, at least he did, and went on to be a preacher of the Gospel.  Quite a bold one in fact, as we read what he brings to the table.

A lot of us like to come to a smorgasbord of Christianity and take what we want from the offering laid out before us.  But walking with God, knowing God, means going through the fire and the storm and being faithful to hear Him in both.

Let’s let Jude speak and see if the Bible is still relevant today.  Okay?

Pastor Brent 

"Attributes of God" July 2nd

   As we conclude our study of the Attributes of God.  It is recognized that we could spend the rest of time delving into His Greatness.

But we will end with three things that we should be grateful for:
God’s infinite mercy
God’s infinite grace
God’s infinite patience

These three things provided for by the life of Jesus Christ;  through the power of His amazing life, and the Spirit, which He left us when He gave up His life for us.

Mercy, grace, and patience to see us through all that this world can throw at us.

This, in addition to the things we have already spoken about should really give us the confidence to live a life to the fullest in Christ.

How are we ever stuck in the depths of despair when all of these things are available to us and for us?

The only reason is, because we forget about all these things.  We lose of the purpose and will of God.

Remember, God is all powerful, God is all knowing and God is ever present.  And, He is all things in addition to Grace, Mercy, and Patience.

It’s the perfect combo for salvation for us as humans.
Take the gift and remember the Giver
         Pastor Brent 

"Attributes of God" June 25th

Let’s look at three this morning and determine if we are even close to capturing what God encompasses.

God is infinite. God is self-sufficient. And, finally, God is immutable. (He doesn’t change)

So, if God is all these things (which, you know, He is) then how are we to relate, when we are so not these things?

We are not infinite, but very finite and subject to accidents and disease. We have a very limited shelf life but are promised the infinite that God has if we treasure this gift to Himself He has given.

We are not self-sufficient, but rather very dependent on circumstances, weather, mood, health, monetary circumstances and other factors that make us very dependent on other people, and God Himself.

We are certainly not immutable. We change our opinion so as to fit the room, or we stubbornly hold on to an opinion that makes us look ridiculous because of its antiquity. Not that old ideas are not of value but some aren’t. Le,, the world is flat.

So, let’s determine to see if we can relate to a God who is all of these things and can still be a factor, or rather the factor in how we live our lives, and what a comfort these things should be.

Infinitely yours,

Pastor Brent

"God is Love" June 18th

The first time love is used in scripture, it is about Abraham taking Isaac to sacrifice him.

“Take your son, your only son, Isaac and offer him.” It would be the hill where eventually the temple would be built on.

God called Abraham to be a predecessor to Himself, by asking Abraham to be willing to sacrifice his own son.

And, in spite of Abraham’s love for Isaac, he was willing to do that for God.

Love is not about us sacrificing for our loved ones (even though we might be called on to do so) it is about us being willing to give them up to God.

Abraham knew God’s promises for Isaac, and he was willing to go to the extreme because he believed that God was capable of fulfilling His promise, even if that meant raising him from the dead.

I’m afraid we, as parents or friends, try to shield or codify the children or people around us rather than trusting that God has the better plan.

“Oh but it’s cruel what they are going through!” Yeah, it might be, but it’s better than spending eternity apart from God because of your misplaced and misguided comfort now.

God is love. You will never out pace the love of God.

Trust in His love because it is pure.

Pastor Brent

"The Omni’s of God" June 11th

 This morning we are going to look at one of the unique things about God….the Omni’s

He is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent.  He is everywhere, all-knowing, and all-powerful.

What does that do for us?  Well, if you knew what was going to happen, had the strength and capability to handle it, and were definitely going to be in the area, wouldn't you feel like nothing could ever happen to you except that which was supposed to?

I hope your answer was yes, because that is the relationship God wants with us.  Not one of fear because He knows everything, but one of relief that He does.  Not one of fear because He is all-powerful, but one of calm because He is.  Not one of dread because He’s always observing, but one of comfort because He’s always looking in.

We have a spiritual relationship with a Father who is always doing what is best for us, but we don’t spend enough time appreciating these very facts.  Instead we worry about what might be out there to take us down.

Wouldn’t our time be better used knowing these attributes and thanking God for being who He is, and that he has let us know how much we mean to Him?  The answer to that question is yes.

Omni-optimistically yours,

Pastor Bren

"Attributes of God" June 4th

What are the main points about God? If you were to describe God to a non-believer, or even a believer, what would you say?  What would you emphasize?

And, a more important question would be; is that how God would want Himself described?

Hello, by the way.  Seems like a long time since we have been together.  I hope you had a great Memorial day weekend and that you enjoyed both speakers.

On the sign out front I put, “I’m a jealous God”.  It’s a quote from the Old Testament when God is explaining what he thinks about idols.

It’s one of the attributes I’m talking about.  Would you have included this one?  Probably not something you should lead with, but it is there.  What does it mean?  Is it a bad thing?  Is God petty and toxically possessive like some people? No, but we still need to understand what this passage means to capture all the attributes of God.

If your first answer was, “God is love”, you’re not wrong, just incomplete.  Let’s see if we can fill out more of who God is so we are better prepared to tell about Him.

Pastor Brent

"Moms" May 14th

At the hand of a perhaps 16 year old girl, the Lord was raised up into the man who would manifest the epitome of God’s love and grace.

How did God know she was the one? First, she was a woman who listened to what was said, considered who was saying it, and gave respect to eht being sent by God.

Mothers have a special kind of patience tha fathers don’t possess, and it really does take both parents to work as it should.

We will look this morning at a few mothers in the Bible who are a special breed even among regular mothers.

Satan is desperately working to destroy the special bond women have with their babies by making abortion about body control.

Abortion isn’t about that , it is about sexual promiscuity and lust. Scripter says, “Many will fall away in the last days driven by their own lusts.”

It’s not freedom when you take someone’s life to make your own life easier.

Mother’s are special. We celebrate all those who have taken the time, prayed the prayers, and made the sacrifices necessary to raise children.

Blessed are you

Pastor Brent

"WILL YOU BE IN HEAVEN? 2 Peter—Final May 7th

Some of you might be saying, “Pastor, that was the end of 2 Peter, why are we having another lesson?”
Because we’re not quite done.  Simple as that.
I have a question for you. What kind of people are going to be in heaven?
Will stubborn, willful people who refuse the teaching of the Lord going to be in heaven? Will those who continually scheme how to use people be in heaven?  Will those who think they have everything figured out and live their lives for themselves be in heaven?
I’m afraid the answer is no.  We want to believe it’s the greatest of sinners who are the only ones to miss the opportunity  of heaven, but Jesus was most harsh on the people who thought they knew what God wanted, but were merely lining their pockets and propping up their positions in the church.
God is looking for humility and a spirit willing to be taught.  That is who will be in heaven.  The person who doesn’t really think they belong, so they do everything in their power to listen to what God is saying.
We need this final lesson in Peter to ask ourselves, truly ask ourselves, of the state of mind we have toward the mind and passion of Christ.
Do you see yourself in heaven?
Pastor Brent

“2 Peter - Part 4” - April 30th

 How do we handle a world where people will straight up tell you that up is down and black is white?
What do we do when we live in a world that worships sex more than anything else with maybe the exception of money?
If we want to be followers of Christ, we even more get into what living in the spirit and not the flesh means.  Having a relationship with God means living in this world but not being of it.  Which means literally not having this world in you.
You have probably heard the term come out of the world, and that’s really what it means.  Come out from their  thinking, come out from their living, come out from their influences and choose to listen to God’s voice.
I’m afraid that world is a lost cause. Jesus was worried about finding faith on the earth when He returned, and if the faithful such as we don’t uphold the Truth, then the truth will be lost, or, at best, watered down so weakly that it no longer represents the Word.
Peter reminds us that there are dangers, even in the church.  But that doesn’t mean that is what we’re looking for, but rather that we make the Truth and the Light so bright that the fakers are exposed for who they truly are in an obvious manner.
Bless you all for seeking the Truth, seek it rather than trying to destroy the other.  God will uphold His Word and protect it.  He will pull down those strongholds as we walk in the Light.
Be strong and very courageous, for God walks with you to will and to do His good pleasure.
Pastor Brent